Young and Hungry - For Life - 51. Christmas Day - A New Generation

Raj had breakfast with his new family before leaving to go to Edward and Romel’s for the day.

Breakfast was served in the garden and made by Caleb and Gran in her flat.

While Craig, Justin and Raj were drinking the orange juice, Caleb had set out earlier, Raj noticed how beautiful the garden was.

The two resident gardeners had everything in perfect condition for the big day. Many natives were flowering, including the Bottle Brushes, the Grevilleas and the Dietes were just opening after their nightly sleep. The maple tree that Nigel had planted when he and his wife first bought the property, had now spread so wide it provided excellent shade in the summer, an exquisite display of gold and red in autumn and let the winter sun through to warm the garden in the cooler months.

The garden’s hydrangeas were the old style, that usually produce only a blue flower. But Gran succeeded this year in producing some pink blooms. After using lime on them for the last three years, the Ph of the soil had finally changed sufficiently to produce the altered colour. The lavender plants had just finished flowering, but still offered up their delightful fragrance when touched.

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“OK, here it comes” called Caleb “G & Cs, soon to be famous, wattle seed and Manuka honey pancakes”

“How will they become famous?” asked Raj innocently.

“When we start to market....” But Caleb was interrupted by Gran who simply waved a matronly finger of authority.

“Or not.... we’ll stick to chocolate biscuits, hey?” Caleb countered.

During the meal, Gran asked “So what are you doing today Raj, Craig tells me you won’t be with us for lunch. Do you have family here?”

“Yes, I was born here, my parents live in Harris Park, out west”

“So you’ll be having Christmas with them?”

“No, things are not good between us”

“Oh that’s disappointing, especially this time of the year”

“So....” This time is was Craig’s turn to interrupt his Grandmother.

“Gran, Raj will be spending the day with his boyfriend’s family”

“Oh well, that’s good news after all”

“But Craig, didn’t you say Raj was staying with us because he and his boyfriend had differences?” asked Caleb

“Yes, but they’re trying to sort things out. Now can we stop talking about Raj as if he wasn’t here?”

“Sorry Raj, I’m just a bit of a nosy parker sometimes” Gran admitted.

“That’s OK, I know you care”

“Of course...now tell us, what do you think of the pancakes?”

***

Raj got away by ten, just before the first arrivals, Craig’s parents.

The family agreed there would be no mass piling of gifts, under the tree, as in previous years. Instead, gifts were not to expected, but if anyone felt inclined to give a gift it should be small and given personally.

Harry and Cathy gave Gran a food hamper of delicacies she would probably not buy for herself. Craig and Justin were given liquor and there was a package with a gift tag stating ‘To Caleb, from your new family’. Harry had made the purchase, after asking Craig for a suggestion, then being passed on to Justin, who consulted James and finally got back to Harry with the exact specifications.

Craig looked at the gift tag and suggested he thought it was not appropriate, because it negated his real family. The tag was quickly replaced with ‘To Caleb, from your other family’

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“Oh thank you so much. I wasn’t expecting this and I don’t have a gift to exchange with you”

“That’s not a problem, Christmas gifts are for the young” assured Cathy

“May I open it now?”

“As it’s from the whole family, maybe you should wait for the others”

“Of course, I’m just bursting with curiosity, but I’ll wait”

<>

Next to arrive was Jessica, shortly followed by the Hurstville group. During introductions, James noticed Caleb’s gift sitting unopened, so as soon as introduction were complete he said “Are you going to open your present”

“Yes, I’ve just been waiting for you all to arrive”

Caleb was not one to take his time opening gifts. In that respect he was like James and ripped off the wrapping in two swift movements. He stared in stunned amazement, so James asked “Do you like it?”

“Of course I do, it’s the latest model, isn’t it?”

“Yes, just the same as mine, and just released. Even though we haven’t met before I just knew it was the perfect gift for you. We’re staying for two days so we’ll have time to challenge each other and see who is the PS5 champion”

“What do you think?” Caleb asked Francesco

“It’s very nice, I suppose, but I don’t really know what it is”

“I showed you mine this morning when Mum gave it to me” replied James.

“I know, but you were so happy about it, I didn’t like to ask”

“Then we’ll learn together” offered Caleb “I haven’t had a Play Station before”

“Oh good, that should be fun”

“So if James got a PS5 also, what did you get Francesco?” Caleb asked

“A tablet...oh, not the kind you take when you’re sick”

“I know what you mean. That will help you with your studies”

“No, I don’t study, I work. Well I used to work in the circus, but not anymore. Hannah says she’ll find me a job after the holidays”

“So what did you do in the circus?”

