for days of auld lang syne

by thrakaboom

Summary:

Two times Pat Dugan saw It's a Wonderful Life with the Star-Spangled Kid.

ficmas day six: christmas movie

“I don’t see what the critics don’t like,” Sylvester said, hands in his pockets as he and Pat walked out of the movie theater. The marquee above them read IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE. 

Pat had the leftover popcorn in his hands as he strolled behind Sylvester, letting the young man give his own review of the picture. 

“Sure it's a bit corny, but I thought all that bit about how every man affects every other man was real good stuff, don’t you think Pat? I mean, haven’t we seen that proved enough.”

“You ain’t wrong there,” Pat agreed. It was starting to snow, just as he thought it would earlier. He was glad he managed to convince Sylvester to bring his hat, for once. Now if he could only get him to put it on, but Sylvester was happy enough to get the white flakes in his hair and keep his hat tucked under his arm. If he caught a cold, then he caught a cold. Pat couldn’t force it on him.

“We’ve met plenty of Mr. Potters too,” Sylvester continued, turning around to walk backwards so he could face Pat, grinning. “And plenty of men like that George Bailey. Jimmy Stewart was really strapping in that leading role, don’t you think?”

Pat just grinned back, letting Sylvester continue talking. 

---

Courtney stretched her arms over her head before stealing a handful of popcorn from the bowl in Pat’s lap. Mike had fallen asleep in the recliner before the film was over, having seen it with his dad almost every Christmas. But this was their first Christmas all together as a family and Courtney’s first time having ever seen It’s A Wonderful Life.

“What'd you think?” Pat asked when Courtney was done with her yawn. 

“Long,” she replied, which was her first review of practically any movie he showed her. “And a little cheesy.”

Pat guessed he should have expected that. It wasn’t the type of movie Courtney would go for herself, he knew. And maybe it did seem saccharine to a kid of Courtney's age.

“But it wasn’t bad, I guess. The main guy was really good and some of it kinda reminded me of stuff the JSA guys say.” Courtney was smiling. “In a good way.”

“So you liked it?” Pat asked with a knowing look.

“I wouldn't mind watching it again next year,” Courtney had to admit. She paused a moment before asking, “Who was the woman who played Mary?”

“Donna Reed?” Pat replied.

“She was kinda hot.”

Pat’s face split into a smile and a bit of a laugh, thinking for a moment of another Star-Spangled Kid.

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 6 of 12 Days of Ficmas 2024