Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone! I did another collab with Artists & Authors United. This special is going to be a little different. I'm going to tell you a story as old as time.

Long ago, there lived two brothers, Ryan and Adam. It was only them and their mother, as their father died earlier that year. It was the first Christmas without him.

As their mother worked two jobs to support her two boys, Ryan acted more like a parent than an elder brother. He ensured Adam was cared for, fed, and washed as their mother slept. Ryan wasn't worried that his childhood was gone. All he cared about was that his brother was safe and loved.

The family up north called Adam a monster, a cursed child. Misfortune seemed to follow him no matter how far he ran. Ryan and their parents never believed Adam caused the miseries in their lives until their father died. His mother never looked at Adam the same way. Her caring eyes were now dull and lifeless. How could she think this small redhead boy could cause any harm?

It could be the grief of caring for two young boys alone without a man. A woman working was unheard of during this time, let alone a widow with children. Ryan was old enough to get a job in a factory with Adam if he wanted to, but he would not let his eight-year-old brother follow him. He heard horror stories about what people do to young workers, especially to children like themselves. 

Instead, Ryan got a job at a small shop down the road. The elderly couple was lovely enough to allow both boys to work. It wasn't much pay, but it was enough to get food in their stomach.

And enough to surprise Adam with a gift.

It was a box of crayons. Ryan had a few nickels to spare. His mother wouldn't mind as long as he bought food.

He handed his brother the gift, "Merry Christmas."

Adam hesitantly took the box, "Merry C-Christmas... I didn't get you anything."

"It's fine. Do you want to play in the snow?"

Adam nodded, placing the crayons on the floor and running outside with his brother. As the snow fell, the boys played for hours, acting like children for the first time in months.

Good story, yes? Anyways you probably won't hear about Adam and Ryan again. So here is the collab.

Ellis and Mariel exchanging gifts. It seems like Ellis isn't used to this thing, but he's trying.

See you guys next year!