"Hey Mike," Peter said.
"Yeah Pete,' Mike said, turning away from his newspaper.
"Ever since Davy's been here, I've been thinking about how fortunate we are. At least we have a roof over our heads. I'm sorry for blasting you a few days ago about a Christmas tree. It's just my first Christmas away from home, and well I was hoping Christmas would be a little more festive," Peter said with his head down.
"I know what you mean Pete, and I forgive you," Mike said, slapping his buddy on the back.
"Hey man, I'm sorry too," Micky said, entering the living room.
"Aw, that's ok. We don't have much, but at least we have our friendship," Mike said, putting an arm around each of his friends.
Christmas Eve came, and Davy and Mike had been gone most of the day, but Peter and Micky had no idea where they were.
"Hey Pete, where's Mike at?" Micky asked.
"I have no idea, he just said he had errands to run. Have you seen Davy?" Peter asked Micky.
"Yeah, he left here in his old rags. I hope he hasn't decided to leave," Micky said.
"Yeah, me too. Anyway, I've got some stuff to do in my room," Peter said.
"Yeah, me too. Talk to you later Pete," Micky said. So both of them went to their rooms.
Later that afternoon, Micky, Peter, and Davy were getting ready to go to the Christmas dinner at Saint Mary's. They met in the living room, laughing and talking, that's when they found Mike laying on the couch.
"Hey Mike, it's time to go to dinner," Micky said.
"Oh, you guys go ahead. I'm not feeling too well," Mike said weakly.
"Are you sure?" Peter asked.
"Yeah, go have a good time. See ya later," Mike said, laying his head back on the couch.
"Ok mate, we'll bring ya back a pla' of food," Davy said.
"Good bye Mike," the three said in unison.
"Bye," Mike said. As soon as the door shut, Mike sat up. He waited a minute or two until he knew the guys were gone. Then he got up quickly. He sure had alot of work to do.
A couple of hours later, Micky, Peter, and Davy came home very full and very happy. They came through the door singing Christmas carols, but suddenly stopped when they seen the sight before them.
In the corner of the bandstand was a Christmas tree complete with lights, ornaments, tinsel, and a beautiful star on top of it. A white sheet had been draped around the bottom of the tree. A few small presents were set around it and there was a manger scene out in front. On the kitchen table was a bowl of punch and a plate of cookies. There were also some candles on the table.
"Merry Christmas guys!" Mike yelled with a smile.
"What the...how? Why?" Was Micky's response.
Peter and Davy were absolutely speechless.
"Come on, let's open these gifts," Mike said.
As they dug into their presents, Mike's gifts came first. For Davy was a couple of shirts, a couple pairs of pants, a pack of socks, and a pack of underwear. For Micky, a new set of drum sticks. For Peter, a new guitar strap.
"Gee, thanks for the clothes Mike," Davy said, trying on one of his new shirts.
"Yes, this guitar strap is beautiful," Peter exclaimed.
"Aw, think nothing of it," Mike answered bashfully.
"Gee, these are groovy," Micky said, examining his new drum sticks, "I just wish I knew how you did it. I mean the presents, the tree, and everything."
"I think I know how he did it Micky," Peter said, drawing Micky's attention to the center of the bandstand. They both noticed Mike's guitar was missing.
"Oh please tell me you didn't do what I think you did," Micky said, feeling quite guilty for the comments he had made to Mike at the beginning of that week.
"Ok, I didn't," Mike said with a smile. Micky knew he was lying, of course.
"Man, you shouldn't have pawned your guitar. You really didn't have to do all this," Micky said as he hugged Mike.
"I know that," Mike replied.
"You loved that guitar Michael," Peter responded.
"Yes I did, but not as much as my friends. Besides, I saved back enough to get a cheapy until I can get a better guitar," Mike reassured them.
"I want to give my presents next," Peter yelled as he ran to his room. He came back with three strings of beads.
"Merry Christmas guys," Peter said as he placed a string of beads around each guy's neck.
"These are really pretty. Did you make these?" Micky asked.
"Yup," Peter replied.
