"Eh!'' said Monishia. "Ya know what de day is?'' "Yeah! It's de um um twenty-third of December,'' replied Jevon. "Oh! Happy birthday baby.'' "Jevon, what else happens round dis time of year?'' asked Monishia. There was a very long pause, "Shoot! We have to go to T.C.D. to get de bike registered.

We better get going now before it closes!'' So Monishia and Jevon left their home by Somerset Bridge and made their way all the way down to St. Georges, on the brick red rental bike they bought three years ago. They swerved past some tourists and almost overtook the Number Seven bus on South Shore. In a little less than an hour they had made their way there to only find that it was closed. "Now what we gonna do?'' Monishia inquired. "It's too late to go home so we gotta find a place to stay. NOW!'' Jevon had realised not to mess with or upset his wife because pregnant women were not very patient people, so he just nodded his head and started up the bike again.They first tried Grotto Bay Hotel but they couldn't even afford to sleep on the grass! Next it was the Aquarium but Archie the seal kicked them out. It seemed like they would never find a place to stay. Eventually they ran out of hope but tried the International Airport. "No you can't stay hur! What will de tourists think?'' "Please Furbert! Everyone else has turned us down but we thought dat we could count on you!'' "Jevon, you can't stay hur but you can stay at de old base lands. Just don't tell anyone dat I sent ya!'' "Thank-you!'' Jevon and Monishia chimed. They looked for a place in one of the old buildings and found a nice cozy house. They put on the fire and relaxed in comfort until....

"Jevon, it's hur!'' "You mean...!'' "Yes and our little bundle of joy is gonna be ariving, hmm .... right about NOW! So help me!'' "Just keep doing your lamaze. Breathe in, breathe ...'' "Ok just help me!'' screeched Monishia with sweat trickling off her brow. By now Jevon had positioned himself so that he could see if the baby was coming. Lucky for them that Jevon had gone to medical school for college and later on wanted to become a fisherman. "Honey, keep breathing you're doing great!'' "Shut up Jevon!'' shouted Monishia.

"It's a boy! It's a boy!'' Jevon said as the baby emerged. "Sweet Jesus!'' he said with a smile bright enough to power the sun. They cleaned him off and laid him in the bike basket, wrapped in Jevon's `Nike' jacket. At the same time as the baby was born the Angel Elizabeth the second came and told Anne Cartwright De Couto, Tessie Teceria, Trevor Moniz, Alex Scott and David Allen about the birth of the baby. These shepards that watch over Bermuda jumped into Trevor Moniz's car and drove off. They followed the smell of codfish and potatoes that was so high in the air. The scent led them right to Jevon, Monishia and the Baby. They had no gifts to bring but debated about the child's name. At that moment the screeching of wheels and the honking of a horn could be heard in front of the house. And in stepped the wisest people of the Island. Jennifer Smith presented a full academic scholarship, from primary school all the way up to Cedar Bridge Academy. Johnny Barnes gave the child a wooden box containing peace, love and happiness. Johnny then waved at him and said good morning to him. Dr. David Saul gave the book of wisdom entitled `Everything is gonna be all right!...I hope.' Johnny then said, "We have traveled far and wide. Well actually we went to your house but we saw you weren't there so...'' Jennifer cut him off by saying, "Here!'' and bowed.

Just then another screeching of wheels could be heard. "It's Santa!'' exclaimed Dr. Saul, but to his surprise he heard... "Sorry I'm late. Here you go little man. There was a long line at McDonalds,'' John Swan said apologetically and presented a `Happy Meal' and the Golden Arches to the child. "Looks like we're all hur, so let's celebrate the birth of baby Jerome. Codfish and potatoes for everyone!'' shouted Jevon. "And that, Miss Smith was the story of the first Christmas. Do I get an A?'' asked Jerome.

"What do you mean an F? I did tell the truth! Didn't I?'' And with that he smiled and sat down knowing he was right.'' PHOTO Amanda Neale Robinson, winner of the Under18 category in the short story competition SHORT STORY CONTEST CPN