A sandwich with cheese. That’d be enough. But of course, aunt would make it special. Really special. Like every year. Timmy found it odd, but at the same time, not that odd. Simplicity was the key, wasn’t it? He was born in a stable, for… well, Christ’s sake. But while mother was rambling on the phone, he couldn’t get that through. Yes, she could be expecting him at the party. He’d get a nice dinner. Christ, … again… Every year she thought that a good dinner would lure him to the family meeting. Of course she knew about the troublesome years in the past, when Timmy could barely afford food, but should that still be a trick to lure him to a place he didn’t even want to go to? Mothers, they’ll never learn. And then, she asked the one question he hoped she wouldn’t.
“Do we need to put an extra plate on the table for someone we haven’t met yet? Grandmother would do that with pleasure and…” Timmy sighed and rolled his eyes. Chr…
“No, mother. I’ll come alone. I’ll let you know if that should change. Bye now, I have errands to run.” A click brought salvation. Sometimes, Timmy found himself wishing he could celebrate in a stable, just between the cow and ox. With a cheese sandwich. He could picture it already. The same every year. Politics. Oh yes, father’s forte. After that colourful conversation, mother’s merit of education. Then the aunts would start bickering over dinner, dishes, followed by arguments which are then softened by the taste of good old red wine. During the consumption of this, would occur the most horrifying part of Christmas eve. The opening of presents. And again, a blouse would be revealed from glittering paper. And again, Timmy would not be able to give his family anything back. A harsh financial past still had it’s shadow cast upon Timmy’s present. It’s the thought that matters, his sister said. Of course, she was right. But getting things and not being able to give something in return, makes every gift have something extra. A good portion of guilt. Damn it. A simple cheese sandwich. Please.
Timmy bowed his head and threw his phone on the table. It was last year’s gift from mother. She’s the one who calls him most, oddly enough. To ask about extra plates or not. He looked outside his window. The street obviously had it’s visits from three ghosts of Christmas. Lights and glitter everywhere. The more, the merrier. Time for a walk, no matter what time it was.

The city was captured in the spirit of Christmas commercial. Rudolf on every corner, his red noses making us stop to buy. Fat men in red suits with white stripes behind the windows, selling themselves like a comparison better not made. People with bags full of presents. Guilt wrapped in glitter. Terror town. Timmy decided to leave the main street, and head to the older parts, where archaic bridges often gave shelter to people who wished they could celebrate this. Not even a stable to them. And certainly no cheese sandwiches. Although, last year he spotted someone giving them food. With that event in mind he walked towards the bridge where he saw her a year ago. Flashes of golden hair against the darkness of a past evening in his mind. She talked with the hobos and bums as if they were her friends. Maybe they were. When he turned around the corner, and saw the bridge, he knew they were. She sat on a bank near the bridge, at the riverside. An old hobo in rags sitting next to her, his head in his hands, arms leaning on his knees. She had her arm put around his shoulders. Our of curiosity, Timmy walked past them, the corner of his eyes fixed on the blonde girl. About his age, he guessed. He couldn’t hear what they said, but when he passed the bank, he heard her voice speak up.
“Young man…” He turned around and stared her in her bright blue eyes.

Grandfather had lit some candles. The one in the middle was the huge. Far taller than the others, and it gave a special atmosphere to the room. All of the family was present. Except for Timmy. He’d be later, according to his proud mother, who forgot all about education. He had called yesterday. Grandmother wanted to know why. Her grandson, the apple of her eye, late? Fear not, grandmother. He’s bringing someone. Silence fell over the room. A plate fell on the ground. Aunt didn’t even notice it. Timmy? With a date? When did this happen? Mother knew as much as everyone else. Just that he called and said he’d bring someone. Asked for that extra plate. The one aunt Cindy just dropped, grandfather added. The doorbell indicated his arrival, as well as that of rumouring in the present company. What would she be like? Would dinner be good enough? Is my hair good? Straighten the tablecloth, I see a wrinkle! Polish that glass, a stain!
Timmy’s father opened the door, and revealed only Timmy. Frowning, he let him in. Everyone stared behind him, but saw nothing.
“Where is your date?” mother asked. Timmy rose his finger, and peered around in the room.
“Is everything set? I want this to be perfect. Clean plates, candles, lights, everything must be perfect.” The aunts nodded.
“I’d go and change if I can.” Said aunt Cindy.
“Yes! Please do. Wear that expensive dress.” Aunt Cindy nodded, and ran of into the back room. Timmy smiled. Yes, everything would go according to plan. It needed to be perfect. And he would even have a present for everyone.
“Ohh, what is it?”
“Can’t say mother, but it’s similar to what I get every year. Actually, it’s the same.” His mother frowned.
“Nice candles, grandfather, they look very expensive.”
“Yes, yes, they were.” smiled the old man. Timmy turned around and observed everything in the room.
“So. Money has not been an issue again, I see. To make this evening glamorous and glittering for my company?” Everyone nodded in agreement. “And the food will be perfect too, I assume?” Again, nods and nods. “Good. I will now close the door between here and the hall, and get this someone you haven’t met yet. A very kind person, you will see.”
“Is she blonde?” asked his father.
“I did meet a blonde some days ago, yes.” Timmy winked at him.
While Timmy was outside, the family started whispering again. Finally a new addition to the family. Let’s hope she’s intelligent. As long as she has good fashion taste. And educated, she must be educated. And her political preference should be…. Then the door opened again, and showed both company and present.

The family sat at the dinner table. Timmy smiled widely. He could just read the guilt of everyone’s slightly red face. His present to the family. And didn’t cost a thing. Everyone stared from under their eyelashes, but no one of them spoke. Next to him, the hobo was enjoying his food.
“I must say Fred, what a great idea it was from Colette, to invite a less fortunate for Christmas.” The hobo nodded, while eating. He wiped his mouth with his grey sleeve, and drank his cup of coffee at once.
“But I bet, mate, you’d rather have her sitting here. Such a pretty gal as her.” Fred said
“Oh no,” answered Timmy, “you’re far more pleasant to have around.” Then Timmy offered him another sandwich with cheese.



For Christmas 2006