Author: SyndicateGirl
Archive: Yes, definitely! But please keep my headers attached and let me know where it is if you can. Thanks!
Spoilers:
Rating: G
Classification:  Response to fanfic challenge: Story must include: 1970s, department store, someone needing to buy a gift. Between 500-1250 words.
Summary: Samantha Mulder buys a birthday gift for her brother.
Disclaimer: The X-Files characters are Chris Carter's and 1013 Productions', not mine, unfortunately; no infringement is intended. Please don't sue - I'm a writer, and have no money! :D

TITLE: Happy Birthday, Buttmunch

Samantha had been saving up for weeks for this.  She had even done a bunch of extra chores around the house to save up more money.

One day Samantha’s father had come home to find her diligently sweeping the entire house for extra money.  She was mimicking her mother perfectly, and even added the exhausted murmured complaints about how “Utterly sandy this poor floor is,” and then “You kids need to remember to dust off before you come in from outdoors.”   

It must have been a convincing performance, too, because her daddy had laughed and given her an extra dollar for the “entertainment value” (whatever that meant).

Now that she had all the money she would need, her mother was driving them both to the department store to get the prized purchase.  Fox’s 11th birthday was only a week away, and she had the perfect gift picked out for him.

The new “Bing, Bang, Boing” game.  He had seen it on television and went nuts.  Samantha could already imagine playing it with her brother, and she was sure that he would love it.  

Don McLean’s “American Pie” played over the car radio as they pulled in to the parking lot, and Samantha danced along to the chorus as they parked.

“We’re here!” Samantha chirped over the music.  Teena smiled and gave Samantha a glance as she put the car keys in her purse, “Remember, Sam, if you mind your manners in here, we go out for ice cream after we’re done shopping.”

Teena Mulder was not above offering a bribe.

“Hooray for iithe cream!” Samantha said with a clap of her hands.  Teena stifled a laugh at the adorable “th” sound that had temporarily replaced Sam’s “c” due to her missing baby tooth.  

The two of them got out of the car, and Samantha took her mother’s hand, vowing to get her safely across the street.  As they crossed the parking lot, Samantha talked all about street safety.  Mrs. Allenton, her second grade teacher, had just talked to the whole class about it, and she wanted to make sure that her mother knew all about it, too.  

They made their way into the department store, and waded through the crowd.  The Halloween display was set up, and took all of Samantha’s self-control not to stop and admire the ghouls and vampires that hung over the costume display.  She loved Halloween.

But she was on a mission for her brother.  It was Fox’s birthday, soon, and nothing would stop her from getting him the perfect present.  Sure, he was a total pain most of the time, but she still loved him.  Not that she would tell him that unless she was forced into it.  

Finally, Samantha and her mother rounded the corner to the toy department.  

There it was - the holy grail of the toy department - Bing-Bang-Boing.  

Only 2 boxes left, and she wasn’t taking any chances.  With a squeal of, “Ittth’s here!” Samantha’s little hand slipped out of Teena’s grasp, and she raced over to the display, with Teena calling out after her not to run.  

Teena made her way over to the display as Samantha hugged the large box close to her as though it were a treasure.  

Teena leaned in and read the box front, “The Bounce-A-Dilly Whatchamagame with the Bingaroony Sound!”  She cringed a little inside, already imagining the unrelenting metallic pinging as the metal marbles flew from the game.  

Thoughts of broken lamps and shattered dishes swirled in her head.  She knew how Fox and Sam played, and it wasn’t always easy on their surroundings.  

Teena briefly considered trying to talk Samantha into finding a more serene game, but one look at the bright smile on her daughter’s face was all it took for Teena to melt

“I know Fox is going to love it, Sam.” Teena said with a smile, pushing an errant strand of hair behind Samantha’s ear.  

“You really think thsso?” Samantha asked, beaming.

Teena nodded, “I’m sure he’ll be thrilled with it,” she said, still smiling.  She couldn’t help but smile when looking at her baby girl.  Samantha had never been as serious as the rest of her family.  She was, as Fox had once said, their “goofy,” little ray of sunshine.  

She was good for her brother, often getting him to laugh.  Teena loved to watch her and Fox playing.  They could harass each other and run around for hours without ever tiring.  The laughter in the air (well, when they weren’t bickering, that is) had the ability to brighten her day, no matter how stressful it had been.   

They were such different children, but she loved them both, and their lighthearted bantering always brought a smile to her face.  She silently wished that her childhood had been as carefree.    

A little tug on her coat sleeve brought Teena back to the present, “Mommy, we’d better hurry and get thistth!  We need to get it wrapped so Fox doesn’t sthee it!”  

By the time Teena had time to respond, Samantha was already tugging her towards the cash register.  

Samantha had carefully wrapped the gift herself.  She had insisted on it.  It was now wrapped up perfectly in bright blue and green paper with a big white bow on top.  

It was the morning of October 13th, Friday the 13th which Samantha thought was extra exciting for a birthday.  Both of them had the day off from school, because the whole family was going to spend the entire day celebrating Fox’s birthday at Lincoln Park in Dartmouth.  

Fox had begged to go to Lincoln Park to ride The Comet, and today was finally the day.  Samantha was excited that her daddy finally had a day off, and she couldn’t wait for all of them to spend the day having fun.

She grabbed the big box, tucking it under her arm, and raced into Fox’s room.  She jumped up on his bed, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” she yelled.  

A bleary eyed Fox poked his head out from under the covers.  

He could already smell the breakfast that his mother was making for him.  He had asked for a “mountain” of bacon, and a stack of pancakes, and he knew she wouldn’t disappoint him.  

He saw the big box under Samantha’s arm and grinned, “Who needs an alarm clock when you have a little sister? Thanks, Sam.”  

She giggled and held out the shiny box, “This is for you. I hope you like it.”  

Fox sat up, tearing at the paper.  When he saw it was Bing-Bang-Boing, he couldn’t help but let out a yell of excitement.

“Bing-Bang-Boing! You remembered!”  Before he could stop himself, he was hugging his baby sister.  

“Aw, what the heck,” he thought, still elated at the sight of his new game.  She laughed, obviously surprised.  

“You really like it, Foxy Loxy?”

He pulled away and grimaced at the nickname, but the smile came not long after, “I wouldn’t have hugged you if I didn’t, Smellmantha.”

“Happy Birthday, Butmunch,” Samantha called out as she ran back to her room to get ready.  

Mulder rolled the metal marble in his hand.  After a a few decades, his parents’ divorce, and household moves, most of his Bing-Bang-Boing game was now gone.

But he still had this metal marble.  

And sometimes, when he really missed her, he would roll it around in his hand to remind him of a simpler time, when he could still have fun with his goofy baby sister.

CSM: Nothing vanishes without a trace...burn it!