Joseph Stephens and the best Christmas ever part 2

It was the night of Christmas Eve and in four short hours it would be midnight, meaning Christmas. Joseph Stephens and Jaye Williams were both still seeing autumn colors instead of normal leafless trees and on top of that it had not snowed and it didn’t look like it would snow any time soon. “We need some snow and a way to stop seeing autumn, at least for a day” Joseph said. They both loved autumn but Christmas wouldn’t be the same without snow and proper Christmas colors. “Hey Winter! Ya big jerk, get down here!” Jaye yelled. Joseph’s eyes widened and he shook his head frantically at Jaye.

            A freezing cold wind blew through the town and Old man winter stood before the two friends. Winter was an older looking man with whitish blue skin, a great white beard, he was thin and was the height of an average human male. From the moment he appeared Winter had his teeth clenched and was glaring at Jaye. “Hello winter, my friend was just trying to get your attention. You see he actually wanted to apologize.” Said Joseph. “I did?” Asked Jaye. Then he added “Oh, right! Yes I did. Look winter, I am sorry for bashing your head with a hammer. It was Joseph’s fault for leaving the hammer out anyway. I am still sorry for whacking you with it” Jaye said. Winter’s face relaxed a little but he still looked annoyed. “apology accepted” Winter muttered angrily.

            “So does this mean you will make it snow for Christmas day?” Asked Joseph. “And also help cure us and let us see winter scenery again? We drank some autumn magic creamer and it makes us only see autumn stuff” Added Jaye. Old man Winter winced as the two friends spoke. It was as if their voices caused him actual physical pain. “No, and no. I accept your apology but I still hate both of you, so no snow on Christmas. Also autumn magic is too different from winter magic for me to help you, even if I wanted to, which I don’t. The creamer should be out of your system by Christmas morning” Winter explained.

            “Do different seasons really have such diverse magic?” Asked Jaye. “Yeah, every season has their own type of magic, which is why we can hurt each other” Winter replied. “Look I gotta go, your faces and voices are annoying me and I gotta get something to drink. This was a bad year to quit drinking” Winter added. Then Jaye got an idea. “Wait! Joseph has some private stock rum in his kitchen, if you make it snow for tonight and all through Christmas then we will give you the rum” Jaye offered. Winter seemed intrigued but looked at Joseph to see if this was true. Joseph sighed and then nodded. He didn’t want to give up his finest rum but if it meant snow on Christmas then he would do it. The lack of snow on Christmas didn’t just effect Joseph’s house, it affected the whole town. One bottle of rum was a fair trade for a wintry Christmas for the whole town.

            Jaye ran off like an excited puppy, leaving Joseph and Winter standing in the front yard alone. “So how’s your head feeling?” Joseph asked, trying to sound concerned. Winter just growled. Jaye was gone for three minutes exactly, but those minutes felt like an eternity as Winter and Joseph stood in uncomfortable silence. Jaye returned with a glass bottle of eggnog. “I forgot that I mixed all of his rum into this eggnog earlier today. Its still pretty strong. Is that ok?” Jaye asked. “So Strong!” Added Joseph. Winter looked annoyed but accepted. “yeah that’s ok. Eggnog is pretty festive” Winter took a swig from the bottle the moment Jaye put it in his hands.

            Winter drank down several gulps. Winter drank from the bottle like it was life saving medicine. Winter lowered the bottle from his mouth and sighed happily. then a weird look crossed his face. “What was in that eggnog? I feel sick” Winter said as he started to tremble on his feet. Winter lurched over and began throwing up icy slush mixed with eggnog. “That was eggnog laced with magic pumpkin creamer! Ha Autumn Magic!” Jaye yelled then kicked Winter in the face. Winter stumbled backward “you! I will…” Winter started to say as his rage overflowed. Jaye interrupted him with another kick. “how does Betrayal taste, jerk?” Jaye shouted. Joseph Stephens was nervous that this wouldn’t end well. but then again Winter was a jerk and he wasn’t going to bring snow to Christmas anyway. Joseph Stephens picked up a shovel and whacked Winter with it “Betrayal x2!” Joseph shouted. Jaye then pulled a claw hammer from his back pocket. “Cllaaaaww Hammah!!” Jaye shouted into the air and then hit winter again. As the two friends beat on Winter the thought came to Joseph. “If Winter wasn’t an immortal and magical being this would be incredibly illegal and messed up.

