by Sadie Grey

Created on: December 08, 2008

Scene: The living room of the McCall house is full of boxes, packed and ready to move. Evelyn McCall recently lost her husband of fifteen years. She is sitting on the couch crying quietly. Her children are upstairs getting ready for bed even though it is only seven o'clock. It is Christmas Eve and secrets are about to unfold.

Characters: Evelyn McCall (Age 36 and mother of three), Jimmy McCall (Age 14, Evelyn's oldest son)

(Jimmy has quietly entered the living room)

Jimmy: Ma?

Evelyn: (Trying to compose herself) Are the kids in bed?

Jimmy: Not yet, its way early. They're in bed reading. What are you doing?

Evelyn: I'm thinking about your dad Jimmy. I'm okay though.

Jimmy: (Pointing to the far corner of the room) It is Christmas Eve Ma. Let's put the tree up.

Evelyn: Why?

Jimmy: (Frowns) Its Christmas, that's why.

Evelyn: You can if you want.

Jimmy: Help me Ma. Come on. What are you going to do, leave the gifts in the closet?

Evelyn: I was just going to sit them on the table before I went to bed tonight.

(Jimmy looks at her in disbelief then moves toward the corner)

Jimmy: Duncan is expecting Santa Claus Ma. (He pulls the long box over and sits on the floor. He opens it and begins putting the tree together. Evelyn watches)

Evelyn: (Slightly laughing) Wrong part honey, that goes near the top.

Jimmy: (Smiles but continues putting the tree together. Evelyn finally gets up and helps. The tree is now standing near the corner. Jimmy has put the lights on and is now pulling a large box across the floor) We don't have to put all the ornaments on.

Evelyn: Just enough to make it look good. You're dad (she trails off)

Jimmy: Dad always wanted to weigh the tree down with everything. Dad wanted the tree full with every branch covered. Dad always put the stupid ornament I made when I was in kindergarten at the very top. Dad was like a kid when we put the tree up. (He looks at Evelyn) D-Dad couldn't s-stand th-this fake t-tree. (He cried a little)

Evelyn: He was okay with it. He loved the fireplace more so we thought it safer to have an artificial tree honey.

(There is quiet as they begin putting ornaments on the tree. By eight o'clock, the tree is partially decorated. Evelyn looks at Jimmy)

Evelyn: So much for just a few. I'm thirsty, let's take a break.

Jimmy: (smiling) Its starting to looks like Dad's tree. (He looks around) I'll be right back.

(Evelyn goes upstairs to check on the younger children and when she returns, finds Jimmy has set out milk and cookies for Santa, a bottle of wine for

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