Christmas Colors

By Joaquin Renero

Christmas Colors is a new A Christmas Carol for our modern hectic and often worrisome times. (Which seem to be sadly lacking in faith, hope, charity and magic.) It is the story of a family fragmented by distance and issues with their businesses, careers and personal and family relationships past and future. Determined to overcome this very Un-Christmas like spirit, the protagonist and narrator Jenny McKee, gathers her family together at their home in Austin, TX and proceeds to sprinkle a little Christmas cheer on them by motivating them to come together to prevent the loss of their fathers house painting business. In the course of the adventure new bonds are forged and a kind of strange Christmas magic begins to fuse the family back into a single motivated unit bent on overcoming their own fears and apprehensions, and unifying against the economic disaster of the past year. This Christmas miracle story is one of passion, whimsy, self-realization and renewal of faith; in God, belief in one another and even in the real Santa Claus. It is a fun; engaging family read that spreads the spirit of the Christmas colors, magic and cheer to every reader.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jul 1, 2011
• ISBN: 9781450281249

Joaquin Renero

Joaquin Renero was born to Gabriel Renero Lara and Olga Mejia Gonzalez on April 19, 1983 in La Paz, Mexico. He was the youngest of four siblings. As a young man his passion for writing started when he began writing articles for his state newspaper “El Sudcaliforniano” (The Southern Californian), where his work was very well received. While in boarding school and high school he published poems in the Kiski's literary and art magazine “Springs.” Joaquin was so impassioned about writing he would start short novels at home, bring them to school and polish them and try to put out a best seller by recess. One of his favorite books was The Little Prince. Much of his writing has the same air of the fantastic and magical that Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s writing had. As an ESL Student in America he became fascinated with American Literature among which were The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, which inspired him to write his first novel in Spanish, Lejos de Casa (Away from Home), which is soon to be published in his native country of Mexico. He graduated with a B.A. degree in Business Administration from the San Diego Christian College, and is currently pursuing his Masters in Professional Counseling through Grand Canyon University when not busy writing. Though his passion for expressing his inner struggles and philosophy in the form of creative writing is strong; it has also carried over into his writing the music and lyrics to hundreds of songs over the intervening years. You can find out more about his life and passions at his website: http://www.joaquinrenero.com. To date he has completed and is in the process of publishing two major works in English, Christmas Colors and The Enchanted Scrapbook. Mr. Renero now resides in Phoenix, Arizona.

Book preview

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty One

Chapter Twenty Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter One

Lynda, Lynda, wake up—hurry, I hear noises coming from downstairs. I said, as I whispered and moved my sister from one side to the bed to the other.

What? Where? Who? Santa?! Lynda replied suddenly as if she had been told she had won the lottery, shrieking, waking up Lumi and Quo; our two Cocker Spaniels.

Thanks for being discreesister; I know I can always count on you when it comes to that. I said.

Let’s run—run! Run Jenny! What are you doing staring at me! Let’s catch Santa doing his Christmas monkey business! She said, as she leapt up from the bed and headed downstairs.

Wait, Lynda! Your camera… we need proof! I yelled as I ran behind trying to catch up.

You were in charge of the camera, Jenny, not me! She said as she continued her way down the stairs.

We will regret this Lynda, let’s go upstairs for the camera! I said as I grabbed her shoulder and stopped her from her aimless run down the stairs.

Jenny, the camera is in my closet, second shelf, next to my other pair of PJ’s. You want proof; you head back and get it. I will be talking to him sweetly trying to distract him from leaving. As soon as you arrive make sure you snap a shot of him and me, Ok? Now go! She said.

Second shelf? Next to the PJ’s? I asked again.

Goooosh, yes! She replied, exasperated.

I turned around swiftly. In actual fact, I don’t know how I could have turned back? This was Santa we were talking about, nothing less. Every second meant losing an opportunity to meet him for the first time in our existence. Lynda and I had been trying to catch him for 5 years… yes! 5 years! Can you comprehend that?! That’s like 30 years in grown up years. Regardless, we always tried so hard not to fall asleep the night of the 24th but sooner or later, one of us would fall asleep. Then right after one awoke, well… the other of us would too. But that night, I didn’t happen that way. If I had a recording device you would have been able to hear what I heard when Lynda was dreaming: The cookies are mine Santa, we just put them there to tease you! Those were her exacts words, what can I say? I have a phenomenal baby sister!

So, second shelf… checked! But no camera! Wait a second? Did she take the camera with her? And just like that I heard the sweet sound of our Polaroid take a photo as I stood there… in her closet… being fooled by an 8 year old. I rushed back; maybe I could run just as fast as the speed of light and be part of that photo too. I always pictured that moment in my head differently. There, in my head, were two sisters having a Polaroid moment with our biggest fascination and mystery, the elusive Saint Nick himself. Now she had bagged him for herself! Trickster!

