*All characters are 18 years of age or older.
"I'm coming! Hold your horses!"
She wished he'd hurry up. It was bitterly cold outside, and the only company she had was that damn song playing in her head. It wasn't even Christmassy. The winter chill was normal, yes, but deep in her soul Ellie knew it was also the ominous march of climate change. The door swung open and the big man smiled under his greying moustache. Ellie was sucked into her father's loving embrace. She'd have been so embarrassed if her college mates were around. Absent of them, she allowed herself to enjoy her daddy's warmth.
"Merry Christmas, dad," she said, her feet finally back on the ground.
He caught her sly eye roll. The big, barrel-chested man looked quite ridiculous in his tacky Christmas sweater. For Ellie, it was just more materialistic waste that would only be worn a few days a year. Gerald ushered her inside and closed the door.
"I'm looking forward to seeing you in yours," he said.
"Not in a million years, dad."
"Come on! Don't be such a killjoy," he said, throwing his arm around her. "It's family tradition!"
"I suppose mom is slaving away in the kitchen as usual?"
"Yeah. But she has help this time."
"Oh, really? One of my lovely brother's finally lifting their weight."
"No. But his girlfriend is!"
Gerald let out a rambunctious laugh as he tickled his helpless daughter. He was still laughing as Ellie broke free and escaped to the kitchen. Her mother was clad in an apron, marching between oven and dining room table.
"Mom!" Ellie called, spreading her arms. "My gosh! Are you trying to feed and army?"
The pudgy woman's face lit up as she squeeze-hugged her only daughter. She studied the wrapped present that was sneakily slid into her hand.
"Don't tell the others," Ellie whispered. "I only got them some beer. But I wanted you to have this."
"Oh, thank you, sweetheart," her slightly confused mother said. "Merry Christmas."
"You shouldn't be doing all this by yourself, mom. Where's Peter and Craig?"
The woman looked around her kitchen and dining room. The long wooden table was stacked with a variety of meats and other seasonal delights.
"That nice young girl, Kelly, was helping me earlier. I don't know where she's gone. Probably off with Pete, getting up to you know what."
"Ugh! Mom!"
"What about you, love?" she said, squeezing Ellie's arm. "No special friend with you this year?"
Maybe she'd talk to her mom about it later. But Ellie had met someone. Adam, the leader of the Save Our Planet Now society. Or SOPN for short. There were lots of amazing people in the organisation, but it all started with him. Where did she begin. He was tall, charismatic, with dark shoulder length hair, and a thick bushy beard. They'd met at the college society open day. Ellie had always been environmentally aware. But it was Adam's speech that day when she knew she could really make a difference. And she would. She'd prove to him that she was serious about SOPN.
"Look at you, blushing like a little lovestruck puppy. Spill the beans!"
Embarrassed, Ellie spun away and headed upstairs.
"Don't be long. Cinderella. Dinner's almost ready!
***
It wasn't the college sweater, nor thoughts of him that made Ellie hot. As usual, mom had the heating turned up way too high. It was such a waste, and something she'd have to bring her parents attention. Not today though. Today, it suited her plan. Ellie peeled off her sweater. Reflecting back at her in the mirror was her bulging closet. The cringey Christmas top that hung somewhere inside could stay there. Her fair trade, organic, cotton tank-top would do just fine.
She knew she'd get a tongue lashing from her father when he spotted the exposed tattoo on her wrist. Like always, after a few drinks he'd calm right down. She'd had it done with a couple of girls from SOPN. Drawn in jet black ink, it was the image of Earth with the organisation's acronym beneath it. Normally against such body modifications, Ellie was proud to display her dedication to the cause. She'd never forget Adam's approving smile when he eventually noticed it.
Scanning the pink walls of her bedroom, she barely recognised the little girl she used to be. Ellie picked up an old Barbie and scoffed. Long, blonde hair with that distinct bosom. Even back then, the doll was much like her owner. Shallow, materialistic, and relying on a Ken, Ellie believed that in other ways they were very much different. She gazed at herself in the mirror. Breasts straining against her black top, she wondered was she showing a bit too much. Barbie wore her hair down. Ellie chose to wear hers as a thick, single braid, similar to Peter's favourite character - Lara Croft. Her mother's voice boomed again. Ellie was almost ready. Just one final thing.
She heard a mix of voices descend the stairs. One was Kelly's. Puckering her rubbery lips, the gloss gave them a moist shine. The other voices belonged to her brother's. Despite the inevitable onslaught of abuse, it'd be good to see them again. The smell of roasted meat made her mouth water. She didn't feel one bit guilty about relaxing her vegetarianism. What she was about to do would more than make up for it.
***
"Nice of you to join us, Goldilocks!" Peter said.
Ellie scootched in between her father and Pete. The packed table looked even more dazzling. Candles were fully ablaze in their silver stand. As the meal went on, clothes became stained with gravy and wine. Glad they weren't here, the meat juices that ran down chins would have given Ellie's friends an aneurysm. Wearing silly paper hats, they chatted, and shared the usual corny jokes. Why was the turkey so sad? He knew he was getting gobbled!
"Could you pass the jug, sis?" Craig said.
Ellie glared at her dim brother.
"The gravy is right in front of you."
"No. Not the gravy. The jug. Pass the jug."
A confused Ellie scanned the table in front of her. Maybe there was water somewhere among all the dishes. The only thing she noticed were men's faces and their stupid smiles. Even her mother was laughing as a carrot flew past Craig's head. Adjusting her tank top did little to conceal her 'jugs.' Her brother's had another great laugh when Dad finally noticed her ink. Thick fingers closed around her wrist as he pulled it close.
"Jesus, Ellie! How far are you willing to go for these clowns! Cut your leg off, huh? Destroy the rest of your body?" he said with a scowl.
It could have been worse, Ellie thought to herself. She could have went all out with clumpy dreads and piercings like some of the other SOPN girls. Luckily, for her father's sake, she wasn't quite as expressive as them.
"Well if we all do our bit, it would make a difference."
"Here we go. Another of my sister's famous eco-warrior speeches," Peter said.
"Peter, do you know that thousands of unwanted Christmas gifts will end up in landfill? Don't you think that's a huge problem?"
