SPENCER’S P.O.V.

I woke up this morning toa crying Lizzie, surprised Ashley wasn’t here. Supposedly, she went somewhere with my dad.

It’s sort of a tradition, but the day after thanksgiving, my mom always puts up the Christmas tree. So I’m in the living room helping her while Lizzie is in her car seat sleeping.

Paula: “Spence, can you pass me the clear lights?” She asks, and I hand them to her.

Spencer: “So where’s Christine?”

Paula: “She and Mark went shopping. You know they’re having all these after Thanksgiving sales.”

Spencer: “Right, they probably want to get Christmas gifts for everyone before they leave Sunday.” I say, putting ornaments on the tree. Jake comes in from the backyard.

Jake: “Mrs. Carlin, if it wouldn’t be too much trouble, may I have some of yesterdays delicious dinner?”

Paula: “Yes you may Jake.” She says to him. “I’ll be right back, you can keep putting stuff on.” She says, then goes to the kitchen.

The front door opens and in walks my dad with bags.

Arthur: “Hey Spence.” He kisses my head. “I’m going to put this stuff away.” He says, then goes to his room. I chuckle inside, he always buys gifts and hides them, then puts them under the tree Christmas Eve.

Ashley: “Hey!” She says happily. “Look what I got for Lizzie.” She pushes in a small toy stroller and I laugh.

Spencer: “Oh my gosh Ash, its cute!”

Ashley: “Yeah, I thought so too.” She grins. “I got some more stuff in the car.” I pick up Lizzie and follow Ashley out to her car. She opens the trunk revealing a baby doll crib and bags full of clothes.

Spencer: “Ash!”

Ashley: “What’s wrong?”

Spencer: “You bought all this stuff for a doll!”

Ashley: “Yeah, I had to get it from Toys ‘R’ Us.” She says proudly.

Spencer: “But we only have her for two more days!”

Ashley: “Oh…I forgot that part.”

Spencer: “Ash this is really sweet, and if Lizzie were real we’d definitely use all this stuff, but she’s not. We have to give her back on Monday, so it‘s not like we’re gonna use this stuff for real.”

Ashley: “You want me to take this stuff back, right?” She asks sadly.