"Why thank you Peter," Mike said, admiring his beads.
"I've neveh 'ad a 'and made gif' before," Davy said.
"I call them friendship beads. This makes us friends forever," Peter told them.
"Me next!" Micky shouted.
"No, I have one extra gift for Davy," Peter announced. He handed Davy a package that was wrapped in old newspaper. Davy quickly unwrapped the gift.
"Oh Petah!" Davy gasped in surprise.
"Peter, that's your teddy bear. Are you really willing to part with him?" Mike asked.
"Davy needs him more than I do. He's had a really rough time," Peter told Mike.
"Thank you Petah. I'll always cherish 'im," Davy said, giving Peter a hug.
"Ok, now it's my turn," Micky said. He ran up the stairs and then quickly came sliding down the banister with a bag in his hand.
He had made some wooden items from scrap lumber that a nearby construction site said he could have.
"Thank you Micky," Mike said a little puzzled as he looked at his gift.
"It's a box to put your guitar picks in, see?" Micky said, demonstrating the box's purpose.
"Thanks for the flower box. Now I can plant something this Spring," Peter said.
"You're welcome Pete," Micky replied with a smile.
"'ey, thanks for the gif'" Davy said. He opened a cigar box that contained a comb, a hairbrush, and a razor.
"Sorry for the strange gift. I didn't know what to make for you," Micky apologized.
"That's alrigh'. I like i'," Davy said. "Ok, I 'ave gifts for you all as well." Davy went into the room him and Peter were sharing and brought out three gifts wrapped in brown butcher's paper. The guys were shocked. They knew Davy didn't have any money.
"Before we open these, promise us these aren't stolen," Mike said with concern.
"No, I earned the money for them. I was singing on a stree' cornah today. I earned five dollahs, and I would 'ave gotten more if a cop 'adn't run me off. I think 'e would 'ave arrested me, but 'e probably felt sorry for me in me old rags," Davy explained.
Peter opened his first. It was a cross-stitched sign that read "Money is the root of all evil".
"Thank you Davy. I think I'll hang it out here where everyone can enjoy it," Peter said.
Micky was next. Davy had gotten him a pair of sunglasses.
Micky put them on and did an impersonation of James Cagney.
"You dirt rat! You're the rat that killed my brotha...MMMM," Micky said. Everyone laughed.
"Thanks Davy," Micky said.
Mike opened his last. It was an olive green wool hat.
"Thanks Davy," Mike said, placing the hat on his head.
"That'll keep your 'ead warm," Davy said.
"Hey Mike, that looks good on you," Micky commented.
"Sure does," Mike replied as he looked in the mirror. he then turned to Davy. "Davy, we've got one more thing for ya. It's from all of us."
"Wow!" Davy exclaimed.
"How would you like to live with us permanently and be in our band?" Mike asked.
"You must be joking! Really, you wan' me 'ere?" Davy asked in shock.
"You're a Monkee through and through," Micky said.
"You're the something that was missing in our sound. The four of us sound great together," Peter said.
"Yep shotgun, this is no joke. How about it?" Mike asked.
They all stood their earnestly waiting for an answer.
"Yes, I would love to be a membah of this group," Davy replied. All the Monkees cheered, as they shook Davy's hand and slapped him on the back.
That evening, the Monkees sat together and talked about how much they loved their gifts, as simple as they were.
"You know, I think I got the best gift of all," Mike said as he stood at the mirror and adjusting his cap.
"A hat? That's the best gift ever?" Micky asked.
"No, I mean we helped somebody and made a new friend. It feels great," Mike admitted.
" 'ey, let's all sing a song togetha," Davy suggested.
"What did ya have in mind?" Mike asked. Davy told him and Mike said he knew how to play it. Micky and Peter liked the idea too.
Soon, all four Monkees were singing:
Silent night, Holy night. All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin, mother and child.
Holy infant so tender and mild.
Sleep in Heavenly peace. Sleep in Heavenly peace.
Merry Christmas to all my Monkee sisters, and brothers, if you are out there.
Remember Jesus is always the reason for the season.
Chapter 2
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