            The two friends pummeled Winter until finally Winter used his weakened magic to make icy winds blow the two men backward. “Fine! I will return the snow! But I warn you, I am not one to mess wi…” Winter warned but was interrupted when Jaye shouted “Claaaw Haaammmar!” And then threw his claw hammer at winter, striking the Wintery deity in the face. Winter let out a loud roar that sounded like hurricane winds blowing through a town. Then Winter vanished in a buff of snow and ice. “Yeah! And tell Santa Clause that I still have a score to settle with him!” Jaye shouted.

            True to his spiteful words, Winter made it snow. Snow began to fall gently over the town. The two friends still saw autumn trees, pumpkins and fall decorations, but now there was snow over everything. It was a weird and magical sight. Joseph Stephens and Jaye Williams went inside and decided to rest. They hoped that in the morning they would see Christmas the way it was meant to be seen. Jaye slept on the couch, wrapped in various towels, old blankets and couch pillows, Joseph slept in his bed.

            That morning the two woke up and ran to the window. The landscape was beautiful. Icy white snow sat undisturbed across the land, pine trees were decorated with Christmas lights and the fall colors had disappeared. Red, green, white and blue colors dotted the landscape and both friends agreed that this was the one day of the year it was nice to not see fall colors.

            The day moved on, Joseph and Jaye had breakfast then went to their families houses, exchanged gifts, saw old friends and had hot chocolate. Jaye had an unpleasant surprise when he found that the bad luck fish was sitting in a fish bowl in his parent’s living room. The bad luck fish was a talking fish that brought misfortune to all as long as they were around him. Jaye kept his visit short and on his way out from his families house he threw the bad luck fish and his fish bowl out in the river. Jaye then slipped on ice and busted his lip.

            Joseph ran into a yeti named Horrus and met Horrus’ children, all twenty-seven of them. Joseph saw his family, had dinner, played in the snow, and was thrown into a snow bank by one of Horrus’ children. Good times were had by all.

            Joseph returned home tired but happy. As he approached his house he saw Jaye walking toward him over the horizon. Jaye looked injured, tired and happy. The two friends went into the house. Joseph lit a fire in his fireplace. Jaye made some eggnog with what eggnog they had remaining. “Can I use that private stock rum of yours?” Jaye called from the Kitchen. “Yes! That would be great. No pumpkin creamer in mine please” Joseph called back. The two began to laugh.

            The two friends sat in front of a crackling fire and sipped on their very alcoholic eggnog. “So strong!” Joseph said as he took a sip. Jaye laughed “well we had more rum than we had eggnog” He replied. “Nah, its ok. I like it.” Joseph said. Jaye smiled as if remembering something “Did I ever tell you the time I was in college and we were all about to leave for the holiday break. I went to the cafeteria to get some food on the last day and the lady serving the food goes ‘I can’t wait to get home and get some bourbon and eggnog’. I didn’t even know her or say anything, she just said it out loud” Jaye said. “Weird” Joseph replied. “Yeah, it was” Jaye said. The two friends sighed.

            That year might not have been perfect and Christmas eve and Christmas day wasn’t perfect, but despite the ups and downs of the season, Joseph Stephens and Jaye Williams thought it was certainly the best Christmas Ever.

Joseph Stephens and the best Christmas Ever part 1

            It was the eve before Christmas and it had been raining all day, the air outside was chilly and the skies were all gray. Joseph Stephens was in his kitchen with cookies to bake and it had not snowed all day, not even a flake.

            Joseph Stephens’ house was lined with Christmas lights that sparkled and shined brightly out against the gray skies and dim light of day. The smell of pine trees and cookies added a comforting aroma to the air. Joseph and Jaye had been listening to Christmas music, relaxing, finishing up last minute gift-wrapping and cookie baking. Joseph noted that when Jaye was visiting he would run out of cookies ten times as quickly.

