Christmas Eve

It was Christmas Eve and cozy before the crackling fireplace sat Tuck-Tuck and Wiggles. Around them the house lay quiet and still—a stark contrast to the day’s earlier hubbub. All that could be heard was the soft sound of snow falling on itself.

Is it safe? asked Tuck-Tuck. Can we open presents now?

Wiggles gave a low bark indicating that it was. Tuck-Tuck looked at him disapprovingly which made Wiggles bury his head in his paws apologetically. Wiggles always got barky when excited. Usually it was cute and Tuck-Tuck could handle it, but it was Christmas Eve, the people had finally gone off to bed, and Tuck-Tuck really wanted to give Wiggles his gift. He would hate for the people to wake up and ruin everything.

Sorry, Tuck-Tuck, said Wiggles.

It’s okay buddy. Let’s do it.

Can I go first? asked Wiggles.

Sure Wiggles, here you go.

Tuck-Tuck handed Wiggles a rectangular box wrapped in gold and green paper.

Aww, Tuck, it’s beautiful, said Wiggles.

Open it, Wigg, Tuck instructed. Open it.

Carefully, like when he stole the meat sticks from the small people, Wiggles unwrapped the gift. A sweater! he said joyfully. It’s beautiful!

He held it out. A red Christmas sweater depicting the Bataan Death March. The Filipinos were colored with green-gold yarn and twisted down the sweater in a line that trailed from one shoulder down to the waist and back to the other. The dead bodies lay off to the side sewn with reds, purples, and blues. The Japanese stood strong and proud next to the marching Filipinos, pointing their bayonet-topped rifles threateningly at the marchers. The Japanese were threaded black, but in festive Christmas red and white there were Santa hats atop each of their heads which brought a merry flair to the scene.

After studying the sweater for a minute or two Wiggles said, The Japanese were cruel and brutal captors during World War II, weren’t they, Tuck-Tuck?

Yes, Wiggles, they sure were.

These Santa hats make them look more cheery.

Yes, Wiggles, they sure do.

He put the sweater aside and handed Tuck-Tuck a brightly wrapped box. Snowmen and ornaments, that thick foil kind that burns colored flames when thrown into a fire. Open it Tuck! Open yours! Wiggles almost barked again.

Tuck-Tuck opened the package quickly, like when he raced to chase the green balls the people threw into the grass. Oh Wiggles! A sweater! Tuck-Tuck exclaimed.

Tuck-Tuck held the sweater before him. On it were so many eyes. So many shapes of eyes, so many sizes and colors. The multitude of threads were a rainbow.

Look Tuck! Look closer! Wiggles pointed. Do you see? Do you see the ghosts?

Tuck-Tuck looked closer and saw tiny ghosts within each of the different colored pupils of each of the eyes. Little white ghosts, arms outstretched—pained faces on the larger ones. O–mouths moaning on the smaller ones.

Do you get it? Wiggles blurted. You get it right?

Yes, Wiggles, I get it. Bruce Springsteen, Tuck-Tuck answered.

Thunder Road! ‘The ghosts in the eyes of all the boys you sent away!’ Wiggles yelled. He repeated the line three more times. You love that part! It’s your favorite part, Tuck!

Yes, Wiggles—that’s my favorite part, Tuck-Tuck confirmed.

Sorry it’s not a Christmas sweater.

Never mind that, Wiggles. It’s the best present I’ve ever received.

Wiggles smiled shy and gladly. We are best friends, Tuck-Tuck.

Yes, Wiggles, we are, agreed Tuck-Tuck. Our friendship is like the same friendship that Riggs and Murtaugh had in Lethal Weapon 3. Remember that part when Murtaugh is drunk on his boat and Riggs starts fighting with him and he cries because he will be alone when Murtaugh retires in five days because Murtaugh is all that he has? I feel like that about you, Wiggles.

Tuck-Tuck looked at Wiggles and couldn’t ignore the tears welling up in his eyes.

Wiggles sniffled and said, To me, our friendship is like the true love Princess Buttercup had with the farm boy, Westley, in The Princess Bride, but not in a gay way, he added. I would walk through the Fire Swamp for you. Tuck-Tuck. As you wish, Tuck-Tuck.

Merry Christmas, Wiggles, said Tuck-Tuck.

Merry Christmas, Tuck-Tuck, said Wiggles.

Tuck-Tuck and Wiggles walked round and round in a circle before the fire and settled down against one another in a shape that resembled a yin-yang symbol. The warmth of the fire was second to the warmth of their hearts. The lullaby of their familiar breathing sent them to a quick and peaceful slumber.

Hours later, Santa was careful not to disturb them when placing gifts under the tree.