I love Emersyn’s writing. She loves to read and it reflects in her writing assignments. This assignment was due before we left for the Christmas break.

A Christmas Story by Emersyn Lyon

“Dude! This Christmas is going to be so awesome!” Ty exclaimed as he and Dylan were skateboarding down the hill to the park, his tanned cheeks rosy from the wind, his reddish blond hair bouncing. “We get to make gingerbread houses and-” Dylan shot him a look. “We get to eat all the candy we want! I can’t wait to get my hands on the Hot Tomales!”

“Whatever.” Dylan replied. Dylan had dark brown hair cut just above his eye. He has dark chocolate eyes; you can barely see the pupils.

“What is it with you and Christmas?” Ty asked.

Dylan shrugged. “I don’t know. The whole Santa Claus traveling around the world. Christmas carolers everywhere. Everybody always has smiles plastered on their faces. It freaks me out. Plus, I have to spend the entire day with all of my family relatives. You have no idea what Aunt Suzy’s mole looks like!” He shuddered.

“Yea, well, just don’t spoil it for Allie.”

“Easy for you to say. You don’t live with her during Christmas.”

“She’s adorable!”

“Can we just forget about this conversation? Please?” At the park they bought ice cream and skated down Luther Road. By the time they got back to Dylan’s house it was 5:00.

“I better get home, ” Ty told Dylan, “See ya tomorrow.”

“Bye, ” Dylan replied. Dylan walked up to the door. It was 3 weeks before Christmas and his family already had lights all over the house. “Oh great, ” He muttered. He opened the door.

“Dylan, Dylan, Dylan!” Allie squealed. Her curly dirty blond hair bouncing up and down. “Guess what!”
“What?” Dylan said with a bored tone.

“Tomorrow Mrs. Nancy is giving my class hot chocolate and we get to make Christmas cards.”

“No way!” Dylan said in a sarcastic tone.

“What’s wrong?” Allie asked.

“Nothing, and why would you care?” Dylan replied.

“Your my brother and-” Dylan was already down the hall and slammed the door in his room. “Humph. He never wants to spend any time with me.” Allie muttered.

Dylan saw Ty at school and they skateboarded home. “So … how’s your Christmas coming?” Dylan asked Ty just to start a conversation.

“Great! I made a gingerbread house and it is amazing! It has candy and frosting all over. When Christmas is over I think I’m going to have to eat it.” Ty reported.

“Gross!” Dylan replied. “It’s going to be, like, a week and a half old!”

“It’s so tempting though!” Ty explained.

“Whatever, ” Dylan said. “But if you get sick, remember, I warned you.”

“Hate to break it to you, but I do not get sick.” Ty retorted.

“Really?” Dylan said in a sarcastic tone. “What about that time at camp, and that time at my house, and that time in second grade, and the time-”

“Okay, Okay! Except for those times then I never get sick.” Ty said.

“I’ve got to go.” Dylan said. He and Ty parted ways and Dylan skated boarded up to his porch. When he opened the door he was greeted by a squealing Allie.

“DYLAN! Do you want to help us decorate the tree! Daddy says I get to put the Angel on top because I’m his little angel!” she gave a little giggle.

“Um…no!” He replied

“Why not? You used to love Christmas with us.” Allie asked

“Well, I’ve grown up now and you should too!” Dylan almost yelled.

“Why are you so mean now?!” Allie cried. Then she ran off crying.
“Whatever, ” Dylan muttered, but in his heart there was a pang of guilt.

“Allie hurry up or I’m going to leave you!” Dylan threatened.

“I’m coming, I’m coming.” Allie replied happily. It was three days till Christmas and Dylan hated it. “I’m ready, ” Allie said as she came down the stairs. She was wearing a knitted red hat with a fluffy green pom-pom on top with identical mittens. She wore a red dress with brown leggings and had a huge smile on her face.

“The bus is going to leave, ” Dylan said again.

“I’m right here, ” Allie said. She grabbed her back pack and headed toward the door. Out side it was snowing lightly and over night the a few new layer of show covered the ground. “Don’t you just love the snow everywhere?” Allie asked as she caught snowflakes on her tong.

“Yea, beautiful, gorgeous, now lets go.” Dylan said sarcastically. They waited till the light was green then they began to cross the road.

“Look!” Allie squealed.

“What?” Dylan was out of patience.

“Look at the dog across the road.” Allie told Dylan. Sure enough, there was a ginger colored dog the size of two milk jugs. “It’s so cute!” Allie squealed again.

Allie ran across the road to pet the dog. “Wait!” Dylan called. He ran after her.

Allie kneeled down in the snow and pet the dog. “He’s the color of ginger.” Allie informed Dylan.

“How beautiful, ” Dylan said in monotone. “Now, LET’S GET ON THE BUS!”

“I’m coming, I’m coming.” She replied. “Now you stay right here until I get back from school. Okay?” Allie told the dog. The dog barked once.

