My eyes fluttered open, and sunlight filled my eyes. My skull was still pounding as if I had banged my head against the wall a million times.
Before I could even think about what was going on, I heard Dad singing to himself.
Christmas time is buzzing in my skull.
Will it let me be? I cannot tell.
There's so many things I cannot grasp.
When I think I've got it, then at last
Through my bony fingers does it slip
Like a snowflake in a fiery grip.
There's something here I'm not quite getting.
Though I try, I keep forgetting.
Like a memory long since past,
Here in an instant, gone in a flash.
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
In this little bric-a-brac,
A secret's waiting to be cracked.
These dolls and toys confuse me so.
Confound it all, I love it though.
Simple objects, nothing more.
But something's hidden through a door.
Though I do not have a key,
Something's there I cannot see.
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
What does it mean???
I've read these Christmas books so many times.
I know the stories and I know the rhymes.
I know the Christmas carols all by heart.
My skull's so full it's tearing me apart.
As often as I've read them, something's wrong.
So hard to put my bony finger on.
Zero came up to Dad, holding a picture of the Pumpkin King in his mouth. Dad took it.
Or perhaps it's really not as deep
As I've been led to think.
Am I trying much too hard?
Of course! I've been to close to see
The answer's right in front of me!
Right in front of me
It's simple, really, very clear.
Like music drifting in the air.
Invisible, but everywhere
Just because I cannot see it
Doesn't mean I can't believe it.
Where was Dad going with this...?
You know, I think this Christmas thing
Is not as tricky as it seems.
And why should they have all the fun?
It should belong to anyone!
Not anyone, in fact, but me!
Why, I could make a Christmas tree!
And there's no reason I can find
That I can't handle Christmas time!
I bet I could improve it, too
And that's exactly what I'll do.
Dad pushed the windows open, and I craned my neck to see that Sally, the vampires, and the band players were crowded around the fence, looking worried, Sally especially.
"Eureka!" Dad yelled. "This year, Christmas will be ours!!!"
I clapped my hand over my mouth. Dad? Taking over Christmas?
Everyone at the fence except Sally cheered. I had a feeling this was not going to end well...