All I Want For Christmas Is You

“Why can’t I go with you Cat?” Val asked as she watched me pack the final of my clothing line into the suitcase. “Because the school isn’t paying for you babe. I’d love to bring you, but the school wont pay for it,” Val sighed and ran to grab her little pink suitcase she was taking to Aunt Mae’s. She came back rolling it on the floor, hitting every wall she turned past with the wheels. I giggled at her efforts as I latched my suitcase closed completely.
I went and looked down my packing list and noted everything I had packed, and it seemed to me, like I got everything. That was when I heard a knock at the door. I rushed downstairs and Val followed me to our front door. I peeked through the peephole and saw a skinny blonde lady standing there. I opened the door, and asked who she was. I recognized the voice. It was Aunt Mae. “Go get your stuff bug,” I told Val as I lead her back inside. She grabbed her bag and sprinted towards the outside world. Aunt Mae caught her by the head. “Woah there baby girl. I don’t think you are going anywhere,” she said as Val looked up at her confused. I gave the same look to Aunt Mae as well… What does she mean not going anywhere…
“Here you go,” Aunt Mae said, handing Val a large envelope. “What’s in it?” Val asked, shaking it around like a kid shaking presents on Christmas morning. “It is airplane tickets, a lot of extra cash, and get this… a One Direction backstage pass,” Aunt Mae said with a huge grin plastered on her face. I stared at her astonished. “Did you buy this just so Val could come with us?” I asked her. Aunt Mae shook her head. “I spoke to the school, and they allowed it since there was no other way of helping Val,” she replied, patting Valerie’s head. “The school bought them especially for her,” Aunt Mae added. “OH MY GARSH!” Val said as she opened the envelope and saw a backstage pass in it. “Is this real?” she asked, stroking the plastic covering of the pass. “Well… I hope so!” Aunt Mae answered, pulling her purse strap up her arm again. Val giggled and ran inside with the large envelope. “Tell my mom I said I miss her and love her and I want her to come home soon,” I told Aunt Mae as I gave her a big hug. “Oh darling, I will. And she is helping us so much in this time of tragedy,” Aunt Mae said, not letting go.
As Aunt Mae got into her car and drove off, I turned to Val who was sitting on a bar stool at the kitchen counter. She was looking at the contents of the envelope Aunt Mae gave her. “Here, I don’t want these,” Val said, handing me the airplane tickets and cash. “Val, these are more important than the pass,” I said giggling, knowing she just liked the fact it had One Direction on it. Val played with the lanyard and looked back up at me. “I get to go see One Direction!” she said giggling uncontrollably. I nodded and bent down and hugged her. “Me too babe,” I said as I set my chin on her shoulder. I had a smile on my face.

Notes