Naughty or Nice

by Bill Rowan

Gonna find out who’s naughty and nice

Santa Claus is coming to town.

Ben was a good man. Smart and kind hearted, he was the kind of man that could make the world a better place. No matter how hard Ben’s life was he always found time to help others. This morning he had been walking in town when he came upon an elderly man sitting on the sidewalk, trying to stay warm by huddling close to a shop door. People ignored the obviously destitute man and Ben had seen the owner of the shop try to shoo the man away, yelling at him to find someplace else to sit and stop disrupting his business. That’s the trouble with people these days. No time to help anyone else other than themselves. Ben extended his hand to the man as he struggled to stand up.

“Bless you sir. This cold weather gets into my bones.”

“You’re most welcome. Here, take my coat. It will help keep you warm.” The man protested but Ben insisted and wrapped the coat around him. “Take this and get yourself something to eat.”

“Really sir. I couldn’t take your money.”

“Nonsense. I won’t take no for an answer. Merry Christmas to you.”

“And the same to you sir.”

Helping always made Ben feel better. He could forget about his own problems if only for a short while. Ben had made some bad choices in the past and had wound up living a very hard life as he approached his later years. There were always people far worse off than himself though and for what he had he was most appreciative. He had a nice warm house to live in and food on his table so why not share with others when he could?

Ben had hung his stocking on the mantel and his Christmas tree was all decked out in ornaments and tinsel that sparkled in the twinkling blue lights. Unfortunately, there were no brightly wrapped presents under the tree and the only excitement in the house was Ben’s enthusiasm while he waited for Christmas eve.

He still believed in Santa and every year he got disappointed when Santa didn’t show up to eat the milk and cookies he put out. This year would be different, he told himself, it just had to be. So, hoping for a miracle Ben went off to bed, visions of sugar plums dancing in his head.

Christmas morning arrived with bright sunshine glistening on newly fallen snow. Ben awoke early, anxious to see if Santa had been.

Ben made his way downstairs to his Christmas tree, hoping for the best but knowing he would probably be disappointed yet again. His eyes went wide with amazement when he saw the room. Decorations of all shapes and sizes adorned just about every surface, making a picture perfect Christmas scene. Santa Claus came! The milk and cookies are gone! And my coat! But I…  While there were still no presents under the tree, Ben noticed a small bulge in the toe of his Christmas stocking. He pulled the tiny wrapped box from its hiding place, anticipation filling him as he read the attached tag.

“Dear Ben. You are a very good man and deserve the best that life has to offer. Merry Christmas. Santa.”

I knew it! Santa is real!

Fingers trembling, Ben very carefully unwrapped his precious treasure. Much to his surprise what lay inside, nestled in a velvet lining, was a pair of exquisite gold and diamond cufflinks. Obviously very real gold and diamonds but of what use to Ben they were going to be was beyond his guess. He never went anywhere in a fancy suit that would require cufflinks like these. He didn’t even own a fancy suit! Maybe I can sell them for a lot of money. Maybe that is what Santa intended.

Still, they were a nice gift even if they weren’t of much use to him. He took them out to examine them closer, turning them over in his hands. They were even engraved with initials: “BC”. The “B” could stand for Benjamin but the “C”? His last name didn’t start with a “C”. Maybe Santa had made a mistake, and these were meant for someone else. Someone who had money and could make use of them. Disappointed, Ben started to return them to their box when he stuck his finger on one of the diamonds. A small drop of blood dripped onto the link which, much to his surprise, disappeared immediately into the diamond. What the…?

Before he could finish his thought, he found himself outside on some sort of pathway, dressed in a very well-tailored suit, the inks firmly attached to the cuffs of the shirt he now wore.

A very confused Ben looked around. Where am I? What happened? Not too cold but why am I outside in a suit?  The path ambled across well-manicured lawns to a large mansion just up ahead. Whoever lives here must be very wealthy to own such an estate. I hope they are awake. Gaping at the scenery all the while, he made his way to the front door, hesitant about possibly disturbing somebody. He couldn’t stand out here all day and maybe there would be some answers inside. He rang the doorbell, waiting for someone to respond.

***

After treating his friends to a very expensive dinner, Erick had gone out partying all night. He had no worries in the world. Wealthy and handsome, he had everything he could ever want, yet he treated people like they were his own personal servants, only there to do his bidding. Erick enjoyed his drunken debaucheries if for no other reason than it got him away from his parents for a while. Christmas was just another excuse to get drunk and nothing more.

On his way to his waiting limo he had come across a bum lying on the sidewalk. “Get out of my way,” his words slurring from all the booze, “or I’ll kick you out of the way.” When the man didn’t move, Erick, true to his threat, proceeded to kick the man into the street. “That’ll teach you to ignore me.” Laughing as the man tried to scramble from the ground, Erick continued on his way and ignored the bum’s pleas for assistance. “Fucking scum.” he muttered under his breath.

