Looking back, I feel like I had a pretty good childhood. Every summer, my folks would take my brother, Jimmy, and me to the Rockies. It took us days to drive there, but we didn’t care. We got to stay in weird old motels along the way, we played car games and we ate in some of the weirdest, most awesome roadside diners this fine country has to offer. It was a grand time.

But like most kids, Jimmy and I lived for Christmas. You could say we looked forward to it as much as Ralphie did the year he wished for that blasted air rifle. I helped Mom make cookies and fudge and date bars and all other kinds of candy and sweets, while Jimmy and Dad decorated the outside of the house.

Then when all that was done, two weeks before Christmas, we’d spend a night venturing out into the cold to get our tree. We all put in our two cents about which one to get, we’d tie it to the top of the SUV and then we’d head home where we’d have a great night decorating the living room and tree. Then, a week later, Mom and Dad would take us to the park downtown to visit Santa, Mom taking photos the whole time.

The year I was 12 was my favorite Christmas. It actually had been a tough year for me at school. A new girl had moved to the neighborhood the previous April. For some reason, despite my many attempts to be her friend, she thought it was better to pick on me and play pranks on me in front of my friends. My mom and dad tried to teach me to always stick up for myself, but this was a tough case because I just never wanted to be mean or hurt anyone’s feelings, even Suzi.

However, it didn’t stop me from writing about what I’d like to see happen to her. My diary had pages upon pages of detailed descriptions of the things I’d like to happen to Suzi. In my fantasies she found herself in a variety of horror movies, the victim of Freddie or Jason or Michael. No, my parents didn’t let me watch those films, but that never stopped my friends and me from watching them during our slumber parties.

By Christmas time, I’d had it. I still didn’t want to be the one to do anything, so I thought I’d ask Santa for a special gift. Up to that point, I’d always gotten whatever I’d asked of Santa. It was a great plan. Ask Santa to take care of Suzi.

That night after we returned from the park, we all sat down to watch our favorite Christmas movie, Just Friends. I always thought that Ryan Reynolds was so sexy. I think Mom did, too. Afterward, Dad, like every year, asked Jimmy and me what we asked for from Santa. Not until a few years later did I learn he did this because he was the one who would get those gifts. I mean, how else would we get our most wanted gift from a man who doesn’t really exist? So I told him. My mom was a little surprised by my answer, but my Dad just looked at me with a stern expression.

“Are you sure that’s what you want, darling?”

“Oh, yes, Daddy. With all my heart,” I said.

He just smiled, gave me a hug and told me not to be disappointed if Santa wasn’t able to get that for me.

Christmas morning finally arrived. Jimmy and I ran into our parents’ room to get them up and we all headed out to the tree to take care of business. Jimmy handed out all the presents, but when the opening had ended, I hadn’t gotten what I really wanted. Dad could see the disappointment in my eyes. He looked at Mom, who smiled.

“What?” I asked, starting to beam. “What are you smiling about?”

Mom reached around the back of the sofa and pulled out one more box. She handed it to me and gave my Dad a peck on the cheek.

“Maybe Santa didn’t forget after all,” she said.

I ripped into the package, pulled out the tissue paper and stopped. I looked up at them both. They just smiled. Santa had indeed come through, and I couldn’t have been happier.

I actually cried tears of joy, for in the box was Suzi’s head, eyeballs pecked out.

Like I said, it was my favorite Christmas.