Christmastime

"Come on dad, it's Christmas Eve!" John exclaimed eagerly.

"But I thought it was Christmas Eve tomorrow? Oh, well I must be wrong. You are way more up to date than me, son." I replied. Afterall, he was the one who taught me how to use my own phone. I suppose being in your 50's makes you quite behind the times. As we got in the familiar red sedan, which was now 11 years old, me in the drivers, seat, him in the passengers seat, we drove to the mall. We had planned this day on the 1st December, and had been waiting for it keenly ever since.

When we arrived, the parking lot was nearly full, so John helped me pick out an empty space.

"Dad! Over there! Next to the blue Toyota!" he shouted.

"Got it," I replied.

When we entered the immense complex, (it was the biggest mall in all of Colorado) the first shop that came to my mind was Hamleys, or ToysRus. Those stores sold loads of toys, didn't they. There must've a 15 year old section. Though, being considerate, I asked him,

"So, where do you wanna go, son?"

"Oh, oh, can we go to the new Apple Store?"

"Why do you want to buy apples from here? We live right next to a farm, and I know you like the fresh apples from Uncle Jerry."

"Dad, Apple is a store that sells phones, and their new phone just came out!"

"All right then," I began, "Lets go there then. I think I have a loose 50 in my wallet!"

"Dad, you must know," he started, slightly bitter, "phones now cost hundreds of dollars, and this one is over a thousand!"

"A THOUSAND!" I screamed, slightly too loud. I looked at John, who was now making his begging face.

"Oh all right then. As long as it's for you John."

"YES!!!" he exclaimed, overjoyed.

We entered the 'Apple Store' and John darted over to some flashy phone.

"Dad! Dad! Come over here!"

I strolled over slowly, looking at all the devastating price tags.

"Fine," I said, my voice slightly shaky. The tag read, 'Iphone X' followed by, '$1399.'

John sprinted over to the till and asked for a boxed one. Once they placed it on the shiny countertop, I took my AMEX out of my wallet.

"Dad wait! Can we get another one?"

"Why?"

"I don't know, maybe you would want one. Plus, mom said she has one, so-"

"since when were you in touch with her?" I asked, grimly, but trying to keep my tone down for my son.

"I always had her phone number, but only a few months ago we started talking more."

Okay, Fine. One more please," I said to the shopkeeper.

It was 8 in the evening now, and as soon as we arrived home, I wrapped John's new phone, and my own. It was vaguely saddening to see John growing out of Christmas, but everyone grows up, I suppose.

The next morning, I woke up roughly at 10am. What a tiring day yesterday was, especially for my bank account balance. Then, I remembered, I rushed downstairs. It was Christmas Day. John would be eagerly yet politely waiting for me by the tree. Though I was surprised when I saw that none of the lights were on, and John wasn't downstairs.

"John! Wake up!" I shouted up the stairs.

No response.

He must have been having a deep sleep, just the same as I was. After waiting a few hours, now it was 1pm. What was he doing. I walked up the stairs and opened his door. His bedsheets were messy and unmade. Shreds of wrapping paper, along with scissors and tape were scattered across the floor. Where was he?

I ran back down to the christmas tree, to find it ridden of all presents except one unwrapped bar of soap. I immediately pulled out my phone from my pocket, my old one, and dialed his numbers, following the instructions he told me to use to get to the phone app.

"JOHN! WHERE ARE YOU!" I screamed, not holding back this time.

"Calm down Ralph," answered a familiar voice.

"Emily, what are you doing with my son."

"We have just finished unwrapping our presents, and are now having Christmas Lunch. Did he not tell you? John has decided to stay with me from now on. And as an arrival gift, he gave me this new phone which I am currently using."

My head shook with frustration.

"Hi, Dad. Sorry I forgot to-"

"No, son, it's fine. That's how it is I see."

With that, I hung up, and sat on the dining room chair, all alone.

@TheDreamer for the challenge