Joseph and Jaye sat on the floor next to the Christmas tree as they placed the last of their gifts under the tree “hey, so I was wondering…” Joseph started to say as he turned to his friend. Jaye was noticeably eating another cookie. Joseph wasn’t sure where that cookie even came from because the cookies they baked were in the kitchen and neither of them stood up in the last half hour. “Yeah?” Jaye asked with his mouth full of cookies. The pointed end of a star shaped cookie was sticking out of his mouth. Joseph chose to ignore that. “So, yeah I was just wondering if you heard from Old Man winter since you bashed him over the head last month” Joseph asked. Jaye slowed his chewing but didn’t stop. He had a thoughtful expression as he tried to remember. “Yeah, I think I remember him saying something about no snow for Christmas because he was annoyed with me” Jaye said. Joseph sighed. “Maybe I can talk to Old Man Winter tonight and see if he will make it snow for tomorrow. By the way do we have any more of those cookies left?” Joseph said. Just as Joseph asked, Jaye was in the middle of taking a cookie out of his pocket and was about to eat it. Joseph looked at him, then at the cookie. Jaye slowly moved the cookie to his mouth and then ate the whole thing in one bite. “No, we just ran out of cookies” Jaye said with a mouthful.

            Joseph stood up and went into the kitchen to get a snack. “If I cant have cookies maybe I will have some coffee or hot chocolate” Joseph called back as he rummaged through his cupboards. “Ooh! Whatever you make, make some for me too!” Jaye called into the Kitchen. After searching through the cupboards Joseph checked the refrigerator. When he opened the door to the fridge he spotted a pumpkin creamer left over from Autumn. “hey I found some pumpkin creamer, I think Patches left it here. Pumpkin is kind of a winter thing too right?” Joseph called into the living room. “yeah, Totes! Brew up some coffee and lets take a trip to flavor town” Jaye called back.

            Joseph started his coffee machine and looked at the bottle of pumpkin flavored creamer as he waited. He remembered trying it in the Fall and he remembered how fresh it tasted. It tasted like it was made with real cream, sugar, spices and fresh pumpkin. Only Patches would bring something like that with him. soon the coffee had finished brewing and Joseph poured two cups of coffee, both with pumpkin creamer.

            Joseph walked into the living room with two cups. He saw Jaye holding a cookie out, offering it to Joseph. “I just found this in the side pocket of my hoodie, do you want it?” Jaye said. Jaye was wearing a green hoodie and often kept food stored away in its large pockets. “it was in a plastic baggie, so don’t worry” Jaye added with a laugh.

            Joseph sat down and took the cookie “thanks man”. Joseph took a bite of his cookie and then washed it down with a swig of pumpkin coffee. As soon as the flavor hit his tongue his eyes lit up. The creamer tasted even better than he remembered. Joseph and Jaye both looked at each other and nodded with big smiles on their faces. “This stuff is magical!” Jaye said. “yeah man its so good!” replied Joseph.

Joseph looked at his tree and smiled, the lights sparkled so brightly with Orange, yellow and red lights. “Wait…didn’t we use Christmas lights?” Asked Joseph. “And weren’t the trees bare?” Asked Jaye. Joseph looked outside and saw that all of the trees that lost their leaves had returned but with their fall colors. Christmas lights and decorations still covered houses, trees and street lamps but everything had an autumn look and feel to it. “Its like an Autumn Christmas” Jaye said as he ran outside. “Maybe that creamer really was magical” Joseph said as he followed his friend outside.

            Outside the air smelled of woodsmoke, the ground was damp with fallen leaves and rain. the light rain sprinkled down on their heads. The trees were in full autumn colors, the lights were white, yellow, orange and red. The creamer made the two friends see autumn everywhere they went and they would see autumn colors until the magical effects wore off. “This is the best!” Jaye cheered. “this is great but I hope Christmas day looks like Christmas day. “Don’t worry! Winter will probably help us with that. I mean he cant stay mad forever right?” Jaye said with a laugh.

