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Tweak says, "SCHMOKIN"!"

Eddie Kaspbrak (ekaspbrak) wrote in snapthread,
@ 2019-12-14 18:51:00

Entry tags:

eddie kaspbrak, stanley uris

Who: Eddie Kaspbrak and Stan Uris
What: Hallmark’s attempt to be inclusive by using Hanukkah as a plot device
Where: A big city with very few Jews, apparently
When: Now
Rating:A for Awkward

It had taken a lot of coaxing, a littler bartering, a few promises, and more begging than Eddie would ever admit to actually get Stan to try the doors again. The first and only time his friend had allowed himself to be talked into it they’d found themselves dumped back into the middle of the source of their childhood trauma. Well. The source of most of their childhood trauma. It wouldn’t be fair to blame Neibolt for all of their problems when their parents, Derry, and Henry Bowers had contributed. Either way they had wound up in the last place they had wanted to visit and the two of them had sort of decided to never try those doors again. That, of course, was before Eddie decided he needed to buy gifts. Before he realized just how close the holidays were and how they lacked anything more festive than the ugly sweaters Richie had brought back for them. Eddie could, at least, find a place and purchase a few gifts. Maybe they could get a menorah too and celebrate Hanukkah with Stan.

As they made their way towards the door, Eddie looked back at the other man. “Come on….” He all but whined, sounding nearly as bad as Richie as he tried to get Stan to follow. “I’ve been hearing good things about the doors this time. Richie went through and came back unscathed. How bad could it be?” Yes, famous last words but Eddie was hopeful this time. He was pretty sure things were going to turn out okay. He hoped things would turn out okay or Stan would never trust him again. Once the other had joined him, he reached out and took ahold of Stan’s hand. They’d do this together. “If it’s bad, we’ll leave. We won’t even try another door. We’ll just go.” He promised.

He opened the first door he came to and gave Stan a hopeful look, a comforting squeeze to his hand, before he stepped through…

It was strange how a great week could turn out so horribly. Just yesterday things seemed to be going his way. Eddie was in line for a big promotion and had managed to impress an important client. The account was all but his. He just needed to come up with an idea for a new toy line. It wasn’t a problem. He was creative enough and his boss had promised him the client wouldn’t actually be asking for ideas until after the holidays. It hadn’t worked out that way. Eddie and the new client, David, were kindred spirits in a way. They both loved children, loved making toys, and loved the holidays. He’d been invited to a big holiday party and, assuming they were talking Christmas, Eddie had proclaimed himself an expert. He was more than happy to take charge of whatever activities were on David’s list for the party. Christmas was his favorite time of the year. Unfortunately, David wasn’t throwing a Christmas party. He was throwing a Hanukkah party and Eddie knew absolutely nothing about Hanukkah. This account could be his, that promotion could be his if he could just show them what he was capable of. There was no way he could do that if he was fumbling his way through dinner and embarrassing his boss and himself all night long. It was just lucky his friend, Samantha, knew someone who could help.

Samantha had something of a crush on her son’s teacher. Eddie heard about it often enough when she was dropping the boy off at school and, probably, staring at him. Now he could see why. The guy was handsome. Taller than Eddie with a cute button nose, dark curly hair, and the prettiest eyes he’d ever seen. He had to remind himself that he had a boyfriend who he loved (and that Stan had a girlfriend whose Christian family he was trying to impress) as he extended his hand. “Edward Kaspbrak. I guess you’ll be teaching me about Hanukkah. I hope you’re a good teacher.” He said, flashing the other man a smile. He only had eight days to become an expert, after all. His father had said they probably didn’t actually expect it, but Eddie liked to exceed expectations.

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stanbyme
2019-12-15 05:14 pm UTC (link)

It wasn't exactly a shock that Eddie admitted he didn't know anything about Hanukkah, that was the way things were these days, everyone was inundated by Christmas and no one gave a second thought to Hanukkah even though it was longer and more interesting, at least in Stan's opinion. "Well I could use some help with some of the finer points about Christmas." He allowed, he knew plenty of course, he'd even been forced to sit through some Christmas movies in his time, but he'd never actually done the whole Christmas thing himself, the tree and the cookies and .... well whatever else went into making the perfect Christmas. And he needed this Christmas to be perfect.

"Wait did you say fruitcake? People actually eat that?" He made a face, as far as he knew that was the sort of thing that people gave as a gag, it was supposed to be hard and dry and nearly inedible - at least that's what the movies had made it seem like. But something about the way Eddie said it made him think that maybe that wasn't actually the case. Maybe he didn't know anything about Christmas after all.

"Uh well yeah, there are candles." He agreed, he really was going to have to start from scratch here wasn't he? "It's called The Festival of Lights, it's to celebrate a miracle of the past, when the Maccabees were under attack by the Syrians, they couldn't get out because they were surrounded by the Syrian army and the menorah in the temple only had enough oil to burn for one night, but because of their faith it lasted for eight nights. And so we celebrate for eight nights, instead of just the one for Christmas." He said with a small teasing sort of grin.