He always thought he was being clever going into the house via the servants’ quarters after his nights out, but his parents knew what he was doing. He made his way up to his lavish room, barely missing the Christmas tree in the foyer and the expensive decorations along the stairway. He fell onto his bed in his drunken stupor, not even bothering to remove his clothes.

“Erick, wake up. Your mother is downstairs waiting to have Christmas with you.” His father was none too happy with his son this morning.

“Fuck off. Leave me alone. I want to sleep. My head hurts.”

“No wonder. Out all night getting drunk again. This time young man you are going to do as I say and come downstairs. I will not have you disappointing your mother because you can’t handle your liquor.”

“What will you do if I don’t?” Erick was definitely a spoiled defiant brat, used to getting his way no matter what.

“I’ll cut off your credit cards for starters. I’ve let you get your own way far too long. Now get your lazy ass moving.” His father left the room, leaving Erick to get out of bed and dressed.

“Fuck Christmas.” He shed his expensive suit, letting the clothes just fall to the floor where he stood. He stumbled to the bathroom, barely making it as he tried to shield his eyes from the light coming in the window. Damn his head hurt. Maybe he would feel better if he had a hot shower.

The shower didn’t help much. Still quite hungover, he was getting dressed in some clothes he found lying around when he noticed a piece of something black sitting on his nightstand. Curious, he picked it up. He fingered it, trying to tell what it was when he saw the note it had been lying on.

“Dear Erick. You’ve been a very naughty boy. Disrespecting your parents and treating others like they are all your playthings. Shame on you. Time you learned to appreciate all you have. Santa.”

Santa? Who the fuck is Santa? There is no such person as Santa. He thought back on the fairy tales his parents used to tell him when he was young. How Santa would leave a lump of coal for naughty boys and girls. Erick didn’t believe in Santa. What kind of nut would run around in a fucking red suit, giving presents away and saying “ho, ho, ho” all the time? His fucking father must be playing some kind of stupid prank on him, leaving him a piece of coal. But he wasn’t a fucking kid anymore. He was an adult! He was about to toss the coal into the trash when a sudden sharp jolt shot up his arm, causing him to drop the coal to the floor. A thick black smoke started to arise. I’m going to die was his last thought as the smoke enveloped him completely in choking fumes.

A very disoriented Erick found himself suddenly standing quite erect in the formal dining room downstairs. Fuck. How did I get here? What the fuck am I wearing?

“My son should be joining us shortly. Please inform cook to have breakfast ready when he returns from his usual early morning walk.”

Why is my father talking to me like I’m some kind of servant? Tell the fucking cook yourself. When he opened his mouth to protest what came out surprised him. “Very good, sir.” He sounded very British, very formal, and definitely not like himself. “Is there anything else you require, sir.”

“That will be all for now.”

No matter how hard he tried to say, “It’s me, Erick, your son.” all that came out was “Very good, sir.” Damn. My own father doesn’t recognize me. He had no control over his own body whatsoever. As he found himself turning to leave, the front doorbell rang. “I’ll see who might be calling this morning, sir.” Unable to stop himself, he went to the foyer and opened the door.

***

“Excuse me for disturbing you but I’m lost.” Wait… that wasn’t his voice. He didn’t have such a smooth baritone, nor did he sound so… young!?

“Did you have a good walk, Ben? Forgot to take your key again I see.” Ben had no idea who the man coming from the other room to greet him was or how he knew his name. “Erick, tell cook we’ll have breakfast now.”

“Very good, sir.” Fuck. Was that the only thing he was able to say… very good, sir? Who is this guy Ben anyways? How does my father know him?

“Can’t leave work at the office, son? You even think you must wear a suit when you go walking? Why don’t you go upstairs to your room and change into something more comfortable? Oh, and tell your mother your back so we can all have breakfast together. She’s in the drawing room.”

Now Ben was more puzzled than before. Why does this man think I’m his son? I’m the same age he is, maybe a little older. I have no idea where the drawing room or “my room” is. I better play along for now until I can figure out what is going on. He started up the stairs. He turned to his left at the landing and followed the hall into what must be another wing of the house.

As luck, or maybe Santa, would have it, Ben saw a maid cleaning out one of the bedroom suites. “I’ll be done with your room in a minute, sir.” She told him.

