Down Maple Street, around the corner from the dollar store, was the headquarters of the Everyday Heroes. Unlike most hero teams, they didn’t work out of a huge mansion, a grand high-rise tower, or cement bunker. Instead, they remolded a modestly sized suburban home. It wasn’t much, but it worked with their image. They weren’t in the business to stop wars or topple giant monsters; they were out to help the little guy. They stopped purse-snatchers and rescued cats from trees. And today was their first annual Christmas party.
“Behold, Spectacular Santa!” Spectacular Man burst into the main room. His usual red and white full-body costume was unchanged. His oversized cape still billowed in the wind, his spandex still stuck to him like glue, but this time he had a dollar store Santa beard taped to his chin and a sack of presents over his shoulder.
“Careful there, boss, you don’t want to knock something else over,” Spectacular Boy followed, in a miniature version of Spectacular Man’s costume. While he was called a boy, the sidekick was firmly in his teen years and would be turning 17 at the beginning of the following year. He had carried in a case of soda and water.
“My boy, where are the elf ears I bought you?” Spectacular Man inquired.
“Boss, can’t that wait until after the party starts?” Spectacular Boy sighed.
“But it completes the Santa look,” Spectacular Man muttered but dropped the subject.
“Give the kid a break,” Mister Atomic floated down from the second-floor loft, a stack of plastic bowls in each hand. The nuclear hero’s military-themed costume complemented his chisel jaw and quaffed blonde hair. “I doubt he’s looking forward to spending his Christmas with a bunch of old men drinking.”
“Heroes do not drink! Especially not on Christmas in front of impressionable young minds!” Spectacular Man declared.
“Darn, what am I supposed to do with all this?” Amphibious Man emerged from the basement with several cases of beer. His professional swimmer-themed costume was marred by some dust and cobwebs picked up from his trip downstairs.
“Save it for our civilian guests!” Spectacular Man replied with a dramatic point to the sky.
“I wonder if anyone will actually show up?” Unseen Man appeared in the middle of the room. His dark blue stealth suit was decorated with a few Christmas tassels. Apparently, he had been cloaked there this entire time. “I spread the flyers like you asked, but it’s almost showtime, and nobody but us is here.”
“Have a little faith,” Bombastic Man emerged from the kitchen, with a bowl of chili in one hand and a plate of fried chicken in the other. His bomb squad-themed costume was adorned with a “Hero in the Streets, King of the Kitchen” apron. “Oh, did anyone remember to bring a cake?”
“Sorry, I was going to swing by the bakery this morning,” Mister Atomic explained as he filled some of his plastic bowls with chips and pretzels. “But, I had to stop a runaway car from hitting the playground. Then I had to take the driver to the hospital, so I asked Unseen Man to do it while he was hanging up flyers.” All eyes went to the stealth hero.
“Hey, I had every intention of going,” Unseen Man held up his hand, “but the good cheer also attracts a few shady characters. I had to stop at least three wallet and purse thieves today, and it just slipped my mind.”
“Well, I was going by Ol’ Betty’s for some pastries,” Amphibious Man revealed, “but when I got there, she and her cat had slipped and fallen into the lake across the street. I had to fish them out and care for them until the ambulance arrived. Not really the time to ask for a cake, you think?”
“Oh well,” Bombastic Man shrugged, “we’ll think of something-.” He was interrupted by a knock at the door. Spectacular Man spun on his heel and yanked open the door. On the other side, it looked like their entire town had gathered in front of their building. Dozens of men, women, and children, from the local part-timer workers to the staff of the mayor’s office. Gathered around were families of four and young adults on their own, construction workers and gardeners, scholars and athletes. In their arms were presents, cooked turkeys, hams, and cakes of all sizes.
“Well, I guess that answers my question,” Unseen Man commented as the Everyday Heroes welcomed the town into their building. As Christmas tends to be, it was a long and festive night, one the heroes remembered for years to come. That’s why it was their first annual Christmas party and tradition that would last for many years to come.
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They say no good deed goes unpunished, but that doesn't mean every good deed goes unrewarded.
It's both a little late and a little early but, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and a Happy Holidays, etc.
Until next time, Read, Comment and Enjoy
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