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ekaspbrak
2019-12-16 06:01 am UTC (link)

Eddie gave him a look at the question. "Of course they do. It's delicious." He said before making a face. "But only if you know where to get it from." He understood the confusion. Christmas movies seemed to love to poke fun at fruitcake. It always wound up being the desert no one wanted to eat. The gift that was terrible. Eddie would argue that the person writing these movies had just had the wrong experience with the treat. This was going to be Stan's first experience with it. Eddie didn't want him scarred for life after coming across some bad, prepackaged fruitcake. Not only would it put Stan off the stuff but he would probably strike out with his girlfriend's family.

All thought of fruitcake and the other things he could teach Stan left him as the other man began to explain a little of the history of Hanukkah to him. It was actually pretty interesting and Eddie found himself hanging on Stan's words, giving this his full attention. "It makes sense now." He'd wondered about the whole eight nights thing. It had seemed a little long for a celebration. If Stan hadn't already explained it he probably would've asked about it later. Now he didn't have to. "Okay, so, what do I need?" He asked. He probably should've asked if Stan had the time to teach him but Samantha had assured him that school had already let out for their holiday break.

"The, uh, client I'm attempting to impress has already decided to sign me up to lead a few activities." He explained. "So I need a little practical knowledge. I need to know how to participate." He'd have to know how to light the menorah, what to say, and in what order. He had to learn about foods and how to prepare them. He'd probably need to buy a few things but he hadn't thought that far ahead. He wasn't even sure where you got these things from. If they focused on Hanukkah, they could switch gears tomorrow and Eddie could teach Stan a little about Christmas. Maybe they'd make a day of it and he could take him to the little Christmas market that popped up every year. Finding the perfect tree would have to wait until the weekend.

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stanbyme
2019-12-17 02:33 am UTC (link)

Stan cast a doubtful look at Eddie when he assured him that fruitcake not only was something that people actually ate but that it was also delicious. "I don't know, none of the movies seem to make it seem any kind of good," He pointed out. "In fact I think it's the sort of thing people talk about breaking a tooth on." He reminded him, the last thing he wanted was his Christmas advice to end up being something that would get him in trouble with his maybe one day in-laws. And fruitcake? That sounded like the sort of thing that was going to get him in trouble.

Hanukkah wasn't the biggest of the Jewish holidays but since it came around at the same time as Christmas more often than not it tended to have the same sort of feel to it for most people. But Stan liked the traditions of it all, the family gatherings and the food, and he even liked the prayers. There was something comforting about it, familiar since childhood that he always looked forward to.

He'd been getting ready to ask what Eddie meant about needing something, but then he explained a little further, he'd need to participate, not just have a general understanding of the holiday itself. "Well - I guess we could get you some of the small little things, at least so you understand it." He decided. "I know a place." He assured him. "We can pick up some things for you to work with and to help give me something to show you as I explain some of the finer points." He told him, which of course meant a trip to his mother's shop. Stan just prayed that she wasn't going to butt in too much as he tried to find what Eddie would need most.

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ekaspbrak
2019-12-17 04:23 am UTC (link)

The look he gave Stan was incredulous but, somehow, still fond. "How do you know you won't like something if you've never experienced it for yourself?" He challenged. "You can't believe everything you see in the movies." But, sadly, he did know what the other man was talking about. The holiday staple had received more than its fair share of bad publicity. Too many movies portrayed it as some sort of dry, occasionally hard, inedible substance. "Just let me show you how good it can be." He said, smile softening as he caught the other man's eyes. "If you don't like it you don't have to commit to it. I'm just asking for a chance. For the fruitcake." Obviously.

If he had had all of the facts (or even thought to ask about David) he and Stan wouldn't be in this position. He could just attend the party and participate as much as whoever else was there. He wouldn't have to worry about leading any of the events. He could absorb the traditions from a distance but he probably wouldn't understand it the same way. He certainly wouldn't gain the same appreciation for it that he stood to gain with Stan taking him by the hand and sharing what made this holiday and the traditions so important. To him. To his people.

"Of course you do." Eddie teased when Stan said he knew a place. "Lead the way." He followed the other man out of the coffee shop and onto the street, falling into step beside him. He wasn't sure where they were going but it seemed to be within walking distance while still being far enough to go over a few words, a few pronunciations of things that Eddie had looked up but couldn't quite get. He probably seemed like a hopeless case but he was trying. He really was. Stan could be the seemingly hopeless one tomorrow. The pair eventually arrived at a little shop that Eddie had never seen before in spite of spending most of his time wandering around the downtown area. "What is this place?" He asked, honestly charmed and a little amazed as they stepped through the doors. Everything in the shop caught his interest a little but his attention was immediately drawn to a display of books. They were written in a language he couldn't read, didn't recognize, but found beautiful just the same. He picked one up and opened it, admiring what he saw.

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stanbyme
2019-12-18 05:04 am UTC (link)

He was still doubtful about the fruitcake, but he could hardly say no when Eddie was asking him to give it a chance like that, with that soft and kind of charming smile, and the teasing way he asked it for the fruitcake, as if he might be doing it a favor. "I'll try and keep an open mind." He allowed, but he would need a little convincing. Eddie at least seemed to believe what he was saying so that was a step in the right direction as far as he was concerned.

