The Christmas Cracker - 1. The Christmas Cracker

“I am having a Christmas party Hawk. Will you come?” Harish asked quietly. He shoved his hands in his pockets; the deed that had worried him so, now done.

They stood together outside the office building where they both worked. Hawken McLeod smoked, his slim figure pulled tightly together against the cold. He looked at his friend. “You don’t celebrate Christmas, Hari.” He smiled. “So, why a Christmas party?”

“Damn it’s cold out here.” Hari rubbed his arms. “Why not, Hawk? My friends mostly celebrate it. I like my friends, so why not?”

“Shit, it works for me. Okay, sure. What day? Can I bring something?”

“You just bring you,” Harish thought. He considered for a moment before saying, “I could use help with what to buy, and to serve. I never had Christmas before. Do I need a turkey?”

Hawk ground his cigarette butt into the bucket of sand provided by the company. “Is it a dinner party? That’s a lot of work.”

“It would be fun. My new apartment is big enough. It would be nice to have a party, right?”

“Come on, break’s nearly over.” Hawk pulled Harish by the elbow. “But yeah, a party would be nice.”

***

Harish Hossein had not expected to stay in Canada after finishing his MBA, but things had worked in unexpected ways. Here he was. Alone. Finally. In a country where ‘his kind’ were accepted. Well, mostly anyway.

On top of that he’d made friends and most unexpected was Hawken McLeod. Harish knew Hawken was ‘like him’ but they were just friends. Harish desperately wanted to change that, but he’d never dated anyone let alone a handsome gay man like Hawken.

Harish had come so close. One night, he and Hawk had worked late, and at the end of the night Hawk drove him home. They had talked and laughed, as they sat inside the car in the apartment building parking lot, and then there was that silent moment. Hari had seen on TV, that silent moment where the girl and boy kiss. Hawk was so close; Hari could feel the soft warm breath on this face. Then … and then … nothing!

He had blown it! He had pushed Hawken away and jumped out of the car. The next morning at the office, he sheepishly thanked Hawk for the lift. They had only been recently getting close again. Harish was determined that he would try once more. That was the beginning of his devious plan.

***

Over lunch he asked Hawken what was needed for a proper Christmas party. Hawk fixed his eyes on Harish’s. “Well the most important thing would be a tree. You can get a real one or a fake one. Then decorations.”

“Will you help me?”

Secretly, Hawk wanted to spend time with Harish. He liked him very much, but their backgrounds couldn’t be further apart; different. Hawken was ‘out’ but his family wasn’t thrilled about his choices – as if being gay was a choice! Even after the near-kiss in the car, Hawk still thought Harish was gay.

“Yes, sure I’ll help you. We can go after work on Friday if you want to.”

Harish’s heart leapt. “Oh, yes please … thank you, Hawk.”

So, on Friday they shopped. Harish bought a tree, decorations, and a new set of dishes for the party, Christmas themed, of course. He purchased wine glasses and the wine to go with them, Christmas fruit cake—even though Hawk said no one ever eats it—and a twelve pound turkey.

“I’ll bring all the spices, bread and onions to make the sage stuffing.” Hawk helped his friend unload all their goodies. “The day or so before we’ll get the vegetables we’ll need, so they are nice and fresh.”

Harish gazed at his companion, wishing he had the nerve to touch Hawk; to spin him around, pull him close and kiss him. “But I don’t. I never will have either,” he thought to himself. “How can I tell him how I feel?”

***

In the week prior to the party, Harish made homemade Christmas Crackers. Each would have a snap—two strips of paper with friction activated explosive that made the bang—a joke, paper party hat, and a little gift that suited the receiver. Homemade fudge for Lori-Anne, three condoms in banana flavour for Marie, a gift card for gas for Peter, Jack was getting a blindfold, and a folded piece of paper was carefully tucked into Hawk’s. Each of the crackers was wrapped with high quality Christmas paper tied with curling ribbon on each end. The last one, made for Hawk, was wrapped in glowing satin-red paper.