The Duel on Wolf Peak

            The winter festival was fast approaching, it was a time to celebrate and eat one last big meal before the harshness of deep winter set in. All throughout the land people would hang colorful lanterns, cook delicious roasts with herbs and eat the last fresh vegetables of the year. The approaching months would be a time to preserve and conserve on food and resources so the winter festival was seen as a bright, colorful and loud firework in the sky before the dead of night set in. To the people living in the town of Wolf Peak it was one of the biggest holidays of the year. Wolf Peak was located in the White Mountains and the White Mountains had the harshest winds and coldest winters in all of the land. By the middle of winter Wolf Peak would be completely trapped by snow and deadly winds. The towns in the low lands could leave their house and even travel in an emergency if they had to. The people of Wolf Peak were confined to the town, cut off from the rest of the world for three months.

            During the Winter Festival people would prepare for the long winter ahead or just leave town and head for the lowlands, where the winters were shorter and less severe. The only saving grace that Wolf Peak had was the shelter of the Respite caves. Long tunnels and man made caves that bore deep into the mountain were known as the Respite caves, the town of Wolf Peak was built inside of the caves. Villagers wouldn’t be snowed into their houses but they were completely trapped inside of the mountain. The villagers who lived in Wolf Peak all year had a close bond with each other. After a year of relying on your neighbor you start to see your neighbor as a brother or sister.

            Soft music echoed out from the town and warm lights could be see shining in the Respite caves. People were celebrating, preparing for the night of the Winter Festival and preparing for the long winter afterward. While most celebrated there were those who had other matters that needed their attention. In such a peaceful and joyous time there were those who insisted on fighting.

Clashing swords rang out through the mountains, two men stood facing each other in a duel to the death. The bitter cold winds of the White Mountain Pass blew through the combatants but they both stood unmoving. One fighter was wearing all black armor, a black helmet that was rounded at the top and came to a point in the front, a long red scarf wrapped tightly around the neck, carried a long sword and shield and had a battle axe on his back. The first fighter was known as the Vanguard and had more than a few legends.

            The second fighter was known as Sir Gregory Andrews, a former knight who apposed his king and was thrown out of the castle and stripped of his honor and title. Sir Andrews was more recently known as Gregory the knight mercenary. Sir Gregory Andrews had medium length messy brown hair. A trimmed goatee that was starting to grow out and looked like it hadn’t been maintained in a few weeks. He wore silver armor that he owned from his days as a knight, the armor used to shine brightly like a star but it hadn’t been cleaned or polished in a while. Gregory used to have a helmet but the King had taken it away because it had the Kingdom seal on it. Even though his kingdom branded him a traitor he still tried to be noble in everything he did but also needed to eat and many of Sir Andrews’ deeds had not been noble as of late. Gregory knew the Vanguard was wanted by the king and figured if he captured the black armored villain then his good name would be restored and the King might even forgive him for all that treason stuff.

            Few people knew why the Vanguard was a wanted criminal and even less knew who the Vanguard even was. Sir Andrews didn’t care though, he needed to return to his noble statues and was running out of ways to get back on the King’s good side. Gregory charged at the Vanguard with his two handed sword, Gregory’s dirt covered silver armor clanked against the stone with every step.  The Vanguard did not react to Gregory’s sudden charge, the dark night just stood like a statue, firm and unwavering. Sir Andrews swung his sword, swinging it downward with all of his strength. The Vanguard moved with unnatural speed moments before the sword struck his armor. The Vanguard moved out of the way and in one motion slammed his shield into Gregory’s chest. The blow from the shield struck with such force that it knocked Gregory off of his feet and sent him backward into the snow.

            Gregory struggled to get to his feet as he clutched his chest and tried to breath again. The strike was so strong that Sir Andrews was lucky he didn’t have internal bleeding. “Why do you wish to fight me?” Asked the Vanguard, his voice echoed through his helmet and sounded almost inhuman. “I need to bring your head to my King. You are a villain with a price on your head” Gregory said as he held his sword up again. “I am wanted in many kingdoms, but I am not a villain. I do not want to kill you, but I will defend myself. If your honor commands you to slay me then you risk your life in trying to do so” The Vanguard said as he sheathed his sword, tied his shield to his back and pulled his two handed axe from its holster on his back.

