MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE
Adele Hamlin
A resident of Washington, DC, Adele Hamlin attended Armstrong High School where she established a reputation as an actor in the dramas put on by the school’s dramatic club. In 1932, the Baltimore Afro American described her performance of “Emma, the maid” as “a scream.” Her love of the theater fueled her interest in writing plays that focused on black women’s relationships with men. And in short stories such as “Molly Ann: The Love Story of an Unmarried Mother” and “A Rotten Filthy Coward,” Hamlin describes the lives of ordinary women who often fall in love and sometime get pregnant by men who are simply interested in having a good time. Hamlin’s female characters are strong and outspoken women who refuse to be humbled by these experiences.
Between 1931 and 1953, Adele Hamlin wrote more than twenty short stories, including “The Christ Child Comes to Town,” “The Christmas Fair,” and “A Bride for Christmas,” all of which appeared in the Baltimore Afro-American. “Merry Christmas Eve,” published in 1948, is set on Christmas Eve instead of the usual Christmas Day. The story revolves around Angie, a young woman who is excited over her new relationship with Doug, who is the exact opposite of her old boyfriend, Rollins. Christmas Eve is considered by many to be a special time, to be spent with those whom we love. For some, it is a time to evaluate old relationships and to solidify new ones. In any case, it is conceived of as a time to be spent with those who make us feel good about life and ourselves.
Angie, like many young women, finds it difficult to move forward with a new relationship without coming to closure with the old. To do so, she uses those values associated with Christmas to make careful comparisons between Doug and Rollins. The central question for Angie is, Which of them reflects the strength and character she is looking for in a man? For her, a virtuous man is one who is caring, unselfish, generous, responsible, and sensitive. That is the kind of man she wants to spend Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and indeed the rest of her life with. Will Angie choose Doug or Rollins?
Merry Christmas Eve
The sun was up playing against the blinds. Angie sat up and laughed because it was Christmas Eve and Doug was coming over early that morning. Christmas was a glorious time to be with Doug, he was so gay, crazy, good and everything that took her mind off Rollins.
Jane had the radio on and children were singing “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” Angie jumped up and joined them.
“It’s bad luck to sing before breakfast!”
“I’m not superstitious on Christmas Eve!” she yelled down to her sister.
Dressed, she hurried downstairs. Wrapped gifts were on chairs and tables and a tree stood in a corner waiting to be dressed. She and Doug would do that before they went to church. A New Man!
“My,” said Jane, “new hair-do, new clothes, new personality. Oh what a new man and be-bop glasses can do for a chick!”
“Any coffee?”
“Uh-huh. Not changing the subject but you look much better than you did when Rollins was around. Don’t you feel better too? He was so darn morbid!”
“Leave Rollins out! I want to have a marvelous time this year!”
“Making up for the years Rollins spoiled. Or does Doug automatically make everything nice?”
“Doug and I are just good friends!” said Angie indignantly. “He’s helping me forget Rollins and I’m helping him forget Alice!”
A Grand Job
“Well let me be the first to congratulate you two on the grand job you’re doing!”
“Now look—Oh! There’s Doug!”
“Imagine Rollins taking baskets to needy families. You might love Rollins but I bet you have more fun with Doug.”
Doug held an armful of holly. “I saw a kid selling this—”
“And you bought the whole bunch!”
“I told him I wanted to decorate a hall.”
Doug could help a person without taking away his self-respect.
During the deliveries he became bosom friends with the families. He repaired a tree holder, sang carols drank a glass of port with an old lady and played a few numbers with an old gentleman who couldn’t find a job.
They crept through streets lined with people, Santa Clauses, Salvation Army kettles, Christmas trees, their salesmen huddled around cans of fire.
Jane met them at the door and blurted out, “Rollins called. He’ll be over at eight.”
Angie stared at her. “Rollins called?” she said wonderingly. She walked slowly to the window. She didn’t know what to do or think. It was as if Christmas were over.
Doug spoke casually, “I guess I’ll run along.” He left before Angie could speak.
“Well your old flame is back,” said Jane dryly. “Are you glad?”
“I don’t know,” said Angie. “I don’t know.” But all of a sudden she felt very tired.
The Same Rollins
Rollins came. The same old Rollins. His new suit cost him a hundred bucks so he hadn’t minded tossing a quarter to a beggar as he hopped in a cab to come to her house.
Angie turned the radio on. She was thinking about Doug.
“Aren’t you going to kiss me?”
“Later,” she said avoiding his eyes.
His voice fell on her and seemed to smother her. She chinked at the smoldering logs. Sparks rushed up the chimney, the flames following.
“Weren’t you wrong, Angie?”
As she gazed into the flames, she saw Doug’s face.
“You could have called me and told me you were sorry.”
She turned away from the fireplace but there was the radio. A choir was singing “Silent Night” and she could hear Doug with them.
“It doesn’t take anything away from you to apologize—”
“Rollins, go away!” she cried.
After he left she stared into the fire until Jane and Harry were ready for church. She shook her head when they asked her to go with them.
She finally aroused herself and looked out the door at the quiet sky. It was a dark blue velvet with hundreds of stars.
“And once there was a star, brighter than all the rest, that led them from afar to The Holy Child—” She came back in and started dressing the tree.
And after a while the door chimes sounded gently. She stared about her.
The tree’s fragrance began to fill the room, a sweet tenor voice began singing, “Oh Holy Night,” and sparks from the fire began to dance merrily up the chimney—she rushed to the door.
“Doug!” she cried. “Oh Doug!”
She was in his arms and he was saying, “Baby, we’re about to break up a beautiful friendship.” He kissed her and said, “Merry Christmas, darling,” and then he kissed her again.
