Stories: CVN Contest THIRD PLACE= 200, 000 ccs
As a child i remember best the car rides through the country to Grandma's. We called her Bubba.It was close to Christmas,and we were snowed in. Punxytwaney was a cold Pennsylvania town. As children we were so worried Santa wouldn't find us. That night Bubba heated up bricks in the oven. Wrapped them and put them at the foot of the bed to keep us warm.There was no heat upstairs, and no bathroom.Only an outhouse or a white porcelien potty for nights. The covers weighed heavly on us four kids in this one bed.I recall a army blanket covering the staris so the heat from the one stove, would warm the downstairs. I don't know how, But Bubba had presents for us the next morning. I unwrapped a 5 inch plastic doll with a diaper on her.I was so happy. My brother had a wooden airplane, my older sisters got writing paper. Bubba made handmade noodles and chicken soup for that day. We each got an orange. The roads cleared and we went home. I'll never forget this Christmas and how my Bubba warmed us with her love.
submitted by LadySuzzz ND Inner Realms Dreams Hood
From: hot_mama_6_
Subject: Christmas story entry SECOND PLACE=200, 000 ccs
Christmas will never be the same again. I couldnt believe it when I heard the news. How can something like that be true? All my hopes and dreams blown away with one, bald statement. I know others have heard bad things on Christmas Eve, but to me, this was devastating. I never, ever want to celebrate Christmas again. I was bursting with questions, but I could tell from my mothers face that she didnt want to discuss it further. I wont be the only one wholl have a rotten Christmas. Glum faces sitting across the table,pushing turkey around the plate, staring at the globs of gravy that congeal over the roast potatoes. Feeling the mocking glare of the bright red cranberries. How can I possibly open the presents that wait eagerly under the tree to have their bright wrapping torn away? The shiny paper seems dull and tarnished, the curling ribbon dangling like wisps of straggly beard.
I cant stand it any longer. I want to know all the details. How did you find out? How fast was he driving? Why couldnt I see him one last time? I scream out my anguish in a bursting torrent.
Its not the end of the world you know, my mother soothes. It feels like it to me. Without uttering a word, she knows how I feel. We all remember what its like to find out, she says, But we have to carry on just the same for your sister. Im being drawn into the secret, continuing the pretence, acting as though nothing has changed. 'You're old enough to know the truth,' she continues, 'You're a big boy now.' My older self fights valiantly to hold back the threatening tears, but cannot damn the inner child that remains to wail, 'How can there be no Father Christmas?
Silent Night, Lonely Night FIRST PLACE= 300, 000
pyxidis pixie
Mira looked up and down the street before locking the door of the Merchant Emporium and General Store, just in case there were any last minute customers hurrying to get there. She was the last to leave, having volunteered to keep the Emporium open while the other employees went home to spend Christmas eve with their families. After all some one had to be here for Ernie who forgot batteries for the kids toys, and Angie who's mom hadn't bought enough eggs for the eggnog. She turned up her collar against the snow that danced about her like large downy feathers. Golden pools of light spilled out from the Christmas decorations of the houses she passed on her way home. She walked slowly, glancing in the windows at the Christmas trees and the the families gathered there. One of the good things about small towns like this was how close every one was. In the three years she had been here she had come to know these people very well. She knew crabby Mrs Wilmount knitted all year so no child was without mittens and a hat to help face the Vermont winter. She even knew which church deacon cheated on his income tax, and his wife, but most were good at heart, several had even invited her to drop by Christmas day. Everyone knew she was alone. She enjoyed her job and she liked it here but right now she was feeling a deep emptiness inside. It would be good to be with family on a night like this. She walked slower, reluctant to reach her dark, empty home at the end of the quiet lane. Nothing beyond it but the tall pines of the forest. She wouldn't let herself cry, after all it would just make her lashes freeze. Mira was about to unlock her door when a soft thrumming sound caught her attention. Looking at the forest she saw lights moving among the trees and went to investigate. She quickly raced through the forest to an empty clearing. Over head, just above the tree line, floated a large saucer-shaped craft. Red, green and gold lights raced around it in swirling patterns. Her heart raced as she was caught in a beam of soft light and felt herself gently lifted off the ground, floating upwards towards an opening that now appeared . She could see a ring of faces peering down at her and she could feel their thoughts and emotions washing over her like waves. She glanced once more at the town below, tucked in for the night in it's blanket of snow. "Merry Christmas everyone, I hope to see you all soon" she whispered to them She smiled contentedly as she was swallowed by the craft " I am going home for the holidays"