“Merry Christmas girls!!! Are we ready to get the holiday season started off right? I just finished making our special cocoa and was about to add in the alcohol. I’ll pour it into the thermos and we’ll be ready to go. Come on in.” She opened the door wide to usher in the girls as she headed back into the kitchen. Both Julie and Penelope were bundled up ready for the wintery night outdoors. The Carol of Lights on campus was an annual holiday tradition for the community. The entire main campus was lined with Christmas lights and this was the night where they threw the switch to turn all those lights on for the season. The sidewalks were lined with luminaries and the choir and band came out to lead the Christmas carols. It was simply the perfect kick off for the holiday season and most of the campus and town showed up to join in. As Julie entered the house, she looked around puzzled. “Cassie, where’s your tree? I can’t believe you don’t have it up yet. Usually you have it up before Thanksgiving.”
