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Then I went one a bit more calmly "Now I love money. For the things they give me the freedom to do. ... and I
also like pretty shining things - naughty Jack. But if I have understood this thing right we won't get any Christmas if this
jewel isn't brought back to Mrs. Claus before the big day. Right, Hannibal?"
"Yes, that's absolutely right" Hannibal said.
Happy
that the yelling seemed to be over he went on "It's a sort of symbol of Mr. and Mrs. Claus' love for each other as far as
I know. And if that is not there - the love ... If Mum and Dad doesn't love each other there won't be much Christmas in that
household, will there?"
Jack protested "But they don't love each other! He has left with that silly little twit to Jordana.
... no, sorry - I shouldn't call her silly. You are delightfully silly, Meeps. She's just not the sharpest knife in the drawer
brain-wise, savvy?"
Bon Bon giggled "Maybe he don't love her for her brain"
But while nodding Johnny apparently didn't
find things so funny.
"Then we can only have Christmas if he gets back to her - loving her as before ... And - and if you steal the
Spirit of Christmas, Jack Sparrow, I'll - I'll - I will personally drag you around the whole of Fantasia and Elfwood and what
ever else imaginary country and kingdom there is here and make you explain to all the little kids - of every race, creed,
colour - SEX - why there's no Christmas this year !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" he said while hitting the table with his fist making
the glasses dance.
For a moment we just sat there staring - and in Johnny and Jack's cases glaring - at each other.
Then suddenly
I couldn't help giggling and had to lean on Johnny for support. "What?" he asked "What's so funny, baby birdie?"
"Nothing!"
I laughed.
But then when they all insisted to hear what was so funny I straightened and said with a smile "I just - in
my mind's eye - saw you two staggering up the garden path at home leaning on each other totally beat after having been around
talking to all those kids. It will take years. ... and I don't wish to miss either of you for years" I ended more serious
and looked a bit worried at my darling.
"Oh, you won't, Chickiepoo" Jack said with a smile of his own while he started
to roll yet another cigarette. "I won't take the jewel. ... except if the opportunity present itself and then I'll give it
back to Mrs. Claus. I just wanted to see if you were in on it or not"
"You are crazy" Bon Bon laughed and pushed him a
bit almost getting Tinkerbell to fall off. After she was safely perched again Bon Bon went on "Will you try and do something
about this? Johnny - Meeps? I mean - I have no children of my own but have been one a long while ago and can remember how
exciting and very nice in many ways the whole Christmas thing was ... Until one decided one was really too old for such childish
things - he. But even then ..."
"We can try" Johnny smiled "But what's wrong, Jack? You look sad?"
At first Jack claimed
he wasn't. But after a bit of prodding he admit that yes, he was perhaps a wee bit sad.
Then he explained "You see ...
I just remembered what Hannibal said before - that if Mum and Dad doesn't love each other there will be no Christmas. But
... What if one parents are long dead and you haven't been staying - long enough on one place to be a parent of your own?"
We sat a bit thinking.
Then I ventured out with my theory coughing a bit and clucking "Well - I don't have my parents
either anymore as you know. And is not a parent either - or will ever be - so I see what you mean. ... but I think that -
hm - that if somebody do love you then it will be Christmas after all. You'll not necessarily get presents or such - but you'll
get the feeling that now it is Christmas after all. That there warm golden glow around everything, you know? ... and we do
love you, Jack! Very much so" I ended and got up and kissed the now blushing pirate on both cheeks and hugged him.
"Hear!
Hear!" Johnny laughed.
Then looked over at Hannibal and asked "But if that is true ... And I think it is! Then we doesn't
need the Spirit of Christmas. We just need to love each other"
Hannibal wriggled around a bit on his chair and hawed and
hemmed. But then finally said "No. Maybe we don't need it as such, Johnny. You can as far as I know feel like it is Christmas
every day if people love you and you love them back. But if you want - well, I don't know ... All the magic and all the traditions
of Christmas to stay you do need to get the jewel back at Mrs. Claus'! And even then ... It will take her a while to get everything
'rolling' again, so to speak. If the Boss Man want to stay with his hussey, you see. There might be a couple of years where
people will think it isn't really Christmas this year ..."
That's a more dire threat than Johnny's about dragging Jack here and there, me thinks - so please turn the page
and we'll see if anything cn be done about it!
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