He thinks of Christmases past. Bright Christmas trees. Colorfully wrapped gifts. Festive dinners.
Today, his family is gone. Friends are busy with their families. His Christmas is nothing but memories.
His phone rings. Someone remembers me? he thinks.
“Sharon?” a woman says. “Dan gave me a wonderful gift!”
“Wrong number!”
“Sorry!” Then, cheerfully: “Merry Christmas!”
He hangs up with a snarl and buries himself under the covers. He’ll eventually have to get up to go to the bathroom. But until then, there is no reason to get up.