December Exclusive - "Christmas Glow" - Part 1 of 2

New Albany, Ohio

Madison sits in the driver’s seat of the white Ford Escape. “When I get my own car,” she says, “it won’t be basic like this.” She considers the possibilities and then turns to Abbie. “I should get a truck. Like an old-timey one.”

Abbie laughs. There’s a good reason why they’re in the driveway. There’s a great reason why the Ford’s engine is on, but the vehicle hasn’t moved an inch. “Hold your horses,” says Abbie. “You even got your permit?”

Sweet-sixteen Madison looks through the windshield, plants her hands on the 10 and 2 of the steering wheel. If she were actually going anywhere, she’d have to change out of her red Christmas sweater, jeans, and Vans sneakers. (She’s only wearing the sweater with the scarfed reindeer to please her parents). But as it is, visiting with Abbie in the relative privacy of her mom’s SUV, she doesn’t need to make a fashion effort. “I’m old enough. I could get it tomorrow.”

Abbie, her neighbor and classmate who is even less dressed to impress, says “Maybe focus on your SATs? They’re just around the corner.”

Madison sits back in her seat. “I can think about more than one thing. I’m not a dum-dum.” She gives Abbie a cross-eyed smile and earns a giggle for her trouble.

Abbie says, “I guess that’s why we’re sitting in your mom’s car and not in your room, studying.”

Madison sniffs. “We’re in the car because it’s the only place I can get some privacy.” She scowls into the rearview mirror, before applying a fresh layer of lip gloss. “My olds have been all over me, ever since I gave them my Santa list.” She makes a kissy face at her reflection and then sits back again, satisfied.

Abbie groans. “Seriously? You’re still doing that?”

“What? I’m not allowed to ask for things? It’s been a tough year, my grades are on track, I should get a reward.” Madison looks through the windshield blue skies and the occasional passing car. New Albany’s five-day forecast isn’t promising a white Christmas.

Abbie pulls on the strings of her hooded top. “Aren’t you a little old for writing to Santa?”

Madison gives her another cross-eyed look. “Duh, I know he’s not real. Doesn’t mean I can’t use it to get stuff.” She pats Abbie’s hand. “You don’t get it because you guys don’t celebrate Christmas.”

Abbie nods sagely. “Jewish people tend to give that holiday a miss.”

Madison shakes her head. “Sucks for the kids.”

Abbie sniffs. “You’ve got two holidays. Christmas and Easter. We celebrate Hanukkah, Purim and Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot-“

Madison waves at her friend. “Okay, I get it.”

“So don’t feel sorry for me. I’m the one who should feel sorry for you.”

Madison snorts with laughter. Nobody has ever felt sorry for her; the prettiest girl in class, every other girl wants to be her. That goes surely for Abbie, the plain girl from next door, who as far as Madison can tell, is practically anonymous at school.

She doesn’t say that out loud, of course. It would be harsh. It would be terrible optics. She pulls her hair out of her scrunchie and pulls her fingers through it. Everybody likes Madison, because she’s pretty, and she’s nice, and she never says what she really thinks of people.

She turns up the AC and gets a blast of sweet-smelling air freshener from the vents. “Christmas spice,” she says. “My mom is so cheugy.”

Abbie says, “Besides, just because we don’t celebrate Christmas, I still got presents from Santa. But that was when I was a little kid. We’re not little kids anymore.”

“I know.”

“Are you leaving out a carrot for the reindeer on Christmas Eve?”

“No-oh.”

Abbie stares at her. “You are, aren’t you.”

Madison blushes. It doesn’t hurt, the red color in her cheeks. She just looks cuter, if anything. She rests her hands in her lap. “Since I turned sixteen, the olds have been on at me about taking responsibility, about –“ Madison makes rabbit fingers  -“earning it.” She gives a little shudder. “But Daddy can’t resist his little girl, so I wrote a little list for Santa, I handed it over, and he got a soppy look on his face and said he’d make sure Santa got it. So sure, if I have to leave a carrot for Rudolph and his crew, I’ll do it.” She looks at Abbie. “You don’t have to look so disgusted.”

“You’d rather your parents think of you as a dependent little girl than a young adult?”

Madison shrugs. “Just saying I flex my daddy-daughter skills when I need ‘em.”

“So, what’s on your Santa list? Wait, don’t tell me. It’s the ‘old-timey’ truck...”

“Actually, the truck is for when I ace my SATs. For Christmas, let’s see…” She spreads her fingers and prepares to count things off.

Abbie’s eyes widen. “How long is this list?”

“It’s just a few things. Jeez! There’s the make-up fridge…”

“The what?”

“I can keep my make-up from getting warm, silly. It’s got a mirror so I can check my look before going online.” If Madison was going to be totally honest with Abbie, she would point out that Abbie could do with a make-up fridge as well. In fact, Abbie could do with some make-up. Why doesn’t she try to make the best of what she’s got?

But Madison doesn’t say things like that. Instead, she continues, “There’s the blue light wand.”

“Translate, please.”

