Christmas with Charlie 2017-2021

By Zarek A Dragon

Lucas was looking forward to the Winter Break. He and Charlie had become closer over the year. In fact, after they completed their first year of school, they moved off campus and rented a two-bedroom home together. The second bedroom was used for their desks and computers. Charlie wanted to just rent the place himself and let Lucas live with him for free, but he knew that Lucas wouldn't have been happy with that arrangement. Charlie does buy most of the groceries.

They spent Thanksgiving weekend with Charlie's parents in Aspen but had to return for classes the following Monday. After classes that Monday, Charlie went shopping while Lucas started decorating their home for Christmas.  When Charlie came home, Lucas asked, "Are we going back to Aspen for Christmas?"

"Mom and Dad would like for us to, but if you would rather not, we can stay here, Lukey," Charlie answered. Charlie still calls Lucas "Lukey," but Lucas had quit lecturing him about it shortly after they returned to Houston after last Christmas.

"I love your family, but can they come here, instead?"

"I can ask, but what's up? All I care about is your happiness, so if you don't want to go to Aspen, we can stay here."

"We have so much; I feel blessed having you as a boyfriend. I would like to give back to the community, maybe help out at a homeless shelter, or give toys at a group home or the Children's Ward of the hospital…" Lucas looked down, "I also want to be with your parents, or my mom, but I want to help those who are in need."

"You have it wrong, I am blessed having such a caring boyfriend," Charlie stated with a tear running down his cheek. "As much as I have, it never crossed my mind to give to strangers, but you are right. We should give, and not just financially. Lukey, can we do all of that? I will inform my parents about what we are doing and invite them to come here."

Lucas smiled, "Well, I'm about to take a break from decorating so I can make you happy, if you know what I mean."

"For the record, I am happy just being with you, but yeah, I know what you mean, and I get to make you happy in return." Lucas gave Charlie a quick kiss, then led him to their bedroom.

Christmas Morning, Charlie's parents arrived early. They wakened Charlie and Lucas. As she prepared coffee and breakfast for the boys, Momma Charlotte asked, "What time are we going to the shelter?"

Lucas smiled, "You and Papa Brice are gonna join us?"

"We are, and so is…" she didn't complete her sentence, but nodded toward the front door, instead.

Lucas turned around to see his mom and brother coming in. He ran up and hugged them both, Mom first, then Mark. Lucas' mom asked, "So what time are we going?"

"First, how did you get here? I didn't know you had the money to travel."

"You can thank your future in-laws. I guess Charlie told them how much you wanted to spend Christmas with us, so they bought round-trip tickets for Mark and me. I'm glad that you found someone who really loves you."

"Yeah, he never lets me forget how much he loves me, and I love him."

Mark asked, "Where is everyone going to sleep?"

"Well, Lukey and I are giving my mom and dad our room. I have a bed in our computer room for Mrs…"

Lucas' mom interrupted, "I know Lucas calls your mom Momma Charlotte, you can call me Momma Mary."

"Okay, Momma Mary will be sleeping in the computer room, and we have sleeping bags for us. If you want though, you can sleep on the couch."

"If you and my little brother are sleeping on the floor, so am I."

"Hey, I'm as tall as you, and you're only a year older than me," Lucas shot back.

"But you will always be the younger one, so even if you grow taller than me, you will always be my little brother. I don't mean it in a derogatory manner, but as a sign of affection." Mark grabbed Lucas, giving him another hug and a kiss on the cheek.

Charlie finally answered the question his mom and then Momma Mary asked, "We are going at eleven to help serve food at the Homeless Shelter for two hours, then we have presents for the Boys' Group Home. From there, we will be heading to the hospital to pass out more presents in the Children's Ward."

Papa Brice looked at Lucas, "Charlie said that you didn't want a present but would like us to spend whatever we had planned for presents for the children."

Lucas nodded, "Yeah, Charlie is my present, as far as I am concerned, but the children need to know that someone cares about them. Then you paid for my family to come here, so I don't need anything else."

"I hope you don’t mind, but we did just that and then got a small present for you, besides getting your family here."

"I don't mind, I'm just thankful for the presents for the children. Anything else is simply a blessing." The family ate their breakfast and headed to the Homeless Shelter.

Once at the Shelter, Charlie was amazed at how many people were homeless in Houston. Lucas looked at him, "I know, Babe, there are a lot, and most of them couldn't help it."

"Whole families… living here? How often are they allowed?"

Lucas replied, "To be honest, I'm not sure. I've heard that some cities have so many that a person can stay only two weeks, then get put on a list before they can stay again."

Charlie started to cry, "There are so many abandoned houses and buildings, can't something be done?"

"It takes money, and most people don't want to spend it on people who they believe allowed this to happen to themselves," Momma Mary sighed.

Charlie looked at his dad, "I want to create an app that will help them, but not only them… all of the homeless in America. And if we can sell it, I want none of the profits. I want my share donated to this Shelter or others in Texas."

"I'm with you, Son. We can work on it together, and everything we get can be donated."

Charlie's and Lucas’ family went to the person in charge and asked where they could help.

I hope you enjoy the story and that it draws you in, wanting more. I will be writing one chapter a year for Christmas, so if you have any suggestions or concerns, don’t hesitate to email me.  Thoughts and suggestions are always welcomed and may or may not be implemented. Concerns will be considered and addressed as much as possible, please contact me at Zarek A Dragon.  Please let me know that you read it on The Story Lovers' Website.