“Look!” Allie said on the way home. She pointed out the window to the ginger colored dog they saw this morning. The bus door opened and Allie hopped out. “You stayed here!” She said smiling from ear to ear.

“I’m going to the house, ” Dylan called.

“Okay, come on little puppy, ” Allie coaxed the dog.

“MOM! DAD! CAN YOU COME HERE?” She yelled. Her parents can and stood in the door way. “Well, I was wondering if we could adopt a dog.” Allie told them. She stepped aside to reveal the ginger colored dog.

“Oh, sweetie, ” Her mom said.

“It could be my Christmas and birthday present for forever. Please?” Allie asked.

Allie’s dad looked at her mom “It would teach them good responsibility.”

“Wait a minute, ” Dylan said, “as in ‘them’ do you mean Allie and me? That is not going to happen. She wants the dog, not me.” Dylan pointed at Allie.

“Please Dylan.” Allie said giving him her best puppy dog face. “Please, please, please with a cheery on top with sprinkles and ice cream and-”

“No.” Dylan said flatly interrupting Allie. “No, I will not be responsible for that dog. I don’t even want a dog. I have a life and I don’t want it ruined by a stupid dog!” Dylan’s voice rising until he was almost yelling. “No!”

Allie’s lower lip trembled, “But-”

“No! End of conversation, thank you.” Dylan said then turned and walked away.

“Mommy, Daddy, please.” Allie asked again almost in tears. She hugged the dog and he whimpered. “Please, ”

“Sorry Angel, ” Allie’s Dad said. “You and your brother have to be the ones taking care of it. Not me and your mother.”

“Mom?” Allie asked weakly.

“I’m sorry, ” She said gently, “but the answer is no.”

Then Allie burst into tears.

“I HATE YOU!” Allie screamed at Dylan later that night. “YOU ARE A COLD HEARTED, GOOD FOR NOTHING, TERRIBLE BROTHER! I HATE YOU!” Allie screamed again.

“Is this all because of that stupid dog?” Dylan asked, his tone bored.

“THAT DOG IS NOT STUPID! YOU ARE!” Allie yelled.

“No, I’m not stupid.” Dylan said flatly, “That dog is stupid and you are being stupid. It’s just a dog. Grow up.”

“I HATE YOU! I WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU! YOU DON’T EVEN CARE ABOUT ME ANYMORE! I MIGHT AS WELL BE A GERM! I’M INVISIBLE TO YOU!” Allie screamed. She turned around and stomped out, slamming the door.

“Ahhhh, ” Dylan said as he woke up. Today was December 25. They had the day off from school and he planned on staying in his room all day. “I hate Christmas, ” He muttered.

The day went by as a blur. He opened presents, played in the snow (against his will), played with Allie (again, against his will), etc. The finally it was night time. Christmas was almost over. It was dinner time and he had to sit next to Aunt Suzy. Her mole was the size of a button! All Dylan could think about was going to be and have this day be over-

“Look!” Allie screamed and Dylan’s thoughts were interrupted. “It’s Ginger!”

“Who?” Dylan asked.

“The dog that you hate, ” Allie replied menacingly. Allie scooted back in her chair and made a beeline for the door.

“Wait, ” Her mom called, but Allie had already flung the door open and was walking down the porch steps, careful not to slip.
Dylan, his Dad and Mom all rushed to the stair, but it’s too late. Suddenly, a car comes speeding around the corner. Allie is already running across the road to reach Ginger. The dog starts running toward Allie. She slipped on the ice. “Ruff! Ruff!”

“AAAAAHHHHH!” Allie screams. The car keeps going. Allie lies in the middle of the road, Ginger barking crazily at the car. Ginger runs over to where Allie lays. The car swerves to the other lane and everything is quiet again.

“Allie!” Her Mom cries running across the street to her. Dylan stands there, frozen. The scene plays over and over in his head. “Dylan, call 911, right now.” Her voice was stern. Dylan didn’t move. “DYLAN!” His Mom barked. Dylan ran up the steps and into the house and called 911.

“Uuuuuhhhh, ” Allie moaned. She opened her eyes. Everything was a little blurry, but she could make out the shapes of her family. “Mom? Dad? Dylan?” She asked.

“We’re right here sweetie, ” her mom said, “How are you feeling?”

“My head hurts, a lot, ” Allie replied.

“Where’s Dylan?” Allie asked.

“I’m right here, ” Dylan replied. He was standing in the corner of the room. “I’m sorry, Allie.”

“For what?” Allie asked.

“For being a mean brother, ” he replied.

“I forgive you, ” Allie said.

“Before I forget, ” Dylan said, “I have a little Christmas present for you.” Dylan whistled then opened the door.

The ginger colored dog ran in and put his front paws on Allie’s hospital bed. “Hi, Ginger!” She said.

“Do you think this would make up for me being a bad brother and your Christmas present?” Dylan asked.

“Perfect, ” Allie replied.