Because of his severe stutter, Atticus never fulfills his childhood wish to make a joyful noise onstage at Christmastime. Now going by AC, the same problem isolates him with only his cat Spud for company as he forgoes the holiday season and personal, meaningful relationships altogether.<br><br>On their way to pass the yuletide in Mexico, AC and Spud encounter a stranded band who call themselves The 12 Drummers Drumming. Though AC tries to resist the urge to help, he’s somehow convinced to drive them back up north in his van to ensure they make their Christmas Eve gig.<br><br>AC immediately rates each guy, figuring on a one in twelve chance to at least score a holiday hookup. As he spends time with each, he sees them in less superficial terms. Sparks ignite, and by the time Christmas Eve arrives, AC has a whole new reason to believe in Christmas magic and romance.

12 Drummers Thumbing

They were supposed to go through the song twice. “S-s-si-i-l-lent n-n-n…” The same verse, two times.


“Stop singing, Atticus!” Mrs. Eichorn whispered it. She shout-whispered, loudly enough for everyone to hear during the rests between words, when the only one still singing was him. Mrs. Eichorn looked really angry. “Stop singing!”


“They’d hardly ever let me go to gym class.” Emery was chattering away again. Whoever was texting back must have taken a break. “I loved sports, but the asthma kept me off the field and the—A-achoo! The court. I couldn’t play an instrument, either, not a woodwind or brass, so, drums it was, and here I am a bunch of years later, still doing it. My dad snuck into the show out in Denver.”


Chapter 11