CHRISTMAS 1981
They’d
left him with very clear instructions.
“Murdock,
stand here and keep watch.”
Not
that they had actually said what he was supposed to be keeping watch for, or
why he had to keep watch while standing outside Macy’s in the middle of a
crowded, festive infected mall. In fact,
they had been pretty elusive about the whole thing, and he was starting to
suspect that it was just a ploy to keep him out the way.
But
why? What where they doing?
Maybe
they were buying his present or something.
Ooh, exciting. He tried to imagine what they might get him. Books were a good bet, especially since,
thanks to
Or
maybe they were going to get him something else, something different. A new novelty toy? Face was usually great at choosing those. He always seemed to come up with something
that would amuse and annoy the nurses at the VA, and keep Murdock entertained
for hours.
So,
stand and keep watch. He could do that.
In
fact it was almost fun. There was
something he found oddly fascinating about watching all the people pass. Looking at their faces, at the way they
walked, at the way they spoke to each other.
The Christmas rush certainly seemed to be in full force, with the
last-minute crowds of shoppers pushing past him to get what they wanted. People of all ages, races and gender were
rushing around to make sure they were prepared for the big day.
And
he stood and watched them all.
Mostly,
the mass of shoppers ignored him. A few
times people almost walked into him, not looking where they were going due to a
preoccupation with their bags, or unruly children who were objecting to the
hours of being dragged around so many different stores. Smiling, he just stepped out their way and
let them pass. Watching them disappear
into the distance, he allowed himself the pleasure of wondering just what kind
of Christmas they were going to have.
Maybe they came from a big family with lots of presents and noise and
colour at Christmas. Maybe they came
from smaller families, just a couple perhaps, celebrating their first Christmas
together. Maybe they would be going away
for Christmas. Maybe…
A
bump on his legs broke off his thoughts, and looking down, he found himself
gazing into a set of big hazel eyes.
The
little boy stared up at him, and the surprise and confusion which registered on
his elf-like face was all it took for the boy’s fist to open, and the toy he
grasped clattered to the floor. The boy
didn’t move though, just continued to stand and stare blankly upwards at
Murdock.
Murdock
slowly bent down, reaching out to pick up the toy. It was a very simple one, brightly coloured,
and perhaps the strangest looking airplane he had ever seen. It had two large red balloon-type wheels and a
yellow propeller blade, and Murdock found himself smiling broadly at the sight
of the pilot in the yellow flight helmet.
The
little boy continued to stare at him, not moving. Nodding respectfully, Murdock wordlessly
handed the toy airplane back to him. The
little boy smiled slightly before turning and running off. Murdock stood and watched him as he trotted quickly
towards where a group of people were standing.
The
exchange had only taken a matter of seconds, but the moment, for some reason,
seemed to have lasted longer.
“Whatcha smiling at, fool?
You supposed to be keeping watch,” BA growled, suddenly appearing, a bag
under one arm.
Murdock
ignored him and instead continued to watch as the boy was noticed by a woman
who had been looking around, a concerned look on her face as if she had lost
something. Spotting the boy, her expression
turned to one of relief, and quickly chastising him for running off, took his
little hand firmly in her own.
“I
am keeping watch, big guy,” he said, slowly turning back to where BA now
stood. “I was just returning a little bird
to its rightful owner.”
BA
looked confused, but Murdock just grinned.
“Come on, BA, where the others?
Have you got my present yet?
What’s the big surprise?
Well? Well?”
BA
just looked at him. “Whatcha
jibber-jabbering about, fool?”
Murdock
rolled his eyes. “Well, I see you’re all
clued into events, Mr I-don’t-smile-even-during-Christmas.”
“Hey,
you’re nuts, man.”
Murdock
grinned. “I know, BA, but you know
what?”
“What?”
Murdock’s
grin spread further. “You wouldn’t want
it any other way. Merry Christmas.”
*-*-*
