Holiday Hero

… Nadia Creed. That’s me. The girl who lives in a town who is obsessed with one single holiday, Christmas. I don’t know why my town is obsessed with the holiday, all I know is that I grew up surrounded by Christmas lights and the smell of every day gingerbread cookies. My town is somewhat secluded, but not very hard to miss, some tourists come to celebrate with families for our annual Christmas Parade Festival we host every single year. The thing is only the very best thing that happens every single year. Once I graduated high school I moved away to the big New York City for work, I haven’t been to the town in over 5 years, it’s kinda a big deal with my parents, who tugged on my arm to come back to visit, which I did. I arrive to the town to see the place more quiet than I remembered, the air smelled more fresh and the streets were filled with people, but the place looked less lively than my childhood, the everyday lights were replaced with modern street lights and the smell of the gingerbread cookies were replaced with modern cake smells. Once I arrive to my childhood home I knock on the familiar door and saw my slightly aged dad open it with the huge smile I missed. Dad: NADIA HONEY! I knew you’d come! Darling your daughter is home! I walked in with my suitcase and saw my mom with her apron on and a big smiled as she rushed over and hugged me. Mom: Oh honey we missed you! Nadia: I missed you too mom. The town seems more quiet than I remembered, someone died? With that question my parents exchanged a look of uncertainty as my dad sighed and patted my shoulder. Dad: Once you get situated we’ll explain to you what’s going on. I looked at him as he joined my mom in the kitchen as I slowly walked upstairs to my childhood room, opening the door to see nothing change. All my favorite band posters still the same, my desk still neatly organized with my favorite pencils to use, it’s like I never even left. I get comfortable and change into lounging clothes as I walked back downstairs to see my parents on the couch whispering to each other and pause when they see me approaching. Mom: Nadia honey, I’m glad you made it all this way. Dad: We got something to talk to you about, you may not like it. I sit on the couch across from them as I cross my arms and legs. They share a soft look before my dad speaks up. Dad: Nadia, we’ve decided to sell the house, it’s too old and we found another place that suits us better. My eyes bulge out my face as I stood up quickly. Nadia: WHAT!? Mom: Nadia, please understand. A guy wants to buy the house for a reasonable price and we couldn’t pass up the opportunity. He wants this house to remodel it for a vacation home and, the price isn’t something anyone here could pass up. I pace around the with my hand on my head as I process the information they threw at me like a fireball. Nadia: When are you guys selling it? Mom: After New Year’s Eve. This is our last few weeks here at this town. Nadia: So this is our last couple weeks at this town and out last Christmas Parade Festival? My parents exchange another sad glance as my dad stood up. Dad: Nadia, the Parade was canceled this year. Nadia: WHAT!?