“I can’t believe you found a dog sweater we can decorate for Comet,” I tell Charlie, holding up the soft, green material.
Charlie laughs. “Finding the right size was the hardest part.”
“It just means we can make it even more ridiculous.”
When I suggested this, I didn’t think he’d take it up withsuch zeal. But that’s my Charlie. He doesn’t do anything half-assed.
Puff balls and garlands and glitter glue sit on the table. He even has small jingle bells for us to choose from.
“Are you trying to put a bell on me?” I grab one of the small objects and listen to its melodic sound.
“Yes, so I always know where you are.” Charlie grabs it from my hand. “Maybe we should put some of these on Comet’s sweater.”
“Let’s work on his and then we can work on ours.”
“Yours is the green one to match Comet.”
“Aww. Like father, like son.”
Charlie shakes his head at me as we make quick work of decorating Comet’s before moving onto each of our own.
“What are you doing on yours?” I ask Charlie, peeking over his shoulder.
“No looking.” Charlie shifts so I can’t see what he’s putting on his sweater.
“It’s not a test. I’m not going to cheat.”
“I don’t want you copying my greatness.”
“If that’s what we’re calling these sweaters.” I laugh.
“You know…” Charlie reaches across me for the green puff glitter. “We’ll have to wear these on Friday.”
“What’s on Friday?” I ask.
“We’re having an Ugly Sweater Party."
I laugh, dabbing glue onto another puff ball and putting it next to a fake Christmas light. “Will there be a contest for best sweater?”
“Yes.”
“Then count me in.”
“I hate to say, but you’ll probably win.”
“Hey!” I smack him in the arm. “This is a thing of beauty.”
“Umm…okay.”
I stare at the back of his head. “It’s not like you can see it.”
Charlie spins on his heel to take mine in. “Oh, Brooks.”
I peer over his shoulder and look at his. Of course it’s a masterpiece. All the garland is done up in a pattern with balls placed over the sweater to look like a tree.
“How can yours look so good?” I balk. “Seriously. It looks like something you’d buy at the store.”
Charlie reaches across the table and grabs one of the star patches. He dabs some glue on it before adding it right below the collar. “Because I’m amazing.”
