Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas...

[Mari Nicole Rousseau]

Mari had traveled to America for her holiday season. She was originally from the west coast, so she would be missing a whole lot staying in Europe for the Christmas Season. She wasn’t very religious, Mari, so she didn’t buy into all this ‘Jesus is the Reason for the Season’ but she would never dampen someone’s Christmas by telling them. She doesn’t like ruining people spirits, especially of the male variety. But ever since she had left Wigmore, she had forgotten what America was like. So much violence on the streets, the Channel 5 News at 6’o’clock bring only worse news, the greasy distasteful food; it was an all-around wake up call. She looked to the side at her alarm clock. It flashed 3 A.M. in red numbers. ‘Oh joy… she murmured. Her body hadn’t adjusted to the jetlag and so she got up out of bed and went take a shower.

Letting the scolding hot water hit her bare back she leaned against the wall in the shower. She was so tired, but she also missed her old life. She use to go out partying every night. After she had gotten a rude wake up call, she never really was the same.. Turning the knob on the shower she grabbed her towel and tucked it tightly around her torso. Climbing up on her bathroom counter-top she sat there looking at herself, trying to remember anything she could about her old life. The boos, the drugs, the boys, brought a smile to her face. But the fact that she was alone at all those parties. She didn’t have someone who could party as hard as she could and still be standing. Chuckling a little, she hopped down from the counter top and made her way to the closet.

Dragging a finger through all her sequin cocktail dresses and short mini skirts, she bit her lip and grabbed a pair of mini floral sailor shorts, with a cropped top and some suspenders. Shuffling unsteadily into her black stiletto booties, she looked in the mirror at her rapidly drying hair. Picking up the blow dryer and curling iron she went to work on the messy bunches spewing out of her head. Half an hour later she had successfully manages to get a full wave going framing her face. Biting her lip she decided not to put much makeup on but eye shadow and concealer. Sighing she ran a hand through her hair and turned off the light to walk back into her dimly lit bedroom.

Mari grabbed her thick leather jacket and car keys. Glad her dad was out at a Christmas party, she kicked the door open and was off. Hoping in the SUV she headed out to her favorite club. Parking about a mile away, since there was no parking downtown Cali, she tightened her jacket and listened to her heels click against the pavement in a synchronizing rhythm. Slowly taking a deep breath she thought she heard an out-of-step footstep. She stopped for a second, and kept on walking. But she knew someone was behind her. Almost to the club, she saw an alley with no one in it. Looking around her she jumped and grabbed the person by the shirt and pulled him in the alley. Not being able to see his face she breathed heavily and said, “ Who are you and what do you want?” Well Merry Christmas to you too Mari.