            Sir Andrews held his sword tightly, he didn’t want to keep fighting, he felt out matched by this nightmare of a knight, but he couldn’t live another day as a mercenary. “If I kill you my honor will be restored, I cannot live without my honor. I won’t live another day as a dog” Said Andrews as he charged again. He swung his sword downward like before and the Vanguard crouched down to start a counter attack, knowing that the Vanguard would counter Gregory didn’t put all of his weight into his sword like last time and instead brought his knee up as his sword came down. The Vanguard tried to react but was kneed in the head. Gregory was able to bring his sword down on the now dazed Vanguard. The sacrifice was that his sword slash was not as powerful as it normally would have been.

            The Vanguard tumbled backward into the snow with a fresh slash in his armor. “Your supposed ‘honor’ binds you to your king like a dog. The kingdoms hate me because I am truly free. I have honor, I spare the weak and I do not resort to cheap tricks, but I am hated because I do not let others use my honor to chain me down” The Vanguard said, his words rang out, echoing with each word. The words stung Sir Andrews as he thought back to the things he did to survive all the while hoping to regain the King’s favor and his precious honor. “Enough talk, I will finish you here and now!” Gregory said as he stabbed his sword down on the Vanguard who was starting to stand back up.

            The Vanguard couldn’t react fast enough and the sword plunged through the shoulder joint in the armor were there was little protection. The Vanguard’s armor had weak spots and joints in it for increased mobility. The weakness in the Vanguard’s armor had been exploited and blood dripped from the shoulder joint and down the Vanguard’s hand as his blood spilled out through his armor. “So you are a man after all. So many stories were told of you being a demon or a specter that haunted a suit of armor” Said Sir Gregory with triumph.

            The Vanguard’s armor began to glow and pulsing red light vibrated from the black metal plates. Gregory stepped back as the Vanguard stood up. “I am none of those things. What I am, is your death” Said the Vanguard, his voice echoing from his helmet in a rage. Icy wind blew over the two combatants and the snow began to blow in from the north. The winter storms were growing more intense and if the battle lasted much longer both the Vanguard and Gregory would freeze to death.

            The Vanguard took off his helmet and threw it into the snow. Gregory Andrews was take back by what he saw. The Vanguard lifted his axe with one hand as his other arm lay limp. Before Gregory could react the Vanguard had moved forward four feet in a blink and was mid attack. Gregory only blinked once and then saw the Vanguard raising his axe into the air and then down onto Sir Gregory’s shoulder. The axe slashed through Sir Andrews’ armor and cut a chunk into his shoulder, upper torso and ribcage. Sir Gregory Andrews coughed up blood and stared at the Vanguard with a hazy vision.

            A woman with jet black hair, burning red eyes and skin as white as the snow stared at Gregory with intense hatred. “You lived like a dog, chained to your master. Now this is where you die, cold, alone and forgotten” Said the Vanguard, her gaze harsher than the winter winds of the White Mountain. The Vanguard picked up her helmet, placed it back onto her head and walked off, blood dripping from her arm and leaving a trail behind her. Soon she disappeared into the wind and snow of the mountain and Sir Gregory was left alone. Blood poured from his wounds and he began to lose consciousness. Faint music was heard from the town of Wolf Peak and Gregory smiled. The Winter Festival was starting and Gregory wondered were he would be right now if he hadn’t chased after the King’s favor like mad dog.

            Gregory closed his eyes, music played softly like a lullaby and then soon faded. The sound of the wind disappeared and the cold could no longer be felt.  The Winter Festival was fast approaching and everyone was busy celebrating.

White Mountain Pass

            The icy wind blew through the White Mountain pass. The rushing air was so cold that it cut through layers of clothing, skin, and muscle tissue and chilled every living thing to the bone. The wind might as well have been a grim specter of death the way it froze a man to his core and howled as it blew by. Unseen, bitter, sharp, cold and howling as it passes, the wind of the White Mountains was no mere wind. A windy day in the lowlands would cause villagers to put on a hat and maybe tie up their coats, but a windy day in the White Mountains could be fatal.

            Due to the White Mountains reputation of being dangerous, steep and a tad windy many assumed that no one lived in the mountains, but in fact a whole village was safely tucked away in the mountains. Since the freezing cold air of the night and the harsh winds of winter were enough to knock down most houses only the strongest castles or fortresses would be able to withstand the weather of the White Mountains. The town was not sheltered within a Fortress, it was literally in the White Mountains.