Hawk arrived early to help a very excited Harish get his first-ever turkey in the oven. Together they sipped wine and cut up vegetables. They prepped the cranberry sauce and made the Christmas trifle Harish had insisted on.

“It comes from my grandmother who worked for some English people in India. They taught her how to make this. It is delicious!” Harish explained has he spread on the last layer of whipped cream and dropped some well-drained maraschino cherries on top. “Just before we take it to the table I’ll add the sprinkles!”

Hawken grinned at his friend’s enthusiasm. “It’s going to be a great party. Let’s set the table and then we can just chill while things cook.”

The table was set with the Christmas dishes, new cutlery and a beautiful centerpiece with shining baubles, red and white candles and glittery evergreens. On each plate Harish carefully laid his home made crackers, there was one for himself as well.

Hawk watched as Harish laid out the Christmas novelties. “They are amazing. You did a wonderful job!”

“Thank you. I hope to do this for many years to come.”

During the afternoon they talked, basted the bird, and greeted friends when they arrived about 3pm. Spiked eggnog was handed out, wine opened, liquor consumed, and they laughed and joked until it was time to serve dinner.

Hawk helped and watched the others pull their crackers and discover their gifts. Maria loved her banana flavoured condoms and would try them out on Jack later! Peter helped Harish pull open his cracker, who then looked at Hawk with a grin. His eyes were bright with expectation, he was nervous as Hawk picked up the shining red tube doubtfully. Lori-Anne reached over to hold one end and there was clapping as the snap cracked loudly.

Using his fingers, Hawk pulled out the paper hat and the folder piece of paper. He looked at his friend; Harish’s brow was damp. He smiled and his dark eyes sparkled. Hawken wondered if he should go ahead and open it. He glanced once more at his friend again and unfolded the paper. It was a poem, Hawk read it aloud:

Don’t be sad it’s a poem you got

I’ve put in plenty of thought

Of what the gift from me should be

It doesn’t fit well under the tree

But you can see it if you look

I know you’re curious, like my hook?

Turn around and you’ll see

I’ve got a bow, your gift is me!

Merry Christmas

There was perfect silence, as if time had stopped. No one at the table moved or uttered a squeak. Outside the window, snow fell gently, making no sound as it drifted downward. Inside, Hawk turned to Harish, who stood looking frightened, hands clenched at his side. A tiny silver bow clung to his white shirt.

Hawken walked to him and looked into the deep brown eyes. “You have a bow.”

“Yes.”

“You’re my gift then?”

“Yes.” Harish was close to tears when he whispered. “Do you like it?”

Hawk reached for and unclenched Harish’s fist. “It’s just what I wanted. It’s perfect.” Then taking Harish’s slim face between his hands, Hawk kissed his gift gently. Then he stepped back, and the pair embraced.

The others joined in clapping, saying it was about time, and about time they got some food!

Hari and Hawk spent the evening close to each other. Later after much fun, and dessert, they saw their friends out. Hawk reached for his jacket. Harish put a hand on his sleeve.

“Are you leaving?”

“Do you want me to stay?” Hawk smiled. “I wasn’t sure ….”

Hari nodded. “I am more than sure. Please don’t go.” He pushed the door closed and locked it.

The pair returned to the living room and sat on the sofa. They held hands.

Harish turned to gaze at his new-found love. “What should we do now?”

Smiling gently, Hawk touched Hari’s face. “Well, when I was a kid, we were allowed to open one present before Christmas.”

Harish caught on and grinned. “I am a present!”

“So am I.”

Scrambling off the sofa, Hari pulled Hawken up to his feet, and slid his arms around the man he was falling in love with. “Then perhaps we can … unwrap each other?”

Hawk grinned and undid Hari’s top shirt button. “This is the best Christmas ever.”

The End … and to all, a good night.