“Thank you. Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas to you as well.” She finished her work and Ben entered, enthralled by the sheer size and opulence of the room… or rather suite. In addition to the bedroom there was a sitting room (complete with a bar and big screen television), an office, and a bath. She had left the bathroom door ajar, so he quickly made his way there, the room filling with soft light as he flicked the switch, revealing every possible convenience anyone could ever want in a bath. He made his way to the toilet to find some much needed relief for his bladder. He unzipped his pants and… This isn’t my dick. What happened to my dick? More pressing than that question was the need to relieve himself, so he let the stream flow freely, savoring the strength he hadn’t felt in years. After zipping up he turned to leave when he caught sight of himself in the mirror. Except it wasn’t his usual self he saw. The stranger looking back at him was at least 30 years younger, had a head full of dark nicely styled hair, and a chiseled jaw adorned with oh-so-sexy stubble. He turned to the side and the stranger turned as well. He couldn’t believe this could be him, the reflection so incredibly handsome in a “tall, dark, and handsome” fashion. If this is a dream I don’t want to wake up.

The longer he stood there dressed impeccably in the tailored suit, the more his old life disappeared, replaced by memories of Benjamin Carmichael. Memories of growing up in a loving home with his mom and dad, of excelling in academics and athletics in high school and college, of graduating from Harvard law school Summa Cum Laude and finally of joining his dad’s law firm. He had a good life and every chance he got he helped people in need. It was just in his nature.

He went to find something more comfortable to wear before going back downstairs to let his mother know it was time for breakfast and to spend Christmas with his family. He had an incredible life that he was so very thankful to enjoy.

***

In the kitchen Erick was helping cook with the final details of the family’s Christmas breakfast when he caught his reflection in one very shiny surface. He slightly gasped. No wonder his father hadn’t recognized him. He looked nothing like himself, at least the self he still remembered. He wanted to scream out: “Look at me. I’m Erick Carmichael.” But the words just would not come. Am I doomed to live as someone’s servant, always watching what other people have, always envious and wanting my old life back?

Christmas was particularly hard on Erick as he watched his mother and father so happily enjoying time with their son Ben. Why do they think this stranger is their son? Maybe this is all some sort of bad dream and I’ll wake tomorrow to find everything back to normal. But he already knew the answer. Santa said I needed to learn to appreciate what I’ve lost. This is his way of teaching me.

Tomorrow dawned and Erick awoke early, only to find nothing had changed and he had to begin the daily preparations. He sighed. This was his life, always remembering what he had lost yet unable to tell anybody, unable to do anything but watch Ben live the life he used to have.

***

Time went by and slowly Erick changed, learning to be kind to people and helping whenever he could. He had accepted his new life and was determined to make it the best life possible. He even found himself growing close to Ben as a very good friend, not like the shallow people who only called themselves his friends because he had money. Before he knew it, the mansion was again filled with Christmas joy.

Christmas morning came, filled with bright sunshine glistening on newly fallen snow – the perfect “Currier and Ives” Christmas scene. Erick had been awake for some time going over the list of preparations for the family Christmas celebration. Once he had completed that he headed to the shower to get himself clean prior to starting the day’s tasks.

The shower felt so warm and relaxing this morning, the soap so soft and leaving a great tingling feeling. His thoughts went back to last Christmas when everything had changed. He hardly recognized the old Erick as ever being truly him, he had changed so much. He finished his shower, drying himself with a towel as he exited. Ouch! He stumbled across the doorway. His body felt somehow different, taller and bigger. He turned to face the bathroom mirror, the towel dropping to the floor when he saw his reflection. What the…? Who am I now?

There was a knock on the door. “Erick. Are you awake?” Ben’s voice. I’m still Erick but I definitely don’t look like me. Why is Ben asking if I’m awake?

“Yes, I’m up. I’ll be out in a minute.” He had lost the accent and now had a smooth baritone very similar to Ben.

“Meet you downstairs with mom and dad. Don’t be too long, okay? Merry Christmas brother.” He could hear Ben’s footsteps receding down the hall. Mom and dad? Brother? He turned back to face his bedroom… only it wasn’t the same room he had left. He was back in his old suite, except now everything was neat and well-cared for, unlike when he had left everything strewn about for the maids to clean up.

He noticed a suit had been laid out on the bed. Attached to the lapel was a note.

“Dear Erick. Enjoy your new family. Merry Christmas. Santa.”

The suit fit him perfectly, framing his now taller and toned body to perfection. The mirror reflected someone that definitely had a familial connection to Ben. In fact, they could be… brothers. Brothers. That sounded nice and as he pondered the possibility his reality changed. He and Ben were brothers, Ben only slightly older. While Ben had decided to follow their father into law, Erick had gone to Harvard to become a doctor. Like his brother, he had excelled in both academics and athletics and had graduated Summa Cum Laude. He loved helping people.

He went downstairs to join his family, sure his big brother would rag on him for wearing a suit, but Erick liked to dress nice for Christmas. It was a special day, after all.