            Ages ago tunnels were dug deep in the mountains as a temporary shelter for those who crossed through the White Mountain Pass. The tunnels were dug deeper and deeper and eventually many of tunnels and passageways met. Merchants and travelers would occasionally be stranded in the tunnels by a long lasting blizzard. The travelers would have to learn to survive for days, weeks or even months in the tunnels by rationing what they had and sharing among others. When the storms died down most travelers would leave but many did not. A few crafty merchants realized that travel was not slowing down through the mountains and every year someone would get trapped in the tunnels because of a sudden storm or poor planning. So the merchants set up shop in the tunnels and continued to expand the tunnels even further.

            The White Mountains were safe to travel during specific windows of time. As long as it was daytime, there wasn’t a storm on the horizon and it wasn’t winter, the path through the mountains was relatively safe. Merchants would use these windows of safety to gather supplies and hire workers. Only the bravest, greediest and toughest people would venture into the mountains to build a outpost in the tunnels. It took a fair amount of traveling experience and bravery just to cross through the pass, but these merchants wanted to live there permanently.

            Time passed and the tunnels used by travelers for safety became an outpost of merchants and basic lodging. The outpost grew as traveling merchants saw a market for the aiding their fellow man while making money at the same time and this point had laid out all the groundwork. The tunnels soon became known as Respite tunnels and the outpost went from being Respite Outpost to Wolf Peak village. The tunnels bore deep into the part of the mountain known as Wolf Peak and it made the locals feel more rugged living in a village with a cool name.

            Time passed on, winter came and went, the town slowly grew and as the town grew so did its popularity. The town was unique for being both the only town in the White Mountains but also was the only town build underground and within tunnels. Having Respite tunnels and Wolf Peak Village located on the path through the mountains made the mountains a safer place to travel. Travelers didn’t have to worry about getting snowed in and stuck in the mountains without food because Wolf peak always had enough food to last through the winter. Making the trail safer increased traffic, increased traffic made an increase in trouble.

            The White Mountain pass has seen its fair share of stories both before and after the village of Wolf Peak was built and during these cold winter months we will look at some of the stories that transpired on these icy peaks.

Joseph Stephens and the trouble with Winter

            Joseph Stephens sat in his car as snow gently fell to the ground. The car was running and Christmas music was playing on the radio. Joseph was waiting in a parking lot alone, just him and a bag of fast food. Joseph peeled back the paper on a large burger and took a bite.  The taste sensation that filled his mouth was extraordinary, the savory flavor of meat and cheese mixed with the sweet flavors of ketchup and pickle. After one bite Joseph knew he was a changed man. He took another bite, then another, each bite as wonderful as the last. Joseph looked through his frosted driver side window and saw Jaye Williams walking toward the car. Joseph was waiting for Jaye and wanted to get out of the car and greet his friend but the burger called to him. Joseph took another bite. It was impossible to resist. The burger was so good that Joseph felt compelled to eat it, the same way someone wouldn’t be able to stop kissing someone they loved. The two lovebirds knew they would have to depart but every kiss felt like fireworks and ‘just one more kiss’ was never enough.

            Jaye knocked on Joseph’s window and Joseph turned to see his friend and then waved. Joseph unlocked the passenger door and Jaye climbed into the car. Joseph had ketchup on his face, empty burger wrappers in his car and a feeling of shame in his soul. “So what is up my homie?” Jaye said, making sure to enunciate each word. Joseph started the car. “Not much man, just waiting for you” Joseph said hoping that Jaye wouldn’t ask him about his burger experience. “Sorry it took so long, you’d be surprised how many weird looks I got when I asked for Christmas clothes for my hamster. At least I was able to find the decoration we needed” Jaye replied. Joseph and Jaye almost never spent the holidays together but due to a strange stroke of luck they had been able to spend both thanksgiving and now Christmas together. “Sweet Turduckin Christmas this is gonna be the best Christmas ever!” Joseph said as he backed out of his parking spot and drove off.