Madison laughs. “How can you not know? It’s all over TikTok.” She waves at her face. “Less pimples.”

“And how much is a magic wand?”

“It’s blue light. It’s science!” She shrugs. “Maybe a hundred bucks.”

“Bargain.”

“You sound like my mom.”

“What else?”

“Umm…paddock boots.”

“Padded boots?”

“Paddock. Like for when you’re at the horse stables.”

“You don’t ride. Or are you asking ‘Daddy’ for a pony?”

“No-oh! They’re meant for the stables, but look super cute with dresses in real life.”

Abbie exhales. “Ah, real life.”

Madison sticks out her tongue.

“Come on, finish the list.”

“Just stocking stuffers, really. A mini projector, so we can show movies on the basement wall.” She grins. “We could do a whole Stranger Things night!” By ‘we,’ she means her crowd. The chances of Abbie getting an invitation are decidedly slim. “An Apple pencil, which would be good for studying so really it’s like an investment in my education…and then just some clothes and stuff. Oh, and then a couple of things that aren’t deal-breakers, but would be nice, you know? Like a 3-D printer and a GoPro camera.”

Abbie looks astonished.

“What? It’s just a list, they don’t have to get me everything on it.”

“Wow. No wonder…”

“No wonder what?”

Abbie purses her lips. “Nothing.”

“You’re not asking your parents for anything?”

“There’ll be some Hanukkah gifts, but they’ll be surprises. I don’t really need anything. I’m making money from the babysitting.”

Madison groans. Looking after snot-nosed little kids is the last things she needs. But that’s one suggestion her father had a few months ago. How about a part-time job? Just like How about spending less time with your ring light and more time with your books? And then, just last week, If you need to be so social, how about you spend time with Abbie? You live next door but you never speak to her!

“Isn’t your dad like a big-time scientist?”

“Neuroscientist,” Abbie replies. “He’s respected in his field, sure.”

“Well, isn’t there money in that?”

Abbie sighs.

“What?”

Abbie bunches her hand in the pocket of her hoodie. “I want my own money because I want my independence.”

“So, you think I’m spoiled.”

Abbie looks out the window. “Didn’t say that.”

Madison pokes her in the arm. “You think I’m boujie.”

Abbie laughs. “Maybe, just a little bit.”

Madison makes a huffing noise. “Why am I even friends with you?”

Abbie laughs harder. “You tell me! You’re the most popular girl in class, why are you wasting your first day of Christmas break with a loser like me?”

Because Dad told me to, Madison doesn’t say. Because he wants to see my ‘generous spirit’.

Her hand finds its way into Abbie’s pocket and their fingers interlink. “Because you’re the only one who tells me the truth.”

Abbie scoffs in response, but she doesn’t pull her hand away. “Well, to tell you the truth, I think you should take your Santa list back.”

Madison smiles. “You just don’t get it, fam.”

“Get what?”

“How the world works.”

This time, Abbie takes her hand away. She takes out her iPhone and Madison sees that it’s one of the older models.

She looks stung. And that’s why Madison shouldn’t say what she really thinks. Because now it’s awkward. Because now it’s big yikes.

“You know what?” Abbie asks, waking up her phone.

Madison wrinkles her nose. There’s going to be some honest coming her way. She’s going to have to go back into the house and tell her father that No, she’s not going to be spending quality time with the neighbor girl.

“I can’t decide,” says Abbie, “whether you’re super naïve or super cynical.”

“I’m…” Madison struggles for a reply. She doesn’t want any more honesty; she doesn’t need any more trouble. She smiles. “I’m just me!”

“Right,” says Abbie slowly, “So, you’re cool hanging with me.”

Madison laughs. “Sure!” She shrugs. “I’m right here, aren’t I?”

“I think we’re in your mom’s car because you don’t want to be seen with me. I think when we’re back in school, you’re going to ghost me.”

It’s Madison’s turn to look stung. “Hey! I would never…” Because she’s not a mean girl. Because everybody likes her. She shakes her head. “We’re friends.”

Abbie looks at Madison thoughtfully and then holds up her phone. “So, I can take a selfie, and that’s cool?”

Madison beams. “Of course!” She tilts the rearview mirror. “Let me just- “

And it’s funny. Because Abbie responds by squeezing her eyes shut, and then she takes the picture.

For a moment, Madison is blind.

The brightest light, and then darkness, and then Madison can see normally again.

Sort of. Kind of.

“Wasn’t ready,” Madison says, pouting. “You better…” Take it again?

No. Forget the photo. Madison has something bigger on her mind. She stares into the rearview. “Look,” she says softly. She points at her reflection with an unsteady finger. “Look.”

Abbie nods, looking straight into Madison’s eyes. “How you feeling?”

“Everything’s all…it’s all bright,” Madison whispers. She looks at herself. Her eyes feel wide as saucers, and her pupils appear dilated. And everything else? The dashboard lights, Abbie’s smiling face, the world outside the SUV. Every single thing is bright.

She groans, because it’s amazing, but it’s also too much. Too much to comprehend. “It’s so bright,” she mutters.”

