He decided to take this day easy. He woke as usual at 7 am but lay in the bed and read newspaper. Then watched news yawning as they reminded him news he saw the year before and before and before. Then he went to the kitchen and kissed his wife.

"You should go and by Christmas tree. And I need some food from the market."

"Yes Ma'am!" he hugged her and went out.

.

He liked going shopping the day before Christmas. Seeing streets so festive, shops with all the happiness in the air, children with sparkling eyes and even adults looking on games for their kids with anticipation of playing with them tomorrow.

He bought a beautiful tree and everything his wife asked for in the market and returned home.

As usual she rebuked him brooded that he bought everything wrong - it's not one apple, two pound cheese, three potatoes, four tomatoes. It's just a list of things: one, two, three..

He was used to her scolding, so stopped hearing her the moment he entered home. He sat on the sofa and opened TV. Nothing interesting, but he had to kill some time. He took phone and called his daughter and sent regards to her hubby and children. Then he phoned his two sons and wished them too the best holiday.

And once he returned to TV. His head wasn't in it. He thought about two days from tomorrow. He thought how he will take his wife to the airport, telling her that they are going to visit their grandchildren, but will fly to Fiji. He saw in his mind the little bungalows without electricity, with candles, overlooking the ocean. He almost felt himself feasting on the beach with his wife and hundreds of other guests.

Phone stopped his sweet dreams.

"Yes? So urgent? Not even half an hour? Very well. I'm going out now"

His wife heard the call and stood in the entrance to the room.

"Already going? Isn't it a bit early?"

"They say that this year we have much more work as usual. It was a good year. And now we have to present everything we prepared  until now. It will be tough night."

"So, when will you return?"

"You know how it is - until I finish everything, I have to work. Don't wait for me. Go to sleep. We'll meet tomorrow."

"Promise that you won't drink too much milk. You are on diet now. And don't eat those chocolate biscuits. You remember what your doctor said about chocolate."

"Ow I remember everything. I'll try. It's just that it's there and I cann't but taste them."

"And drive carefully. I don't want to hear you fell into a chimney once more. And if you can, bring me a present too, Santa."

"Oh I will. I will."