            Jaye was staying with Joseph for the holidays and they both decided to go all out and decorate like madmen with a mission. As soon as they arrived at Joseph’s house they set to work hanging Christmas lights and making eggnog, which is the second best nogg just behind Pumpkin nogg. While Joseph was trying to balance on the later Jaye did his best to steady the ladder, that was until Jaye got bored and they began banging the ladder with a hammer because it sounded funny. “H-hey, how about some eggnog. You should go make some” Joseph called down. “You sure you don’t need help out here?” Jaye said sincerely. “yeah, I am fine. You go on and start the nogg a’brewin’ “ Joseph replied as he did his best not to fall off ladder.

            Jaye went inside to make Eggnogg. As Joseph was working on string up lights a hard wind blew and shook the ladder. Joseph clung to the roof as the ladder shook under the force of the wind and was eventually swept away. Joseph fell but grabbed onto the rain gutters just in time. The rain gutters cracked and Joseph lost his grip and fell two floors to the ground. Just before impact a winter wind grabbed Joseph and gently set him down. Before Joseph could say “what was that” a well-groomed blue and white skinned gentleman appeared out of nowhere. He wore a large coat, had a white beard, blue and white skin, black eyes, dark blue winter boots and a stylish winter hat. “Old man winter?” Joseph said sounding skeptical. “That’s right my boy! Winter is here for another wonderful season!” Winter cheered then put his arm up in the air to emphasize excitement. “What happened to you? Usually you are cranky and have anger problems also you drink in excess and chase off Autumn. Autumn actually left town a little early just so he wouldn’t have to fight with you like that one time you and he fought so hard half of the city almost was destroyed” Joseph told Winter. Winter let out an old man chuckle as he remembered the good times. “Oh ho ho, yes indeed I remember that. I am pleased to say I have given up booze and have been working on my temper. I am a new winter” Winter said with a smile.

            As Joseph was talking to Winter Jaye came rushing out of the house. “Old man winter! I am tired of your shenanigans!! Feel my wrath!” Jaye shouted and then swung a sledgehammer down and smashed Winter over the head with it. At that very moment Jaye remembered that Winter was immortal and probably wouldn’t be knocked out even by a sledgehammer, the searing pain made Winter instantly enraged and Joseph wondered how Jaye was able to get into the tool shed and find his sledgehammer.

            Winter screamed in pain and then took a deep breath in and blew out as hard as he could. The full force of winter winds was aimed at Jaye and Jaye was thrown backward. He sailed through the air half frozen and immediately regretting his decision. Joseph jumped in front of Winter “Its ok Winter, remember your progress? Ok? Also remember you weren’t always the nicest guy and Jaye didn’t know you were working on being a better person” Joseph said. Winter started to calm down but was still angry “Yes, you are right. I will leave though, I can’t risk being set off again by your friend” Winter said as he barely contained his rage. A cold wind blew over the area and Old man Winter was gone. After he disappeared snow began to fall from the sky, but only over Joseph’s house.

            Joseph looked over at Jaye who was upside down, half frozen and stuck in a tree. Jaye smiled and gave a thumps up. Joseph nodded and then sighed. Joseph helped Jaye out of the tree and into the house. The two friends then made some hot chocolate and sat in front of the fireplace to get warm. The fire crackled and the two friends sat in silence.

            Jaye finally spoke up. “Ever think…” Jaye was about to say but then Joseph interrupted. “…How hard it is to balance life, work and relationships? How after a while you see time, emotional energy and physical energy as commodities or currency like money, something to save up, spend and budget? How, no matter how much you yearn for the past you can never recapture it? Yeah I feel like that too” Joseph said all in one breath. He replied in day dreaming voice as if he was just airing out his thoughts and not actually talking to Jaye. “Uhh..What?” Jaye said finally. “what?’ Joseph said as he snapped back into reality. They both stared at each other with quizzical expressions. “What was that thing you just said?” Asked Jaye. “Oh, sorry, I was thinking about a hamburger I had today” Joseph replied.

            The two friends sat in silence for a while. Then Jaye looked outside to see it was still snowing “Want to build a snow fort?” Jaye asked. “yes, I really do” Replied Joseph. The two friends always preferred Autumn and missed it dearly but winter had its own good side and despite all of the trouble with Winter, Joseph Stephens and Jaye Williams were determined to have a great holiday season together.