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#Post#: 16302--------------------------------------------------
It Happened One Christmas Chapter Nine
By: Jack Date: December 8, 2019, 4:59 pm
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My face was suddenly hot and my jaw was clenched. It wasn’t
until my hand started to hurt, and I realized how tight I was
squeezing the hand warmer that I realized I was really mad.
Why was I mad?
It wasn’t until I asked the question that I realized I was upset
with Charlie for asking a question that I didn’t know how to
answer.
I looked away from him and made myself take some deep breaths
until I started to relax.
I didn’t realize it right then, but it was surprising how quiet
Charlie was while I thought about it.
I finally sighed. “I don’t know.”
I was still looking out over the water as the snow fell thicker.
I felt, more than saw, him move up beside me and lean on the
parapet again, his elbow not quite touching mine.
“I guess that’s reasonable,” he said after a while.
“It’s not like I want to run away,” I responded. “It’s just…
It’s just so unfair.”
“Yeah, it sucks to be blamed for something you didn’t do.”
“No, it’s not… Well, yeah - that, But I mean… Have you ever got
paddled?”
“At school, yeah, but not like what you got, I don’t think.”
“That hurt so bad, and it was so embarrassing, and then they
made me skip the party and everything, and I couldn’t even talk
to my friends, and I don’t know what they think, and then my dad
was so mad at me, and…”
My voice c racked - nearly a sob. I stopped and took a deep
breath, but before I could clear my throat, Charlie spoke up.”
“And then he promised you ‘the worst whuppin’ you ever got’?”
I nodded.
“And you’re scared?”
I paused, then nodded again.
“Yeah, yeah I am. It’s not just unfair, it’s rotten. I dunno
why people gotta whip kids.”
Charlie was quiet for a long time.
“Maybe they don’t ‘gotta’,” he finally replied, but I could tell
he wasn’t finished.
“You know what I think?”
I looked at him.
“I think there’s some kids never need a whupping. Not that they
never make mistakes, but if someone just explained to them what
they did and why they shouldn’t do it, they’d learn. They want
to do the right thing.”
I nodded. That was kind of exactly what I was thinking.
“I also think there are guys you could whup ‘em all the time,
and it wouldn’t make a difference. They’re gonna do what they
wanna do, and they don’t care if it’s right or wrong. The only
difference it might make is making them more careful not to get
caught.”
I nodded again, but not quite as enthusiastic this time. I
guess making someone at least be more careful about doing
something wrong might be a reason to still whup ‘em.
“But it’s not fair,” I protested.
“No, not always, but adults are like kids - they’re not perfect
and sometimes they make mistakes. It’s not fair, but it is
life.”
I didn’t want to think about that, so I changed the subject.
“So you think there are two types of people?”
“No. Well, not that way. ‘Cause those are extremes. There
are also kids who’d like to do wrong, but if they think they’re
gonna get a whuppin’ if they do it, then maybe they won’t do it.
And there are people who want to do right, but they need
something to help them stop and think about what is right before
they do something wrong.”
I thought uncomfortably about what Dad had said after I’d been
caught shoplifting, and didn’t know what to say about that.
“I still don’t think there’s a good reason to whup a kid,” I
insisted instead.
“I’ll bet you do,” Charlie said.
I looked at him.
“I’ll bet I don’t.”
He looked back at me and smiled.
“You can’t think of anything?”
I shook my head.
“You see that?” he asked, pointing over the river.
I turned to look, but all I could see was some snow swirling in
the faint shadows that fell that far.
“See what?”
“Right there,” he said, pointing.
I looked closer and saw a light begin to grow.
“Right there in the past.”
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#Post#: 16305--------------------------------------------------
Re: It Happened One Christmas Chapter Nine
By: afinch Date: December 8, 2019, 6:04 pm
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I'm still feeling really bad for Bailey, but I'm loving the
direction this is heading. Anxiously awaiting the next chapter.
#Post#: 16310--------------------------------------------------
Re: It Happened One Christmas Chapter Nine
By: No Way Out Date: December 9, 2019, 7:38 am
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I'm very keen on reading the next parts, too, especially after
this little teaser at the end of the chapter.
Also, the story inspired me to start writing another Christmad
story. I'm not sure, if it's a good idea, or if I'll even manage
to finish it, but if I do, it's Jack's fault! :P
#Post#: 16314--------------------------------------------------
Re: It Happened One Christmas Chapter Nine
By: David M. Katz Date: December 9, 2019, 10:39 am
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Yeah, I am still pissed at how Bailey's situation is being
handled by dad/school BUT I do see some possible hope. I am
interested to find out what Charlie has to show.
Anyway, I trust Jack and he did warn us that the series started
off dark.
[emoji319]
#Post#: 16319--------------------------------------------------
Re: It Happened One Christmas Chapter Nine
By: db105 Date: December 9, 2019, 3:09 pm
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Charlie is a little Christmas angel and also a little CP
theorist! ;)
I wonder what he is going to show Bailey.
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