ch. 15 My early Christmas Present
Ottery St MaryTown Hall. December 23, 1985, 7:00pm
I'm currently with my choir silently practicing. And yes, I formed a choir. I think I need to explain.
--flashback--
On the morning after Linda invited me, I was singing 'Silent Night' while in the shower, I then remembered watching the English boy choir group, Libera, sing it in YouTube. With the realization, I sprung into action.
I kindly invited(or strong-armed) by friends who can sing: blond Luke who is second to me in looks; Kyle who is from an African decent; an asian girl named, MeiMei ;and Jeanne a brown haired farm girl. They were reluctant at first but I went to thier houses and convinced thier parents. Which parent don't like to see there kids on stage? We had practice at my place.
I coordinated with Linda and Stephanie who I later found out will portray Mary. I gave them the music sheets and they found someone to play it on the piano. I asked Nana to provide us with white robes. I got my haircut and styled it like 2009 Justin Beiber. Why the haircut? Because during the dress rehearsal I look like a girl with the robe.
--end of flashback--
Back to Hall.
I'm trying to calm my friends down the when the stage manager called us on stage. Me and my friends walked up to our elevated section on the right side of the stage. We can see the audience.
I didn't expect there to be that many people but I recognize a good number of them are the retirees from all the care homes me and Nana visited. I also saw her, it was very obvious with her black sunglasses. She gave me a thumbs up. Then the light dimmed and the intro started.
🎵 🎶 🎵 🎶 🎵 🎶
A star light up in the dim stage. Spotlights were focusing on us, the choir. There is Mary, played by Stephanie, with a young man acting as Joseph entered from the left side of the stage . She was sitting in a white pony as they roam around the stage until they met a person who led them to the center stage where the manger is. There is a lamb and a calf tied at the side
They took thier place in the center then and out came The Baby Jesus placed on a pile of hay. The star above shines brightly. Then two kids dressed as angels appeared. Then we begun to sing...
🎵 🎶 🎵 🎶
Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
🎵 🎶 🎵 🎶 🎵
The angels woke up the sheperds and led them to the manger...
🎵 🎶 🎵 🎶
Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight!
🎵 🎶 🎵 🎶
Then the three wise men entered and gave thier gifts...
🎵 🎶 🎵 🎶
Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love's pure light
🎵 🎶 🎵 🎶
The spotlight intensified illuminating the whole stage then gradually dim until the only light is shone at the baby Jesus
🎵 🎶 🎵 🎶
~scene end~
The audience applaud 👏 👏
The lights turn on again and all of us lined up on stage for a quick curtain call. My friends and I lined up with smile to the audience and went back stage.
At the room backstage, we are having some banter. The five of us are at the corner petting the calf and lamb.
"Who's a good boy? Who's a good boy" I was tickling the calf while doing cutesy face.
"It's not a dog, Marshall?" Kyle corrected me with a chuckle.
Jeanne, a farm girl, looked at the cow's behind and said, " And it is not a boy either."
'Huh!? I checked last time and the one we met in the dress rehearsal was a boy. Then this is a new one?' I checked with Siri.
Me: Is this a boy?
Siri: no
Me: what breed it is?
Siri: Highland cattle
Me: anything magical or special in its ancestry?
Siri:...none.
'Tsk'I'm disappointed. Then I checked the lamb that is being hugged by MeiMei a little too tight.
Me: Anything magical or special in this lamb's ancestry?
Siri: ...none.
'Haaaa' I sigh in disappointment. Luke saw me and asked, "What's wrong 'mate.?"
I replied "Nothing, MeiMei will probably throw a tantrum later when she realizes she can't take the lamb home."
MeiMei stares at me and her eyes teared up, "But its Christmas! I want him as my present! I already gave him a name!"
Kyle joked, "What name? Lamb chop, lamb kebab, lamb fries or better yet Lamb curry!!!!!!"
*Waaaaaaaaa!!!*** MeiMei run out of the room hugging the now struggling lamb.
""""Kyle!"""" We reprimanded the guy as this is not the first time this happened. We run out to look for MeiMei when we heard her sceam, "Aaahh!"
When we saw her she was sitting on the floor still holding the poor lamb that I'm pretty sure is suffocating from her hug. In front of her is the white pony we used on stage. The guy who played Joseph was holding its reign trying to calm it.
I checked on MeiMei, " Mei, you ok?" I breathe a sigh of relief when I realize she's fine just startled.
Luke pat her arm to calm her down and talked is a soft voice, "MeiMei, the lamb can't breathe."
MeiMei realized what she's doing and loosen her grip on the poor thing. "I'm sorry" she mumble. But the lamb ain't having anymore of her and run.
"I'll get it." Said Jeanne. Kyle follow along as he doesn't want to be in MeiMei's line of fire.
Seing that my friends are ok, I check on the pony who is still a little restless. And I started petting it and it calm down.
Actually during rehearsal we originally had a donkey. But that thing is being an ass(pun intended) and won't cooperate on set. So they said they'll bring a pony instead.
I look into its eyes and I realized I haven't checked this guy yet. So I ask Siri.
Me: Is there anything special or magical in its bloodline?
Siri:.....!.... Unicorn bloodline detected.
A smile slowly appeared on my face. I asked the guy holding its reign, "Do you know who owns this guy?"
"My dad, why?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I want to buy him, name you price. " I said with confidence.
""""""Why?!""""" Asked the guy and my friends.
I replied while hugging the horse head, "he is My early Christmas Present!!!"
Someone cried in the background but I'm already at cloud9 hugging and kissing the horse's face saying, "Who's a good boy? Who's a good boy?
____________________
Thank God! I got this done.
I realized it is hard to add religious aspects in writing. Its full of landmines. I tried to respect and follow the Nativity scene without botching it. I'm a Christian so I know I skipped some parts. And for that, I'm Really Sorry.🙏🙏🙏🙏
While I'm at it, I just want to say thanks to the ones who are reading this work of mine. I just started writing this for fun and practice but I assure you that i intend to finish this.
So see you later everyone!