“This” Francesco replied, then bent over backwards and walked around the garden on all fours. When he returned, Caleb said “That’s impressive, what else can you do?”

James stepped in and said “Maybe later Caleb, Francesco’s got his new clothes on for the first time today. Don’t want him getting dirty before lunch”

“You sound like his mother”

“I’m his boyfriend and look out for him”

“Fair enough”

“Have you got a boyfriend?” asked James

“Sort of”

“Please explain”

“Well there’s this guy at school and....

After Caleb explained, James said “That’s easy, call him, wish him happy Christmas and invite him over”

“But it’s Christmas day he’ll be doing family stuff”

“The worst that can happen, if you ask him, is he’ll say no. The worst that will happen if you don’t ask is, he won’t come anyway, right?”

“I like the way you think James, I think we’re going to get on well”

<>

“Merry Christmas Lucas”

“Same to you. What are you doing today?”

“Oh it’s pretty busy here both Justin and Craig’s families are here and they gave me a PS5”

“Wow, they must really like you, they cost megabucks”

“It’s from everyone, so I suppose they all threw in”

“Lucky you”

“Anyway, the reason I rang is to see if you would like to come over later”

“That would be great, but I have to stay for lunch and get my presents. Although that seems to be conditional on allowing old ladies, with moustaches, to smother me in kisses and listen to them say how much I’ve grown and I’m the dead spit’n image of either my mum or my dad, depending on what side of the family they’re on”

“Yuk, sounds like you need an intervention”

“I need some sort of rescue before I catch tinselitis. I barely recognise my own home, looks more like a department store”

“You poor thing”

“Yeah, but I might be able to escape later this afternoon. They started drinking at breakfast, so by the time they stuff their faces with four types of meat, countless prawns, a token piece of salad and a taste of every dessert on the table, they’ll be so drunk, stuffed and exhausted they’ll fall asleep. Then you’ll probably hear the snoring from your place”

“So is that a yes?”

As Caleb slipped his phone into his pocket, he asked Francesco “Is it alright if I kiss your boyfriend?”

Francesco did not understand or know what to say, so James interpreted for him “I think Caleb wants to thank me for my advice”

“Oh, that’s good” said Francesco

“So when’s he coming?” asked James

“As soon as the oldies fall asleep”

James laughed loudly, so Francesco joined him.

***

Hannah and Julia took drinks and sat with Gran.

“Your garden looks amazing Gran. How do you manage it?”

“Oh, didn’t you know I have an assistant gardener now”

“That’s a good idea, getting some professional help”

“Oh he’s good but not professional. Caleb is my helper, willing and able. He’s just what I need, especially on the days these old bones don’t want to co-operate”

“That’s good of him to help out. Not a lot of young people would do that, especially since he’s not strictly family”

“Oh, Sonny Boy is as much family around here as anyone else. This idea of Craig and Justin to foster has been a new lease on life for me. He’s keeping me young and actually seems to enjoy my company”

“It’s good that you keep active in body and mind”

“I agree, though I did draw the line at being doubled on his bicycle. That would have been a step too far. Now tell me about Alex, I hear he’s run away with the circus”

“I’m not sure run away is correct, but yes, he is working with the circus, and his girl works there also”

“You know, as a young girl that was my dream, to be swept off my feet by a muscular trapeze flyer or a daredevil lion tamer. I can still visualise myself selling tickets or fairy floss while my hero entertained his audience then came directly to me and carried me off to his caravan. But that was just a dream, so I always insisted that my farmer husband take me to the circus every time it came to town. Then for ‘One Night Only’ as they say in the business, I was a circus girl again”

Gran suddenly stopped, returned to reality, looked at Julia and said “I’m sorry, you were telling me about your boy”

“Yes, that’s just what Alex’s girlfriend does, sells tickets and food”

“Is she living my dream?”

“Not really, she was born into the circus, her parents own it, and Alex is no daredevil”

“As long as they’re having fun and living their lives as they want”

“That may just be the problem Gran. This is supposed to be a short term summer job for Alex, but I worry he may not want to leave his girlfriend and therefore miss starting uni next year. Plus they say circus can get into your blood”

“I’m sure he’ll make the right choice and love will always find a way”

“I wish I had your confidence Gran” Julia concluded.

