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Philip and the Miserable Christmas
Philip and the Miserable Christmas
Philip and the Miserable Christmas
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Philip and the Miserable Christmas

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Philip’s Christmas turns into a disaster when his troublesome younger cousin Francis shows up to stay for a few days. Nothing is safe, not the Christmas tree, not the presents, and certainly not the good cheer of the season. Philip enlists his best friend Emery to help out in entertaining Francis but even a trip to the local mall to admire the decorations turns into a misadventure of epic proportions. Can anything bring some Christmas joy for Philip? Christmas morning holds the answer.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateDec 10, 2015
ISBN9781619502833
Philip and the Miserable Christmas

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    Philip and the Miserable Christmas - John Paulits

    Contents

    Copyright Page

    Dedication

    Chapter 1

    Chapter 3

    Chapter 6

    Chapter 9

    Chapter 11

    About the Author

    Philip and the Miserable Christmas

    by

    John Paulits

    All rights reserved

    Copyright © December 8, 2015, John Paulits

    Cover Art Copyright © 2015, Charlotte Holley

    Gypsy Shadow Publishing, LLC.

    Lockhart, TX

    www.gypsyshadow.com

    Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination, or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

    No part of this book may be reproduced or shared by any electronic or mechanical means, including but not limited to printing, file sharing, and email, without prior written permission from Gypsy Shadow Publishing, LLC.

    Smashwords Edition, License Notes

    This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

    ISBN: 978-1-61950-283-3

    Published in the United States of America

    First eBook Edition: December 10, 2015

    Dedication

    For: The Mighty Stodko Clan, one and all;

    not forgetting Heather, of course.

    Chapter One

    Philip stared at the Christmas tree standing near the living room window of his house, already lit in the middle of the gloomy day. Red bulbs, green, blue, yellow bulbs reflected off the shiny silver balls his father had hung on the tree. At the top of the tree, a baby blue ball dangled from a branch. His mother had glued and glittered his name and birthdate on the ball and hung it up on his first Christmas and every Christmas afterward. In another four days, on Wednesday, presents would appear under the tree. His mother insisted the presents not show up until after Philip went to bed on Christmas Eve. Philip didn’t mind. The pleasant shock of coming downstairs Christmas morning and seeing what had appeared under the tree overnight never grew old. His mother’s voice caught Philip’s attention. She leaned against the dining room wall, her cell phone pressed to her ear, a grim look on her face.

    "Are you sure there’s nothing else you can do with him, Joanne?"

    Philip knew Joanne was Aunt Joanne, his mother’s cousin. They didn’t see one another very often, but she did give him a present every Christmas. Him could only be Francis, Philip’s seven-year-old cousin. Philip hoped it wasn’t him, but who else could it be? He saw Francis, who was really his second cousin, his father explained once, only a couple times a year, but even one visit from Francis was too much to take; way too much. Second cousins must be twice as much trouble as regular cousins, Philip guessed. Francis was a real… His mother spoke again.

    How long? Until Christmas? His mother’s voice squeaked at the word Christmas.

    I know, I know you’ll bring his presents, but… but… yes, spending Christmas day together would be nice, but…

    Mr. Felton, Philip’s dad, entered the room and stood listening alongside Philip.

    Dad, they’re talking about Francis. Aunt Joanne’s going to dump him here for Christmas!

    Philip’s father waved a hand at him. "Shhh. Let me hear."

    I suppose so, said Mrs. Felton. She looked toward her husband and Philip and rolled her eyes. I understand. No, of course. It’ll be fine. Okay, then, I’ll talk to you later. She ended the call and lowered her phone.

    We have to take care of Francis for a while, she said.

    Mom…

    Honey…

    Mrs. Felton raised her hand. Joanne and Cliff have to go away.

    Over Christmas? Mr. Felton asked.

    A wedding in Idaho. They’ll be back Christmas day to pick him up. Joanne said it was unavoidable. Cliff’s family. Cliff will leave his car at the airport, and they’ll come here as soon as they land, Mrs. Felton explained.

    Philip panicked. We don’t have to wait to open the presents, do we?

    I don’t know. We’ll see. They’re bringing Francis’s presents with them.

    You sure they don’t just want a quiet Christmas morning alone? asked Philip’s father.

    They’re flying across the country on Christmas morning, Philip’s mother said, her eyes narrowing.

    When are they bringing him here? asked Mr. Felton.

    Tomorrow night.

    Mr. Felton frowned. Can’t they leave him with a friend nearer where they live, so he can go to school on Monday?

    He can’t go to school. He’s suspended until the new year.

    Suspended! He’s seven years old. What did he do?

    Joanne wouldn’t tell me.

    Did you ask?

    "Of

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