“Let’s just say, things got a bit ugly in the heat of last minute shopping,” Frank said, not really wanting to go into it. 

And because of that, Frank didn’t finish his Christmas shopping and now would have to go out again in the morning.  Something he really did not want to do.

His father had a meeting with a long time family friend, Police Chief Ezra Collig, tomorrow afternoon so Frank had promised he would pick up his Aunt Gertrude up at the airport… and now his morning was shot as well!

Gertrude Hardy was Fenton’s older sister.  Never married, she was a staunch environmentalist and devoted her time to helping out a number of protection agencies. 

However, she did spend most holidays with her brother’s family, and this Christmas was going to be no different.

Tony was dying to find out what happened but knew it was no use.  If Frank didn’t want to talk about it then there was nothing he could do, except pumping Biff or Chet for info later. 

As if sensing Tony’s curiosity, Biff said casually, “Hey Tony do you have your jeep here?”  Although he knew he did….And Tony nodded, wondering what Biff was getting at.

But as Biff continued, he realized, “Well, Chet left his wheels at Callie’s house so Frank has to drop him off back there to get it, but I don’t need to go.  So I thought maybe you could give me a lift on your way home.” 

While Biff was friends to both Frank and Joe, the younger boy was his best friend.  And knowing how disappointed Joe was going to be once Frank told him about his plans, the muscular youth suddenly wasn’t so anxious to spend time with Frank….And he knew Tony was dying for the scoop.

“Sure,” Tony quickly agreed, although technically it was out of his way as Biff lived only a few blocks from the Hardys.

And then he asked Chet, “Why’s your truck at Callie’s?”

“Iola wanted to be dropped off so she and Callie could do some girl stuff.  So Frank picked me up there,” Chet explained, making Frank grin as the older Hardy quipped,

“What can I say, there’s an added bonus in it for me.”

“Ah hormones,” Tony grinned knowingly, making Frank blush again. 

The boys continued chatting for a little while longer until Aldo Prito turned off the lights in the kitchen, and they helped straighten up before leaving.

“Talk to you guys later!”  Biff called out as he followed Tony to his jeep, while Frank and Chet got into Mrs. Hardy’s car.

A few minutes later the two vehicles pulled out onto the slippery road and then went their separate ways.

* * *

“Well?” Tony asked anxiously.  He hated it when the brothers argued.  It was something they didn’t do very often, thankfully, but it still bothered him.  They were both his best friends.  “What happened at the mall?”

Biff sighed and leaned back in the seat. “Well we were just carrying on and stuff, and then the next thing I know…”

“Hey Frank, let’s go get our picture taken with Santa,” Joe said, pulling on his brother’s arm. 

Frank pulled loose and stared indignantly at his 16-year-old brother, “I don’t think so.”

“Why not?”  Joe persisted, his blue eyes bright with excitement.  He loved Christmas.

Frank sighed – did his brother really need everything explained to him?  “What parts of ‘you’re too old for that nonsense’ do you want me to explain?” 

Uh oh, thought Biff as Joe asked sharply, “Nonsense?”  He said the word slowly and deliberately.

Rolling his eyes, Frank quipped, “Yeah nonsense, kiddo.  That’s what this all is.”  Frank spread his arms out indicating the whole mall. “One big money making venture.  And I refuse to put one more penny into it than I have to.  Come on Joe, don’t you think you’re getting too old for all this silliness?”

Joe was furious.  He couldn’t understand why his brother would so carelessly dismiss something that meant so much to him. 

“Guys…” Biff said warningly as he saw the anger flash across his friend’s face, and prepared to physically break them up if need be.

But then, the anger was replaced by something else and Joe just turned and walked away from them.

Stunned, they started to follow him but then Joe stopped, and when he spoke, they were surprised by the sadness in his voice. “You know what the problem is with Christmas, Frank?” 

He didn’t wait for his brother to answer as he continued, “The problem is people like you.  You’re so busy taking yourself seriously that you can’t stand anyone else having fun.  Bah humbug to you!” 

Before Frank could respond, Joe went over and stood in the lineup to get his picture taken with Santa. 

Embarrassed, as his almost 5’10” younger brother stood in the lineup with the children, he turned to his friends and hissed, “Come on.”

And then stopping by Joe he said, “We’re leaving.  So unless you’re planning on walking home, you’d better come with us now.”

Joe looked at his brother and then turned away. “I’m getting my picture taken first.”

“Joe come on – I’m leaving right now.”  Frank was getting angry. 

“I’m getting my picture taken first,” Joe said adamantly. 

“Joe…” Frank said warningly, “Let’s go.”

Brother glared at brother, neither one wanting to back down.

Chet and Biff glanced nervously at each other – they knew how stubborn Joe could be, and this side of Frank was unnerving them.  But before they could interfere Joe shook his head sadly and then left the line and started walking towards the parkade.

“Take me home,” the blond youth said stonily as he climbed into the backseat of the car and let Chet ride up front.  He suddenly didn’t feel like going to Mr. Pizza’s anymore.

Frank was relieved.  It would have been so embarrassing if his teenaged brother had sat on Santa’s lap.  So he dropped his sullen brother off and headed over to meet Tony.