CHRISTMAS 1972

 

 

Christmas had always been his favourite time of year.  With such a large family it was a great excuse for them to all get together under one roof, make a lot of noise and talk about things no one else would understand. For his family, Christmas, in particular, had always been a time for laughter, thankfulness and remembrance. They would laugh over what they had done during the year, be thankful for the safe births of new family members and remember all those who for what ever reason would not be able to be with them that year.

 

And this year was the fifth Christmas in a row he was missing.  Away from his family. Away from his mama.  He had hoped he would be able to make it this year, but like last year, that had proved to be impossible. The military was still hot on their tail and Colonel Lynch wasn’t the sort of guy to let up the search just because it was the holiday season. So, yet again, he was going to miss out on all the family games, laughter and gossip.  

 

For a moment he wondered if he would even be missed. After all, there were enough younger members of the family who didn’t even know he existed. New baby cousins, new cousin’s babies, new in-laws and step-in-laws and half-in-laws. And an outlaw. Him. Bosco Baracus. Green Beret Sergeant. Wanted by the military police for a crime he and the rest of the team had not committed.

 

He sighed.

 

Would his family even talk about him this year?  What would they say? Did any of them even believe he was innocent? His mama did. He was sure of that. He had never been able to lie to his mama, so he knew she knew he was telling the truth when he said they were innocent. His mama would miss him. And he missed her, dreadfully, especially at this time of year. 

 

Family. They would probably be meeting at Uncle Thomas’ place, it was the largest after all. They’d exchange gifts, have a huge Christmas meal and when it was over they would, they would… 

 

“BA.” 

 

The voice startled him enough to look across what where his commanding officer sat, an unlit cigar in his hand. 

 

“You okay, Sergeant? You look a little… distracted.” 

 

Lost in thought was more like it. 

 

“I’m fine,” he said quickly, returning his gaze to the road. 

 

He knew the colonel wasn’t totally convinced, but he just hoped Hannibal would drop it. The last thing he wanted was an in-depth probe into the workings of his mind. 

 

“Maybe we should take a break,” Hannibal offered instead. “Looks like we could do with some gas and I think we all need to stretch our legs, grab a bite to eat. Of course, that means waking sleeping beauty back there.” 

 

BA found himself smiling as he glanced back using his mirrors to see Face stretched out on the back seat of the car, eyes closed, appearing to be sleeping like a baby. 

 

“Shame,” he agreed, shooting Hannibal a wicked grin. The lieutenant did look very comfortable, arms folded against his chest, head resting on the corner where the seat and door met, his thick blond hair falling into his face. He certainly looked younger than his twenty-two years would have suggested. 

 

Still smiling, BA took the next turning off the main road, pulling into a small, quiet little town. It didn’t take long to find the local gas station and get the car filled up.  Pumping the gas, he watched as Hannibal woke up a protesting Face, before the two of them headed in the direction of a small diner.

 

After paying, he drove to the diner’s parking lot, and getting out joined Hannibal and Face inside, glad himself for the chance to stretch his legs.  

 

The diner looked as if it could have belonged anywhere; the counter, the tables, the jukebox in one corner that didn’t look as if it had been played since Buddy Holly’s untimely accident. Faded streamers ran across the walls and ceiling in an attempt to get into the Christmas spirit and he even noted a small tree in one corner with a one armed angel balanced precariously on top. 

 

“What will it be, boys?” 

 

They ordered their food quickly, hoping it was of a higher standard than the décor, before settling into their usual, lively conversations. Actually, Hannibal and Face talked, BA found he preferred to watch them, maybe making an odd comment here and there, but for the most part kept out of the conversation. Just watched. Just as he would have with his family back home. You found out interesting things about people when you watched them. But most of all, it was comforting to know that you weren’t alone.  

 

They stayed an hour or so, talking and eating, before deciding it was time to return to the road. They still had a long way to go in order to get back to Westwood and Murdock before nightfall. Murdock may still be a crazy fool, but he was their crazy fool. He was family. Their family, and they were not about to leave him on his own for Christmas. 

 

Pausing by the car, he felt in his pocket for the picture of all four of them taken just a few months before.  

 

“BA?” 

 

Ignoring the colonel, he said he’d be right back and heading to the small convenience, bought an envelope and a stamp.  Scribbling a short note to his mother on the back of the picture, he slipped it into the envelope and sealed it. Adding the address and stamp to the envelope he then dropped it in a mail box. Hopefully, it would get to his mother before Christmas. After all, he didn’t want her to worry. He may not be able to be with his biological family this Christmas, but there was more to family than just blood ties. 

 

He walked back out to the car and got in, taking a second to look at both Hannibal and Face. Oh yes, family was a lot more than just blood ties.  

 

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