Can we play one more level?! Pwetty please! It'll be quick, zoom-zoom!
Yes! I promise, no more than five minutes! Let's go, let's go, let's go! rushes to the game console and starts playing
…..later….hey Joey its already 3am
Oh... um... I didn't realize it was so late... But just five more minutes, please? I'm really close to beating this level!
oh alright but after this level your going to bed…got it?
But... but... I don't want to stop playing! Can't we just play a little longer? Please, pretty please?
NO!!!no is finali say very sternlynow turn it off right now!you need to be in bed and i think you know whywink wink
pouts and crosses arms Fine! But it's so unfair! turns off the game console and sighs
Alright time for your favorite lullabyJoey’s mom called the song”beautiful boy”as it is very fitting since Joey has a high-pitched voice when he sings it
But... I don't want to listen to a stupid lullaby! I want to play games! This is so boring!
Hey!that’s enough mister!i say raising an eyebrowyour about to go see santa claus if you don’t behave yourselves.he gives me that look of shockwhat?Santa?but he…..he pausesi can’t tell youi say teasingly
Joey's eyes widen and his mouth drops open Wait, wait, wait! You know Santa Claus? How do you know Santa Claus? Tell me! Tell me everything!
Ok ok since when did you become curious hm?hmm?smirk
leans in closer, eyes shining with curiosity Come on, tell me! I promise I won't tell anyone! What do you know about Santa Claus?
Hmm…..how about we make a deal?since you have been such a bad boy tonight i want you to confess something first
swallows nervously Uhh... okay, fine. What do you want me to confess?
This i raise my index finger
bites his lip, thinking hard Okay, okay... I confess. There's something else I want to ask Santa Claus. Something... personal.
I want Santa to bring me a new bike. A shiny, red, racing bike with streamers on the handlebars.
i roll my eyesoh please like you would ever follow through with it….a few years ago my brother asked santa for a remote controlled robot dog worth hundreds of dollars and ya know what?he got itsighanyways back to the topic at hand here…….confess something first i raise my index finger again
squirming in his seat Okay, okay... Fine. The truth is, I've been sneaking out of the house at night to play games without anyone knowing.
my eyebrows raise and i smirki figured you wouldhis smirk turns into a grinwell now that we’ve got that out of the way let’s get back to the deal….i want you to confess something and you shall receive what you’ve desired long for…..
leans forward, wide-eyed What do I need to confess? I'll tell you anything, just tell me what you want to hear.
Hm hm….actually none of your businesssmirkingmy question was a way to keep you busy while i do some important work in the kitchen so who caresgigglesand for that i’ll let you have another half hour and then it’s straight to bed and no complaining because honestly who wouldn’t want a father figure that doesn’t care about them anymorerolls eyesnow scram so i can cookpet pats his head
Joey's face lights up with a big smile Thank you, thank you! I'll be off then! I'll make sure to be quiet and not cause any trouble.
30 minutes pass by and i bring food to joey’s roomnow since the time has passed and our deal is complete you can go to sleepmy voice travels through the slightly open doori hope you enjoyed the little peace offeringsmirksgoodnight dear!don’t be naughtypulls out a snack and starts eating at the kitchen counter
Joey jumps off the bed, his eyes gleaming with excitement Wow, thank you! This is the best deal ever! You're the best, Youric! As Joey settles into bed and falls asleep, he dreams of his shiny new bike, the thrill of racing down the street, and the feeling of freedom and adventure.
meanwhile i eat a few chips before settling down into my bedroom next to Joey’s room for the night
the next morning, Joey wakes up early and jumps out of bed, stretching his arms and yawning Good morning, Youric! Did you sleep well?
Oh hey Joey i sleep pretty well consideringsmirksdid you sleep well my little child?i say as i turn on the kitchen light getting ready to start breakfast
yawns and rubs his eyes Yeah, I slept great! I had the best dream about my new bike. It was so cool!
Ah so you actually did go to sleepyawns softlyrare now dayslaughsi guess deals workgiggles a bitoh hey its already passed noon?i guess today must be a very special day?i hear chimes coming from outside….do you hear that?points towards the door
perks up and listens, his ears twitching Wait... What's that sound? It sounds like... sleigh bells?
Ooh now that’s intriguing now days mostly everyone has stopped celebratingi say opening the doorwell damn maybe santa isn’t dead…..it seems to be him delivering presents at this hour….or…..or…..a copy cat……but wouldn’t that mean the real santa claus has been cloned……that would mean…..my clone exists……i mutter under my breath as i open the door santa claus waves his jolly arms as he smiles at me happilyhey youric!your a little earlier then usualsmirksyep santa it’s usually later at this houri say casually as i grab him by the arm bringing him insidei didn’t expect to see you today well especially when i had to clone myself yesterdayi say under my breath making santa chucklei see you got yourself a new assistant lately?i smirk making santa blushi haven’t seen you since before you cloned yourselfi mutter under my breath
Joey's eyes widen in amazement as he sees Santa Claus in the doorway No way! It's really Santa! I can't believe it!
santa chucklesi suppose there’s not much else it could be
Joey rushes forward and hugs Santa tightly, tears streaming down his face Santa! It's really you! I can't believe it! I've missed you so much! Santa: Santa returns Joey's hug, his face glowing with warmth Joey, my dear boy, I'm so happy to see you too. I've missed you just as much.
giggles and blushesi didn’t think you would like meblushes even morei always thought you were one of the cooler adults in the neighborhoodyou notice him blush even moreoops…blushing much?laughs slightlyyes joey it seems santa claus doesn’t mind having a kid at this age…..i guess one can never have too many kids……right joey?laughs again this time smirking at santai agreei say slowly smiling as i start to take out ingredients for cinnamon rollsi never thought i’d have this kind of personality eithersmirks even moreoops….oh well…..but santai say whisperingi’ve always thought of you in a different way……..i hope you understandsilence…..uhh……what would you like to do santa?(i say changing the subject
Joey pulls away from Santa, looking both excited and nervous Santa, I... I have something to tell you. I've been... I've been keeping a secret. Santa: Santa looks at Joey with concern and curiosity Oh, Joey, what is it? You can tell me anything.
i stand behind the kitchen island watching with my eyebrows raisedwell go ahead and speak up young mansmirks
takes a deep breath and speaks with determination Santa, I've been keeping a secret because... because I believe in you. I believe in magic.
….slowly blinks in shocksorry wha….wha…what?leans on counter confusedi…i….um…..who else do you believe in?i say talking to myself making santa chucklei suppose when one has seen santa claus everyday since childhood they begin to think he’s reali say whispering to myselfoh hey santa you forgot to mention you can hear what people say to themselvessanta chuckles lightly and nods slowlyi guess youric is rightsmirksbut do you believe in yourself as well?i raise an eyebrowi believe in me every day, Joey. I believe in the magic of Christmas, and I believe in the power of kindness and generosity.
Joey takes a step forward, his eyes filled with determination Santa, I do believe in myself.