Lynda was in trouble this time, and simply saying, I’m sorry was so not going to fix it all up, not this year! Not this lifetime!

Jenny! I’m sorry! I totally forgot I had put the camera under the sofa last night. I forgot to tell you! Therefore, you couldn’t have known where I had placed it. I thought I was being clever! It was not trying to fool you on purpose. I swear! She said, as she held the camera in one hand and a photo still developing in the other… and there she said it, as if it really meant nothing to her, I’m sorry.

But I was too far gone. I could only see her mouth mumble until my sight got blurry, just like a picture is first revealed in a Polaroid… but I held myself together, and as far-gone as I was, I finally came back to my senses.

Lynda, sisters don’t do that to each other… they just don’t! Not on Christmas! Not ever! I said as I turned around dramatically and preceded, devastated, making my way upstairs.

No! I won’t have it like this! She said as I heard her ripping the only known photo ever taken of Santa. It might have been the only one in the world to ever be taken again. We had been practically waiting what seemed a lifetime for it.

Have what like this exactly? I replied as I stopped but I didn’t turn around just yet.

Christmas without you Jenny… it wouldn’t be Christmas at all. I mean; you’re my best friend! Well, not just that… you are my sister! And I could never possibly afford to lose that… ever. She replied.

I turned around as I saw a tear rolling down her cheek, and suddenly, one rolled down from mine as well. The pieces of her photo were lying on the floor. I looked at them regretting being so selfish in the first place; as I realized we both could have shared that picture together but it was a little too late now. A larger thing came in to my heart to replace my treasured Christmas mission to photograph Santa in the act; my baby sister had bigger soul than mine.

I should have let you have it. I replied.

"Have what… an empty Christmas? She replied.

No silly p.j.s! Your picture! Your picture with Santa! Honestly… I was just so excited… we both have been conspiring doing this together, planning it for sooooo long; but you did it, you made it happen, and whether with or without me in the picture… I should have let you have it and be happy for you and that moment! I’ve chosen to be jealous and selfish instead, if sorry doesn’t fix it right now, I will say it ‘til it does. I said.

I don’t see it that way… no need to say sorry. She replied.

How do you see it? I replied.

Merry Christmas? She asked.

I looked at her, shedding all of the energy we both had been putting in over the years in catching Santa together. I surrendered to her beautifully honest, simple words. She had won me back just like that! She did it! She even took a picture a self-portrait with him! But the truth was that she didn’t care; catching Santa wasn’t the whole point after all. Being without me was worse than never having caught him on film at all; or possibly any war she could have engaged herself in. I looked at her and smiled with peace, the war was over, between me and her, the only thing separating us was a hug.

Merry Christmas it is! I said to her then I ran to her as she ran to me. We hugged each other, winning each other’s trust again. I must state a simple truth: There’s no Christmas without a home, without a family, and without the coziness that the holiday brings… but simply, there’s no Christmas for me without her.

Chapter Two

Ever since that year none of us had seen Santa, nor heard him downstairs again. The cookies were always gone; the glass of milk was always empty but Santa was nowhere to be found. He is like a super hero! He saves all of us in one night.

In the blink of an eye, ten years have gone by and little Lynda is now eighteen; and big sister Jenny is now nineteen. As for my two brothers Liam and Everest… well… they are just old and older. I now live my dream in New York City; I’ve finally made it to the big apple, and let me tell you something I know for a fact; it is much, much juicier than what you could possibly imagine.

Mother of mine, what is the plan for this Christmas? I asked her as we talked on the phone.

Just now, I am trying to get a hold of Liam and he is nowhere to be found. Ever since he got his job promotion and was relocated he hardly ever comes home or calls me. I guess he thinks he is too good for us, for this home… your dad keeps on saying it’s a phase; but how long is this snobby phase of his is going to last Jenny? I suppose I will have to endure it for as long as he can keep it up. She replied with desperation.

Oh momma, Liam is not your only son. How about Everest? I asked.

He is coming for sure. He never misses it for anything. And rumors are that he has been dating now for a few months, so I asked him to bring his girlfriend home with him for the first time, her name is Sandra. You know how he is, shy and reserved. I was starting to suspect this girlfriend of his did not really exist!

Oh! That is so sweet of him! Who would have guessed Everest was going to be formally engaged before Liam, you know? I asked.

Liam always seemed the deep, steady relationship type I know, but you never know; you never know Jenny, Liam now is the non-relationship and the non-family oriented type. She said.