“Bright?” echoes Abbie blandly, as if they’re discussing paint colors at Ace Hardware. “That’s nice.”

“And sparkly,” Madison adds, because it’s clear that Abbie isn’t getting it. Because she closed her eyes? Didn’t Abbie do that, before she took the picture? Before the whole world got bigger, and prettier, but also overwhelming.

“Huh,” Abbie says. “Cool.” And she strokes Madison’s hair out of her face. “What a pretty girl you are,” she says gently. “All sugar and spice, aren’t you.”

Madison smiles in response, she smiles and nods and is on the verge of giggles, and then she grunts. She pushes Abbie’s hand away. “Wasss…whas goin’ on?”

“Hmmm?”

“The brights!” Madison raises her voice in frustration, and she arches her back, pushing against the headrest. “Why’s….why’s it?”

Abbie laughs gently. “That’s just your Christmas glow, sweetie. Your glow-up, sis.”

Madison understands. It’s her Christmas glow. A bright sparkle to her vision that has left with eyes like saucers and her mouth hanging open. “D’you….do…you….see it too?”

Abbie shakes her head. “It’s only for good girls who believe in Christmas magic and Santa.” She puts a finger under Madison’s chin. “You believe in Santa, don’t you Maddie.”

Madison feels herself nod. Or is it Abbie, nudging her head up and down, controlling her like a puppet? Either way, it’s a relief to have the brights and sparkles explained. The perfect dots of light at the edges of her vision that make everything so pretty but also everything almost too much.

“It’s…it’s…” Madison can’t finish the sentence; she can barely begin it. How can she explain how she feels? She’s empty and overflowing at the same time. She has learned a wonderful secret and yet also been left in the dark.

What happens next?

She looks to Abbie. Nice, calm, smiling Abbie.

She swallows. “I don’t know what to do,” she whispers.

Abbie nods sympathetically. “I know. It’s lovely to glow, but it can be a little big scary.” She presses the car ignition switch and pockets the key fob. “Let’s go next door, I’ll look after you.” She smiles at Madison. “Okay?”

Madison nods. “Okay.”

“Good girl.” She waits, hands clasped nervously in front of her, while Abbie gets out, walks around the car, and then opens the driver side door. Madison isn’t sure she can move, let alone walk, but holding hands with Abbie, she finds it easy enough to walk across the yard and then into Abbie’s home.

“Is your…are your mom and dad home?” Madison asks nervously. She doesn’t want to speak to people right now, she doesn’t want to have to answer questions. How could she answer even something simple, like how she is? Or who?

“Dad’s home,” replies Abbie, “but he’s busy in his office.” She leads Madison into the living room and lets her collapse onto the sectional.

Abbie picks up the TV remote and sits down beside Madison, putting a friendly arm around her shoulders. “Let’s watch a movie.”

Madison points at the window. “Whassat?” She’s drawn to the light, the sparkling brights.

“That’s a menorah,” Abbie says slowly. “It has nine lights. We light it during the holiday. Our holiday.” And then she taps the remote. “Oh, this is perfect.”

Madison turns her attention to the TV. There’s a colorful cartoon animated scene with small children, and a cheerful song to go with it. Madison stares. “Whassat?” she whispers.

“That,” Abbie announces grandly, “is Cocomelon. Which is a TV show I turn on for the little kids when I’m watching them.”

Madison watches as the story unfolds. Something very simple, something very repetitive. About a puppy that wants to be with every member of the cartoon family.

Madison smiles. She points towards the TV. “Puppy!” And then she blushes. Because she’s not supposed to be watching this, she’s not a little-

“It’s the perfect show for good little girls who believe in Santa,” says Abbie.

Madison tears her attention away from the screen to look at Abbie’s kind face. “Is…issit…I wanna…”

Abbie cuddles her. “Sweet girl, I can’t wait to tell your daddy how good you’re being. And you know who your daddy will tell, don’t you.”

Madison shakes her head, wide-eyed. Madison doesn’t know much of anything.

“Santa, of course!” Abbie giggles. “Think of all the lovely presents Santa’s going to leave you. Because you’re such a good girl. You’re Daddy’s little girl, aren’t you.”

It’s Madison’s turn to giggle. “Daddy tell!” she agrees, far more loudly than she had intended.

“That’s right,” says Abbie. “You’re such a happy girl, because you’re with me, and I’m your favorite babysitter, aren’t I.”

Madison hesitates. Is that who the nice girl is?

Abbie gives her a squeeze. “I’m your favorite babysitter, and you’re good as gold for me.” She smiles. “Good as glow.”

Madison sighs as the idea slides perfectly into her mind. “Uh-huh,” she says, beaming at Abbie. “Yuh my fav’rit.”

“Good girl,” says Abbie. And they sit together on the couch, perfectly content to watch the story on the TV about the happy puppy and the singing family. And it doesn’t take long before Madison feels so comfortable and content, safe in Abbie’s arms, that despite the sparkling glow of the candelabra and the TV screen, Madison drifts off to sleep.

To be concluded...after Christmas...🎄😊