“And I also hear you have swapped one son for another. Tell me about that handsome young man who seems to be James’ shadow”

***

James, Caleb and Francesco were assigned the task of putting together three tables and enough chairs for a sit-down lunch in the garden. As soon as they completed the task they put into action another plan.

James and Caleb made a formidable team when they confronted their elders in regard to drinking alcohol. James got a yes from Hannah “But only one bottle of beer each”

“Yes Mum”

Then a yes from Julia, with the same qualification.

Caleb finally secured a yes from Justin, when he explained that James and Francesco were allowed to drink, and Gran was on board when given the same information, without the knowledge that Justin had already done the same.

Of course the qualification of ‘one bottle each’ was interpreted as one for each of the three conspirators for each ‘yes’.

Gran observed to Cathy “The three younger boys seem to be getting on well”

“Yes like old mates, but it is odd how they all go off to the bathroom together and often. I thought that was just a girl thing”

As the three boys stood around the toilet bowl and unzipped, one asked ”Is it a race to see who finishes first or who can go the longest?”

“How about both?”

“So two of us win and one looses”

On the next visit to the bathroom “How about we all win this time?”

“Howzat?”

“We all start and finish at the same time”

“That sounds cool...hey hang on, how do we do that?”

“Ummm...pace yourself...check with each other how much you think you’ve got left and....”

“Yeah, I get it, I’m starting now, go!”

On their third visit “I’ve got this utterly brilliant idea”

“Is this for the pissing competition?”

“Sort of but this is a musical piss”

“I think you’ve had too much to drink”

“No, just listen” He then chose a song from his phone’s playlist with a strong beat and continued “Hear how the beat goes, one...two...three, then one two three again?”

“So?”

“I’ll be one, you two and you three”

“Oh I get it, hilarious. The Three Tenors watch out, here come The Three Tinklers”

All three then lost all control and their musical premiere was ruined before it started.

***

Mid-afternoon, Craig received a text from Raj ‘Won’t be back tonight, will explain tomorrow, hope you’re having a great day’

While he was reading it, and trying to work out what it meant, he noticed a new face walk into the garden. Before he could enquire of the new arrival, Caleb rushed over and gave him a hug, then seemed to be introducing him to James and Francesco.

“Guys, this is my friend Lucas”

“Great you could come” said James by way of a welcome. I’m James and this is my boyfriend Francesco.

“Pleased to meet you guys. Are all of these people family?”

“Yeah, in-laws and out-laws and everything in between” replied James, then added “Caleb, you should offer your friend a drink” and winked.

“Sure, come with me Lucas”

Rather than help themselves from the ice tub, Caleb though it better to go to the fridge in the garage, where they wouldn’t be seen, but Craig had been watching and followed the boys to the garage. As they each took a beer from the fridge, Craig said, you haven’t introduced me to your visitor Caleb.

A surprised Caleb said “What...erm...oh Craig, this is Lucas, we go to school together”

Then as Craig took the beers and put them back in the fridge, he said “Pleased to meet you Lucas, how old are you?”

“Sss...sixteen Sir”

“In that case I would like to welcome you to our home and offer you a cola or an OJ”

“Oh yes...a cola please”

“Caleb, will you oblige?”

As he took two cans from the fridge he gave Craig a sideways look, to which Craig replied “I know I let you have a beer earlier as a special treat for today, but your friend is not part of this family and therefore I can’t make such decisions as letting him have alcohol when underage” Then directing his attention to Lucas, added ‘I’m sure you understand that Lucas”

“Yes, Sir, of course”

Before the boys walked away, Craig gave Caleb an ‘I’m watching you’ sign with his fingers.

***

Late in the afternoon, Craig received another text. One which he was expecting, so he asked “Gran, will you come with me. It’s that time”

“Sure, but give me a hand up, these bloody old garden chairs have a bad case of saggy bottom, somewhat like me. My bum’s almost on the ground”

“No problem”

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They returned to the garden, fifteen minutes later, Gran with a fresh G & T and she flopped into the old chair again. As she did, she said “Bugger, forgot my glasses. Caleb...” she called “Be a hero and get my glasses for me, I left them in Craig’s study, when I was writing some last minute gift cards”

“Right on to it Gran”

“Be right back guys”

Caleb went to the house, passing through the kitchen, where he stopped momentarily to scoff down a couple of chunks of cabanossi left on the cutting board. He then went down the hall, opened the study door, stopped suddenly and exclaimed “Mum!”

“Son!”

THE END