“The year was 1927, and I had just been crowned the Scrabble champion down at the Y,” Gramps told this story every Christmas. And every year, I was the one in our family appointed to listen to him. I drifted in and out of his stories, but he continued to ramble as if I were grasping everything he was saying. “My barbershop quartet had booted me from group and…”

“Ya don’t say?” I feigned interest every now and then. It kept him happy and it wasn’t any great effort on my part.

“It’s true, Tammy. They kicked me to the curb.” I didn’t bother correcting him. He never seems to remember my name is Cassie, no matter how many times I tell him. I looked around the room.

Aunt Linda was engaging the little ones in a sing along to the tune of Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer. My dad was smoking cigars with Uncle Max and his coworker, Rick something-or-other. My cousin Teddy was over by the eggnog, looking around the room suspiciously. I had to grin. Nobody ever knows what Teddy is up to, but we do know he’s always likely to get into trouble. He spotted me looking at him and winked at me. He filled two tall cups with eggnog and motioned towards the backdoor with his head before walking towards it.

“Now, your grandmother on the other hand, well she wasn’t going to have it. She went down to the newspaper and yelled at that editor until the cows came home! She always was a wily one.” Gramps was still talking.

“I’m sorry Gramps, will you excuse me?” I kept my eyes on Teddy as he slid sideways through the glass door into the backyard.

“Well sure, Martha. I have to call up President Carter anyhow.” He reached for the phone, I walked away wondering who he would actually get a hold of. I made my way to the sliding glass doors, almost making it without incident.

“Oh, Cassie honey! Can you help me set up the hors devours on the table?” My mom had her arms full of platters of bite sized foods. I looked to the backyard and saw the flick of a lighter illuminate Teddy’s face through the sliding glass doors.

“Actually, mom…” I racked my brain for an excuse, but was interrupted by my father before I came up with one. It’s a good thing he offered to help mom out, because I was no good at lying. At least, not on the spot like that. It took me time to think up lies. I made a beeline for the backdoor and slid through it quickly, stepping out of the light coming from outside.

“Cass,” Teddy’s voice almost startled me and I jumped to face him.

“God, you scared me. Having fun lurking in the shadows, Teddy?” I smirked.

“Having fun listening to Gramps’ stories about things that never happened?” Teddy laughed as he exhaled smoke into the cool night air. “Here,” He offered the cigarette to me. I hesitated as I remembered my last experience with smoking. “Don’t worry, it’s the good kind.” Like 15 year-olds knew the difference. I looked to the glass door, thinking that anyone could walk out and catch us.

“I would…” I trailed off as I pointed to the house. Teddy stood up, took a drag and grabbed the two glasses of eggnog I’d seen him get earlier.

“Come on, Cass.” He motioned me towards the wooded area behind the house. I followed even though I was a bit nervous. But in my mind, anything was better than listening to Gramps tell the same stories and trying my best to avoid passing under the mistletoe at the same time as Uncle Daryl.

We pushed our way through the sticks and bushes of the woods. I was now holding one of the glasses of eggnog, my hand cupped over the opening to prevent debris from falling into it. I walked behind Teddy, the smell of cigarette smoke following him. If I couldn’t see him, I could always just follow that scent. We walked, in silence, for only a few minutes before we reached a clearing.

“Look at that, Cassie.” I walked up along side Teddy who was staring up into the dark night sky, blowing a steady stream of smoke upwards.

“Wow,” I didn’t mean to say it. It was genuine amazement. You could see the stars so clearly from that spot in the woods. Teddy once again offered me the cigarette, which was a few drags away from reaching the filter. I took one small drag, and decided it would be my only one. For being the “good kind” it sure was horrible. As I stared at the sky, I realized how bright the moon was. It illuminated the entire clearing. Teddy and I could see each other quite well. He nudged my hand away from the top of my eggnog and poured in a strong smelling liquid out of a silver flask that shone in the light of the moon.

“What is that?” I asked as he poured the same stuff into his own glass.

“Christmas cheer,” He chuckled. “Cheers!” We both took large gulps from our glasses. The taste wasn’t too bad, but bad enough to distort my face. It made me warm though. Teddy laughed, probably at the face I had made. I laughed with him before taking another larger drink of the altered eggnog, this time controlling my facial expression.

“What do you think?” Teddy asked, eyes fixed on the stars.

“Of what: the eggnog or the sky?” I took another large drink, nearly finishing it.

“Well,” Teddy chugged the remainder of his nog, tossing the glass into some brush. “Both.”

“The eggnog tastes like shit.” I laughed before drinking the rest of mine and tossing my glass in the same spot that Teddy had. “But I could stare at the stars all night. I mean, the clarity of it all…it’s beautiful. I don’t think any present could measure up to this.”

“I disagree.” Teddy said as he turned and headed back from the way we came.

“Oh? Why is that?” I was following close behind, ready to hear what he had to say.

“Well,” He turned slightly, still walking. “I peaked at my presents this year.”

“What?” I was confused. Highly confused. This boy always had the strangest logic.

“If I hadn’t seen what I was getting this year, I could probably stand right along with you and agree with you. I could say the stars were the best gift you could get.” We reached my backyard again. “But I saw what I’m getting this year and I have to say, I hit the jackpot.” He smirked.

“That wouldn’t make a difference to me.” I protested as we reached the sliding glass doors.

“Are you sure, Cass?” Teddy leaned against the door and put his hands in his pockets.

“I’m sure.” I held my ground. What would the world be like without the stars, after all?

“Your parents got you a kitten.” He quickly turned and walked inside, making a face at me just as he closed the door behind him. I stood there, mouth open.

“You bastard.” I mumbled to myself. I took one last look at the stars, and went back inside.