It was about noon, this Christmas day; the smell of fresh pine needles smothers the entire foyer of this Hurst mansion.  Friends, and family alike gather around the tree each with their preferred drink in hand.  I stood along the frame of the door with a hot coco in mine.

 

      Colton was over by the window beside the tree, scrolling through emails on his phone.  Work always seemed to be on his mind, even when a beautiful young woman would be standing next to him. Over by Uncle Gyon, we see a miniature version of my brother; a cocky five-year-old named Sammy, trying to explain how to properly execute a sleeper hold from behind the neck of his grandfather; what a look of joy on the old man's face!  

 

     The echos of a woman's voice piercing from down the hall, is that of Summer, my mother.  I think she sometimes forgets where she is, as she verbally assaults whoever is on the receiving end of her cell phone.  It's amusing but terrifying at the same time. Mother never makes idle threats so that call will not end well.  While the conversation seems to escalate, Uncle Gyon shakes his head, with laughter, Colton desperately trying to get the attention of my father, who is still under the armpits of the little death trap.

 

      "Dad, say something!" was the plea for help coming from the other side of the room.  Colton's embarrassment struck a nerve as his date, Lily looked surprised.  Lily Rodgers, Sammy's mother, a one-night affair of Colton's which resulted in a six-year arrangement.  Lily was an office assistant at a local dentistry in San Antonio, she met Colton at one of our wrestling events in Dallas.  She was ringside with a backstage pass meet and greet.  After winning our first ever Tag Titles, we celebrated rather heavily that night, Colton more than me.  Lily made her presence known to Colton from the start of the match, I think it was obvious she wanted to get her hands on my brother.  Kind of funny now, seeing as it worked.   

   

     A regretful sigh was heard, as father shook his head. "Boy, have you not learned anything in all your years on this Earth? There is no, say something when it comes to your mother.  You either let her be or expect whatever comes next." Colton knew that to be true, but it did not hurt to try.

 

     Dad by no means, was scared of my mother, he just knew, that asking her to calm down would be like sticking your head into a wolf's mouth, expecting not to be bitten.  It just made no sense.  They had the perfect relationship, but I often wondered how this rugged, beer drinking, head bashing, fish catching, country ass redneck ever got involved with a manipulative, loud mouthed, spoiled, seductive harlot like my mom in the first place.  To this day, I still do not know; but it must have been one hell of a courtship and the balance of nature. 

 

     The laughter in the room grows louder as everyone continues to enjoy the festivities.  With a sip of my coco, I take my seat next to the old man.  A smile forms across his face, as his favorite child would sit and bring him a beer.  Little spawn, that's what we call Sammy, would loosen his grip around the old man's neck and ask for a drink.  How could I resist.  I looked over to my brother, who is watching me with hawk eyes as I popped the top off dad's beer with a smile.

 

     "Don't you do it Cassie!"  Everyone laughed at Colton's concern, even Lily cracked a smile. 

Now, I had no intensions of giving the little death trap a sip of beer, but it was fun to watch Colton believe that I would.  After all, I do believe my first one was at this age.  I began to hold the can up to my nephew's mouth; his little eyes grew wide with excitement.  Colton's evil glare was making it more enjoyable.

   

 "Easy killer, no bloodshed in the house today."  Dad smiles as he pats my shoulder. 

 

"Sorry Sammy, your dad says no.  But you can have a sip of my coco."  His little face pouted, and he would look over to his dad with a stern gaze.

 

Gotta love the Holidays.

 

     "While the sound of heels making their way across the hardwood floor, my mother finally enters the room.  All eyes, of course, gaze upon her in that ridiculous Santa suit while she begins to make her way over to the sofa where my father and I sit. 

"I got you something to wear, Idjit." smiling, her hand extends to my father. 

 

The utterly disgusted look upon his face was ever so welcoming, I could do nothing but smile, for I knew what was coming next.

"You've lost your damn mind, woman!"

 

Oh, the look he gave was priceless as he tossed that damn elf hat across the room. I thought Uncle Gyon nearly died laughing; twice!

Mother's pouty lips wasn't changing the old man's mind this time and I'm shocked she didn't already know this, or did she?

"I'll wear it, Mom."   he spoke.

Of course you will, Colton...of course...you will... 

 

Today's mood: Fuckery at its finest.  Merry Fuckin' Christmas...Punks.