Time-Bound

Chapter 38

December 25th, 2019.

The Barkers house.

It was Christmas and the Barkers had invited the Johnsons for a prayer service.

The house was beautifully decorated with Christmas lights and trees. Few friends of the Barkers had come over and they were singing Christmas Carol's.

“Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright...”

Anthony's eyes were teary and Damon noticed it so he changed the song.

“Jingle bells! Jingle bells. Jingle all the way. Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh...”

They all clapped and hummed the song as Anthony still felt sad.

“Bro, Cheer up!” Damon whispered way too loud.

“Yeah, shh.” Anthony forced a smile.

The crowd continued with the Carol. “White shepherds watched their flocks at night, all seated on the ground. The Angel of the Lord came down and glory shone around....”

The service was over and People started chatting, sharing gifts and hugging themselves.

“Merry Christmas, everyone!” Someone shouted.

“Merry Christmas!” The rest of the crowd cheered.

“So, this is my last Christmas with everyone.” Brenda said.

“Oh please, don't remind us.” Anthony hissed.

“Sorry Daddy.”

After the service was over, everyone left for their respective homes except the Johnsons who stayed a little while longer.

“I'm sorry there's no way we could help you.” Damon sighed.

“You don't have to be.” Victoria said.

“Even if there was something you could do for us, we can't even help ourselves.” Anthony shook his head.

“Forget all these helplessness of a thing. Why don't we look for something fun doing?” Alex asked.

“Like what?” Mercy asked.

“Skating!” Chloe screamed. “It is winter. We can ice skate.”

“That sounds like fun.” Brenda said.

“That's because it is fun.” Alex smiled.

“Who's in?” Chloe asked.

“We are!” Everyone screamed except Anthony who was completely sad.

The Johnsons and the Barkers got out of the house to ice-skate. They were dressed in thick clothes because of the cold.

“Whoosh!” Chloe yelled, throwing some snow on Brenda.

“Ahh! I'm going to get you.” Brenda skated faster, scooping some snow in her hands as she went after Chloe.

“Let's see you catch me.” Chloe laughed as she skated past her parents and Brenda's parents who were just skating in small circles watching them.

“She seems to be having fun.” Damon said.

“Yeah, I see that. But the fun wouldn't last.” Anthony sighed.

“Can't we just quit this pessimism for once?!” Elizabeth yelled.

“Louder! It needs to get through his head. He's always like that.” Victoria hissed.

“Ahhhhhh!”

They all rushed towards Brenda who had fallen from skating too fast in an attempt to catch Chloe and have snow all over her.

“Oh my God! I'm sorry, I'm sorry.”  Chloe cried.

“No, it's fine. It is just ice.” Brenda said.

“No, it's not!” Anthony yelled. “Enough of the fun.”

“Daddy. I'm fine. Someone's bound to fall anyway.” Brenda smiled.

“But not you.” Anthony held her arm. “Get up now, we're going home.”

“If you don't want her skating, we could play with the snow and try to build a snowman then.”  Alex suggested.

“Yes! Yes! Let's do that please!” They pleaded.

“Fine Alright.” Anthony shook his head. “But please be careful.”

“What's there to be careful about in building a snowman?” Damon asked.

“Daddy!” Mercy chuckled.

“What? I'm serious. She has to be careful in everything and I'm watching her.” Anthony hissed.

“Which means you won't be building a snowman?” Brenda asked.

“No.” Anthony shook his head.

“Daddy, this is unbelievable. Instead of you to have a nice time with us all, you're busy doing a bodyguard job.” Brenda said.

“Hey! I'm not your bodyguard.” Anthony yelled.

“Really? Then prove it.” Brenda scooped some snow in her hands and threw it at his face. “Come catch me!”

“You this little brat!” Anthony ran after her as the rest of them got into a snow fight.

“Ha-ha-ha. You are a bodyguard. You can't even get snow on me.” Brenda laughed.

“You'll see.” Anthony scooped snow and aimed at her but she ducked.

“Bodyguard! Bodyguard!! Who is the Bodyguard? You are.” Brenda laughed and started running again.

Anthony ran faster this time, making sure the snow doesn't melt in his hands and finally threw it at her. “Got ya! Now who is the bodyguard?”

“Definitely not you.” Brenda said, falling into the snow as Anthony fell in too. She began swaying are arms and legs up and down and sideways. “You should do this too. It is very comforting.”

Anthony did it and grinned. “Yes, it is.”

“Daddy,”

“Hmm?”

“If I die, promise you won't miss me.”

“How won't I miss you?”

“I know you will but promise you won't miss me to the extent of losing yourself.” Brenda said.

“Fine, I promise.” Anthony sighed.

“Thank you Daddy.” Brenda looked up. “Anytime you miss me, just look up at the sky and you'd find me there amongst the stars.”

“How...?”

“Chloe!” Brenda saw Chloe approaching and scooped some snow and aimed it at her. “Yaay! I got you now.”

“We are even now.” Chloe grinned.

“Let's make our snowman.” Alex said.

“Yes!”

“We are going to compete and see who makes the best snow man.” Chloe said.

“We are going to team up.” Alex said.

“I'm going to be with Brenda, Alex with Mercy, Mum and Dad, and your parents.” Chloe screamed. “Let's get the snow balls rolling!”

“Yes!”