𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐓 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐓𝐓- 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝟏

Express Christmas!

"Okay, well what about next weekend 'cause we don't leave till the 21st right"? Mitch asked interrupting us and looking at a nodding Uncle Cam. "We leave tomorrow and don't come back until the 21st" Claire added. "Hey, math club can you get me some more lemonade"? Hayley asked. "Are we saying this is the last time we're all gonna be together as a family. . .until after the holiday's"? Claire asked.
"And for you two maybe ever" Luke teased as I slapped him on the arm.

"Well this stinks" Mitch whined. "Yeah, we can't do this"! Uncle Cam complained. "We always spend Christmas together" Claire added. "Who dreamed this up"? Jay sighed. "Yeah, we have to do something about it. It's Julie's second Christmas" Uncle Cam insisted. "Ho, ho, hold up a sec. We're all free today. We've got a four hours to shop, cook and wrap, get a tree. By tonight we could be celebrating Christmas, right"? Phil explained. "I guess we could do that" Mitchell shrugged. "Of course we can"! I cheered earring a smile from Phil. I admired Phil as he never gave up. "Have you ever heard of express Christmas? . . . NO, no you haven't because I just invented it. Express Christmas TM. It's when you can't have it on Christmas day. . ." Phil began to explain. 

"Everyone in the house! We'll make I plan"! I yelled cutting Phil off. "Time is running out-Ow ow ow. . .it's just too hot"! Phil complained as he walked on the concrete bare foot. 

---

"So where really doing this huh"? Jay sarcastically asked, "Yes, Dad. Let's go" Claire sighed. "'Cause I had stuff lined up for Christmas Eve" Jay whined, "Yeah, Jay it's Manny's and Julie's last chance to enjoy a family Christmas" Gloria frowned. 

"Until next year you mean"? Manny asked worriedly. "Well, with all the snatchings. . ." Luke began, "Get out of his head Luke"! I yelled. "Okay, who's gonna get the tree"? Phil asked. "Oh, oh, I will, I will" Mitch cooed. "Because, you know, get the wrong kind, people upset" Mitch added to his sentence. "You get upset" Claire mumbled. 

"I'm people" Mitch added. "Fine, I'll get the turkey. What about gifts"? Phil asked. "Jay, did we finish shopping"? Gloria asked, "Yeah, but we're not wrapped" Jay nodded. "Oh, I can help with that. We have a mobile wrapping station. God, has that thing paid for itself" Uncle Cam smiled. 

"Really? 'Cause I feel like I paid for it" Mitch frowned. "Okay, We've got lights and ornaments at our place" Phil told us. "Oh, you know what'd be great is the angel" Mitch smiled, "The Angel"! Claire repeated. "Yeah, where is it"? 

"Gloria, it's up in your attic will you get it"? Mitch asked, "Ay, no not the attic"! Gloria yelled. "It's dirty and there are spiders" I added. "Oh, but it really won't be Christmas without it" Mitch frowned. "It won't be Christmas with it. . .it's December 16th" Jay scowled. "Luke will help Gloria. He's not scared" Phil smiled, "Oh, good you won't find me in any attic" Manny sighed. "That's where they might find you" Luke sneered. "Mom"! Manny cried. 

"Uh, I have a party tonight. You promised I could go if I got a B on my test. I studied! I read stuff. What was the point of all that"? Hayley whined, "The point young lady was-" Claire began before Phil cut her off, "Who can remember? Express Christmas will be done by nine. Claire I'll text you the gift list. You and Hayley can do the shopping. Manny, you're coming with me. We're going to get groceries. Dinner our house six o'clock. Let's move! On Dasher on Dancer on Prancer and Vixen"! Phil cheered. "Hey that kind of worked out" Phil smiled. "Jay" Uncle Cam sighed. "Come on Hayley" Claire whined.

It was me, Luke in the attic first, Gloria wasn't actually in the attic she was just watching for the ladders. "Luke"? Gloria yelled. "At what"? Luke asked. When Gloria says, Look it also sounds like Luke, I wanted to see how long it goes on for. "What do you mean at what? I said 'Luke'"? Gloria questions. "We are looking"! Luke shouted from the attic. Gloria was at the bottom of the ladders . "I know you are. . .stay on the beams"! Gloria reminded.