Happiness unfolds in different ways on festive occasions. Some show their love and joy through gift-exchanges. Some through making it just in time to celebrate festivities with their loved ones; near or far. Some simply enjoy a hot cup of tea or coffee on a cold morning.
Happiness is a state of mind that differs for everyone. For Marissa, it was the snowy morning of Christmas Eve; colorful ornaments on trees at home and bars, The Jersey Joint decked up in colors and streamers with Christmas Menus floating around. It was a vibe of happiness, joy and celebration. Twinkling lights on every end of the room, and Christmas tunes filling up the room’s muffled laughters
Mr. Green’s promise held its end, and the berries were truly delicious once the poison in them was treated. Luscious red, wrapped in velvety green leaves; ready to be attacked by the children. They were all over the bar, decorating every inch. It was a sight to behold; the bar in the center serving drinks to people on stools around it, the timber wood logs making up the walls of the bar, three private booths on each side and open tables to fill up the rest of the space. Christmas vines and mistletoe covering the edges of each wall-side, and a large tree in one corner; sparkling lights, gold and silver ornaments and a crystal star handpicked by Marissa and her mother.
Mr. Green had a son; Jerry. He had joined his father on the trip to JerseyTown. A little boy of 8 years, he was full of excitement on coming to a new town. The setting up at the bar brought father and son down to JerseyTown to overlook the preparations and set-up. With no mother in the picture (alas, she left them too early in life, a victim to a horrendous tumor), Paul decided to invite them to the Christmas Dinner the next day; a way to celebrate and feel joyous. Not one should be left out, his father had taught him.
So they all prepped for Midnight Mass. Marissa was wary of Jerry; he was tall, seemingly naughty and always trying to talk to her. “Mom has said not to talk to strangers, so I do not wish to talk to you!”, she squealed at him.
“But you know my father, and my father knows your father. So, in that case, we become friends too!”, retorted Jerry. Very early in life, he had decided to dislike festivities, because it was in these months that he had lost his mother. Life is hard when instances like this scar you for a lifetime (or perhaps, more?). This made Jerry very Grinch-like. A thing to know about Grinch was; he never hated Christmas, he just couldn’t bear to see so many happy faces at a time. Now, you understand how Jerry probably feels. Sometimes only a ray of sunshine can block out all the darkness we feel in our souls, and free us towards the light. Mmmm, maybe Marissa could be the one for this little boy?
Well, Paul did have to step in, literally. Jerry kept following Marissa, and by the end of it, she blew her top. Paul intervened gently. “Marissa, darling. Why are you not talking to Jerry? He is such a nice boy and he helps Mr. Green with all his work. He never leaves his side!”
“But, Daddy, I barely know him, and he says just because Mr. Green knows you that we should be friends. Mommy said never to talk to people I don’t know”, complained Marissa.
“Oh, my love. Life is difficult in such situations. We must always learn to understand people and then decide whether we should talk to him or not. Jerry is a wonderful boy, and I am sure you will be very happy to play with him. Why don’t you go show him the town Christmas fair?”, calmly explained Paul.
Reluctantly, Marissa took Jerry along to the town fair. There was so much to do! Gingerbread stands, large Candy Canes to play hoops with, painting fests, and who can catch Santa first. Food stands galore, and various shops to enter and see decorations; this was surely the best way to spend an evening. They had to be back by 10PM sharp to get prepared for the Midnight Mass.
They played games with the tokens that Paul had given them, and decided to compete for who gets most of the points. The winner decides his prize, and the loser obliges. They were set on it. Finally, with a tie in points, they came to the candy cane hoops. Marissa and Jerry were both excited, yet competitive. Something must help break the ice, and this was it. They played turns and turns and turns; but still came down to a tie.
“Oh, now the bet is off, and I don’t owe you anything, and neither do you!”, jumped around Marissa. “Oh no no, little girl. I get to take you for ice-cream, to complete the bet.”, quipped Jerry. He was quite excited now, to have met a match of his own cadre. Strong, feisty and just enough enthusiasm to not go over the top.
“Fine, just one ice-cream and we have to be home for Mass prep”, obliged Marissa. They went along to the Santa cart; a lovely man dressed in red and white, as are the lovely colors of Christmas, was ready to serve them some winter-candy ice-cream. They slurped and slurped on it, and trotted home.
Jerry felt happy, after a long long time. It had been a couple of years, and Christmas was mostly a business affair for father and son. But this time, he felt something magical. A flutter in his chest; the kind that every morning waking up to his mother used to bring. He felt light, happy and after a long time, looking forward to Christmas night.
When they arrived back at Marissa’s house, her parents were frantic. Clearly, the long way home was a bad choice. A few more steps to happiness, cost them a yelling. But, it’s the festive season, so all was cleared up eventually. They were ushered into their rooms to get ready. Marissa, in with her mother, to wear a pretty silver and red dress. Dolling up was her favourite part of the season; and now she had someone to share it with too!
When Jerry entered his room, Mr. Green looked frantic. He was so worried about where his son had been. Jerry ran and hugged his father. He began sobbing. Mr. Green looked at him, and worried even further.
“What’s wrong son? Did something happen to Marissa? Did somebody hurt you?”, an agonized Mr. Green inquired. “Daddy, I feel happy today. I feel like Christmas might start being a festival again. Does this mean I am forgetting Mom?”, sobbed Jerry.
For children, it is hard to understand anguish and the aftermath. Just how it is hard to understand that after every storm, there is sunshine. This was Jerry’s sunshine. He felt happy in JerseyTown, and Mr. Green had figured this out.
“My dear boy. I do believe that Christmas will be a great festival for us this year. I have felt happy here. Something has changed in me too. That does not mean we are forgetting our dear Janine. It means that we are learning how to be happy, while still having her deep in our hearts. Your mother was a special woman. The best that could exist. And she would teach us about love and joy. I am so happy that we are finally in a better place, and able to smile.”, explained Mr. Green.
A rainbow is possible in every lifetime. Sometimes twice in the same lifetime, if we are lucky. Mr. Green and Jerry had found their second rainbow in JerseyTown and didn’t want to lose it. Mr. Green promised Jerry that they would move to this magical town, and set up a lifetime to happiness. They resolved to do this, and dressed up like the most handsome father-son duo for a beautiful night ahead!
At Christmas dinner the next day, Mr. Green discussed the prospect of sharing ownership of the bar and setting up a business for festive decor with him too. They were overjoyed to welcome Mr. Green and Jerry to the town, and promised to be of help in every situation, should they ever need. Marissa began warming up to Jerry too; he was going to be her best-friend. They would go on flower-picking hikes, and plan picnics all the time!
Written By Anisha Masand
Week 52, December ’20