The shop was quiet when they stepped in, it hadn't been too far from the coffee shop thankfully, so he didn't feel too bad about making Eddie walk it, and it gave him the chance to work with him just a little bit as they walked. Eddie was still a complete goy, but he wasn't completely hopeless. And at least it seemed like Eddie was doing his best to try and actually get this down.

"This is the best place in town to get anything and everything you might need for celebrating the holy days." He said without actually mentioning his mother's involvement in the shop, as they stepped in it had been quiet so he didn't let himself worry too much just yet. Instead he lead Eddie to the display of menorahs. "So I'm not sure you'll actually need to get a menorah for yourself," There were lots of things like that, things that were important to the holiday but he didn't think Eddie actually needed most of it, he wasn't converting after all. "But what I think you'll enjoy is this."

He nodded toward the back of the shop where they kept the dreidels and the gelt. "When I was a kid we used to spin the dreidels just for fun, to see how long you could make it spin, how fast, things like that. But it's actually used in gambling," He explained showing off each side of the dreidel he'd selected.

Okay maybe this was all a little much, but Stan really did like Hanukkah, and he liked having the chance to talk about it and show off a little bit to someone like Eddie who just seemed so earnest and eager to learn, and he was pretty easy on the eyes too.

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ekaspbrak
2019-12-19 07:21 pm UTC (link)

By the time Eddie was done with him Stan was going to love fruitcake and everything Christmas. It would, rightfully, never take the top spot of seasonal holiday in his heart but that wasn't what Eddie was going for. He was just here to help Stan impress his girlfriend's family. If the other man gained a newfound love and appreciation for a holiday that wasn't his own then all the better. It could only help in the long run if Stan wound up married to this woman and they had to figure out how to incorporate both Christmas and Hanukkah into their lives.

"Is it important to the celebration of Hanukkah?" He asked because that sort of thing actually did sound important. Maybe he wasn't actually converting. Maybe he wouldn't need a menorah ever again but if he wanted to appreciate Hanukkah, really appreciate it, he should try to keep with the traditions. He should take the time every night to light the candles and pray. He should think of what it would've been like to grow up with these traditions and what it meant. Who knew? Maybe he'd grow to love Hanukkah just as much as he loved Christmas.

He still allowed Stan to lead him away and back towards the dreidels and gelt. It seemed obvious that Stan loved his traditions and found childhood memories of this season as much as Eddie loved his own. It was nice to see. The man he'd been dating since moving to the City didn't really care for the Holidays. Which was weird. The two of them probably should've have worked out together all things considered but Eddie thought he loved the guy. Anyway, things would change whenever they married and adopted children. His boyfriend would become his husband and gain a new respect for what they had and the traditions they'd be passing along.

He mentioned none of that at the moment. He and Stan hardly knew each other. It wasn't the time to get into anything more personal than what they were already discussing. He opened his mouth to ask for an explanation when a sound from the nearby staircase caught his attention. He turned to watch as an older woman came down into the store to greet them, smiling widely at Stan.

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stanbyme
2019-12-27 07:56 pm UTC (link)

"You know how most everyone who celebrates Christmas has the Christmas tree?" Stan suggested looking for something to compare the menorah to. "It's sort of like that for Hanukkah. Every night we light another candle of the menorah and we say a prayer until we've lit all eight candles." He explained a little bit more about it, it was easy to get caught up this time of year in the whole sort of idea of needing to buy gifts and plans and things like that, he liked that each night of Hanukkah started with a prayer, something to center them and remind them why they were there in the first place.

"Even when I was a kid I always loved watching the menorah get lit," He told Eddie, in a moment of further honesty, it was probably more than Eddie really needed to know, he was just trying to get down the basics after all. It wasn't like he was going to really celebrate Hanukkah after all. "My whole family would gather around the table while my grandfather would lead the prayers as the candles were lit." It was one of those special memories to him, along with so many others that came along with this particular holiday.

The gelt and dreidels though, those were more fun and more easily understood by the goy of the world, like Eddie.

He just hoped he wouldn't lose some of the wonder and love of this season after he got married, if that was even going to be an option after all of this. He respected a love of Christmas, it just had never been his holiday and he didn't want to lose his own traditions by finding himself in a family that only wanted to celebrate Christmas. Of course just as those traitorous thoughts came into his head who should come down the stairs but his mother. "Oh Stanley," She smiled warmly at him her arms out stretched as she approached him and then wrapped him up in a tight embrace.

"Hello mother," He greeted her, hugging her as well even if not quite as tightly. "I was just showing my -" He paused not sure how he should describe Eddie, "my friend, Eddie around, he's trying to learn about Hanukkah this year." He explained.

"Oh," His mother turned to take in Eddie where he still stood by the dreidels, "And you didn't think to ask for my help, Stanley?" She tutted, it wasn't really a question of course, her attention was entirely on Eddie now. "And what is it that you hope to learn young man, has my Stanley taught you anything yet?"

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