Odi's Christmas.

Odi likes to celebrate Christmas; the hard part is getting George into the Christmas spirit.

"Odi, what are you doing. " George asked in his usual sad voice.

"Hello George, would you like some toast and jam?"

"No thank you Odi, but you haven't answered my question."

"It's almost Christmas George; I'm getting out the decorations."

"Odi I told you before I don't celebrate Christmas anymore."

"But you used to like Christmas George. You, Mary & I would sing carols while we decorated the tree & one year you let me have the honour of placing the angel at the top."

"That was then Odi, now Mary is gone, and I'm an old man."

"I don't think you're old George, and I have a perfect memory of all the good times we had."

"Well I envy you there Odi, but there are some things it's best to forget."

"Shall I delete all those memories George?"

"No Odi, I meant I wish I could forget all the bad times & remember the good. That's the problem with being human."

Odi took the tree out of the box while humming Jingle Bells. "Can you pass me the decorations please George."

"Odi, please stop."

"I'm sorry George, but it's almost Christmas and it's time to decorate the house."

Odi took the holly wreath out of the box and walked to the front door; he opened the door and hung the wreath around the door knocker. "There, that looks nice."

"Okay Odi, you win, but this is the last time we do this okay?"

"Of course George, while you're trimming the tree, I'll get you some toast and jam."

"That would be nice Odi, thank you."

Odi walked out to the kitchen with a smile on his face. He had won another victory over George.

Every Christmas for the last five years Odi and George had had the same conversation, and every time

Odi had won. It was after all, his job to look after George and he did it so well George didn't even notice it.

Odi finished spreading the apricot jam (George's favourite) on the toast, poured a cup of tea from the old battered teapot and hummed jingle bells while he carried the tray into the living room.

"Merry Christmas George."

"Merry Christmas, Odi."