Let’s not talk about Liam anymore, I will fix that up. Anyway, I just heard Lynda is joining the ballet conservatory next year. I said.

She keeps on saying that… she says that’s all she ever wants to do for the rest of her life but… people change, Jenny… we all do at some point. She said sadly.

Mom, are you ok? I asked.

I guess next year I will be all alone. She replied as she broke into tears. I mean, Lynda is the only one living home now but next year she is going to Los Angeles to pursue her dream and I, well… I stay home…home alone! She said crying her heart out.

Mom, you have dad too! Doesn’t he count for not being alone? I said.

Dad? He works too much! More than ever before… ever since he decided to open his ‘Color Your Life’ Paint and Decoration Center, he spends every single hour there. He’s become a ghost; I think I might be hallucinating; I do sometimes see him when he is getting ready to leave. I practically have no husband! She said.

I promise you something mom, we will have an amazing Christmas! I will be the one responsible and in charge for that. Stop crying your heart out. I am calling Liam as soon as we get off the phone and asking him to get a plane ticket same day as me, that way we can save a trip to and from the airport, how does that sound? I replied.

Good luck with getting Liam home! She replied sarcastically.

Is everything ok besides your upcoming loneliness? I asked.

Well Jenny, I don’t want to talk about it now, it is Christmas after all. She said, sounding miserable.

Mom there’s never good timing for bad news. I told her.

Who said there was bad news? She replied quickly.

"Mom… you’re my mom. I know you!" she said.

Jenny? She asked.

Yes mom? I asked.

I miss you sweetheart! She said, as I heard her crying again.

Oohhh mom, I will be there in two weeks! And I will spend each day making sure we have the best Christmas ever! I replied.

Why do I feel our home is falling apart? She asked with her broken heart in her hands.

Because you were right when you said people change. I replied.

My family was definitely not the same as it was ten years ago. People do change; we all do sooner or later. It is not a bad thing; change is good if it is for best. When you are a parent, you get the big picture, you see your kids change from babies to kids, from kids to teenagers, and then to adults. This last phase being, rhetorically speaking, the hardest for most parents because the count down had begun when the babies they saw transforming into adults must fly away from the nest.

The story of the McKees household tells the tale of six main characters. My parents were born and raised in Austin, Texas where the rest of us were also born and raised and grew up. My dad, Caspian, is an exceptionally hard working man; he has an excuse for it, what he does come from the heart. He simply loves his job. My mom, Theresa, is the head of the family and the one that makes sure we are all still alive and functioning suitably. Liam is the oldest brother and is as smart as a rocket scientist but can’t find his heart. He moved to Boston, Massachusetts after he got a job there being what he loves being the most; a bioengineer for a major company. And, what does a bioengineer do? Their title says it all, they mix biology with engineering, mostly working with doctors and biologists creating and developing grand medical devices, such as artificial hearts. Simplified, they make great things! Everest was just one year younger than Liam and he is the low key one of the family; he lives only twenty minutes down the road from mom and dad. He never finished college; he said the usual things about it as well, that it wasn’t for him and that he felt as if it was a waste of his time and money; but surely we all respect that. There’s a big gap of six years before you get to me, the first artist in the family and the free spirited one; I’m Jenny in case we didn’t have a proper introduction. I was pursuing my biggest interest, career-wise; I wanted to become a computer graphics artist. My little sister Lynda came unannounced one year after me, she is an artist too but she is into a much more different kind of art than me, hers requires more discipline. She has been taking ballet classes since she was ten and she never left it or got over it… it became her passion.

This year a mission was given to me. The mission simply was for me to get my family back together again. How was I going to accomplish that? After hanging up the phone with my mom, I closed my eyes. I took a big breath and opened them back as I stared to the outside, seeing how beautifully the snow falls down, and how every snow flake covered everything it touched. A suggestion landed upon my eyes like a single snowflake, delicate and beautiful; only the Christmas spirit knew how to accomplish my mission, and I clearly needed to get in-depth in touch with it. And I had to begin ASAP!

There after, I cruised to the store to buy a three foot tall Christmas tree and a set of lights to go with it. In the Big Apple, you are lucky if you live in a studio apartment with no roommates… in mine there was only room for a lot of questions, my ever so cute lit-up mini-Christmas Tree, and me with a cup of coffee made with just the right amount of Christmas love.

Chapter Three

Two weeks later, I landed at 4:45pm at Austin-Bergstrom International airport. I picked up my cell phone as I stepped out from the airplane and called Liam to check on him.

Hello Jenny. He said with his monotone voice.

Hi Liam! How is the most exciting brother in the world doing? I asked sarcastically.

"I’m doing just fine, hate Austin that’s why I moved away from here in the first place.… Anyway,