Christmas Star                  by: Paul G. Jutras

 

"Today's the day." Carl James called to his twin sister, Jennifer.

Both of there are just over five feet tall. Both have the same blonde hair and blue eyes. While Jenn was a supernautral freak, Carl was into math and science.

"Love the gangly snowflake earrings." Jen replied. "Let's go downstairs."

It was almost seven. Jennifer and Carl had gotten dress early. Now they were joining their parents in preparing for the family christmas party. He had a bow tie and red Christmas suit while she a red dress with white trim. her holiday nylons had one red leg and one green leg.

"I hope you remember to be polite when the relatives start showing up."

Their mom set a bowl of chips down on a decorative table top.

They looked at the pine Christmas Tree, which stretched up and touched the ceiling. "I wish this day could last forever." he said and she added. "I hope that mom gets me a sister." she remember how her mom talked about having another kid.

As Jennifer went to put some Christmas music, she didn't notice a sparkle from the Christmas star atop the tree.

"When do we get to open the presents?" asked Carl, who was eyeing them like a wolf eye a flock of sheep. He wondered if any of them in back was for his.

"No presents until after dinner," Carl." his mom said sharply. "The more help you are the faster the time goes." she added.

"Please let me open one." Carl begged. "I asked for the Paul G. Jutras book, "Ghost School." I want to know if I got it."

"No."

Mrs. James bent down and handed Carl a plate of devil eggs. "Do me a favor and take this to the other room."

Carl sighed. Taking the food he walked over to the buffet table. He looked at the sandwiches and othe items he couldn't touch until dinner.

"Don't touch the food, Carl. They're not just for you." mom said.

"I know." Carl muttered. "I'm not a little kid anymore."

Jennnifer glanced at the TV. A Christmas special was playing for what seemed the millionith time. It was a musical with Santa's reindeer and snowman family. "Carl," Jennifer said. "Why don't you relax. Mom and me can handle this."

"Are you saying that I'm in the way?" asked Carl.

Will you two just grow up," Mrs. James muttered. "You need to learn to act your age."

"This stuff is for little kids!" Carl said, leaping to his feet.

Carl went upstairs but stepped in his sisters room instead of his own. He leaned close to his mirror reflection and put on some lip gloss.

"What am I doing?" He washed his puzzled face. "That's the problem with being twins. Not only can't you get away from them, you begin to act like them."

He went to his room and put on his favorite CD. He knew it would take a long time to listen to it all. He hoped that by the time it finished dinner would be ready.

When the CD finished, the sound of the Christmas special was still going on. Carl rolled out of a canopied bed with white lace and a pink comforter. He looked down to see he was a girl in the same outfit as his sister.

"Mom!" Carl ran up and hook her mother's arm. "Isn't anyone here yet?" He stared at an almost empty buffet table. "What happened to me?"

"You must be mistaken, Colleen."Jennifer corrected, walking up behind her.

"You only went upstairs a few minutes ago."

Colleen (formally Carl) looked at the wall clock and couldn't believe her eyes. It wasn't even close to seven thiry yet.

"You know most of the family is at holiday mass."Mrs. James said. "That still has a half hour to go."

"Why don't you help with the tree trimmming?" Mrs. James looked up at the tree. Only the top of the tree was done before she went downstairs.

"are you joking?" Colleen said.

"Just keep yourself busy dear." she said. "The time will soon be flying by."

Colleen looked at the box of ornaments. She lifted on of a bear holding a wrapped present. Then she looked down at the presents under the tree and wondered if any in back had her name on it. He had an urge to want ballet slippers.

Colleen rolled her eyes. "Yeah..right." she said. "The time is really flying by."

She glance at the clock. Its hands seemed almost frozen place. Even the second hand seemed to be moving at a snails pace. "At this rate I'll never get to my presents."

"If you're not going to help, go back upstairs." Jen said sharply. "We've got a lot of work to do. The party isn't going to prepare itself."

Taking the box of ornaments from her sister, she stated decorating the tree. Colleen just turned back and saw mom come from the kitchen of colorful christmas cookies.

"I didn't say I wouldn't trim the tree."Colleen grabbed the ornament box back. The two struggled with it and spilled it all over the floor.

"Honestly," their mother snapped. She got down on one knee and started to put them them in a box. "What's gotten into you two?" You're not acting like yourself.'

"She started it." Colleen pointed to her sister.

"did not." Jenn replied.

"Did too."

"I don't care who started it." their mom said sharply. "I just want to stop...now!"

Colleen stared silently at her sister. At the point she wished she was back in school. She loved math class and was sure it was all a dream.

"mom check the clock." Collen said. "Notice anything?"

She looked up at the clock."It's 7 '0 five." She said. "Better get that tree trimmed."

"Wait!" Colleen followed her back to the kitchen."I think the clock is broken.

We started at seven. More time than that has passed.

"I'm not in the mood for jokes." Her mom said, rowning. "I still got tons of things to do before the party begins.

Only Colleen somehow knew that the party would never begin and their day would last a life time.

THE END.

 

 

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