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- Story Listed as: Fiction For Adults
- Theme: Fairy Tales & Fantasy
- Subject: Aging / Maturity
- Published: 12/09/2017
My Night With Santa
Born 1954, M, from St Louis Mo, United StatesThere is too....is not......is too.......is not moron! Mom, Donny called me a moron. Mom replied from the kitchen, he is probably right, now both of you just shut up. I yelled one last blow, IS TOO.
As I went to my room, well it was our garage, but since we had so many people living with us, it had become my room. As Dad would say, out of sight, out of mind. I was still more then a little angry at my older brother Donny. Just because he is three years older does not mean he knows every thing.
I kicked the snow off my shoes and though the garage was not warm it was warmer then outside. It was December 24th and Donny and I had taken all of our cash we had earned selling the glorious St Louis Post Dispatch out of our bank. We had spent the day up on Grand Ave at Woolworth's and Sears buying Christmas gifts.
All we had was about 12$ but we managed to buy mom a apron, Dad a cool flashlight, our baby brother Mark two toy cars, Diane our cousin, who was more of a sister, a set of hair barrett's and a small necklace of a star. For each of our cousins staying with us an assortment of Cowboys on horses and the girls little dolls, our uncle Roy a screwdriver and Aunt Virginia a sewing kit. We still managed to have enough to stop at Jeans Dinner for a burger each and a Coke, and that was our last dollar.
Yet we were both excited, to see the smiles tomorrow made every day we stood in the cold, tried to warm our hands and feet at a five gallon bucket with a nice fire, worth it. Of course as our paper stand was right by Sydney Standard Gas station on the corner of Morgan Ford and Arsenal, the police would come by and make us put it out, ten minutes later it was going again. Eight inches of snow and slush, temperatures at near zero, our old worn coats and so thin we had to wear a sweater under them. But this one day of the year made it worth it.
If Christmas was a joy, our day of shopping on Grand was almost as good. The sound of Christmas songs playing. The crowds looking to buy goodies, the smell of nuts and cinnamon being roasted. Little kids being dragged behind parents and yet smiles everywhere. Even at Jeans dinner the delight of the packed dinner and people talking. The seeing Santa at Sears, all of this made for a wonderful time in my life.
Until on the way home, walking the nearly four mile walk, the bitter cold wind blowing snow in our faces. Donny, that know it all, started it all. What was he trying to do start a fight. He was bigger but I wasn't afraid. He said again, dummy, there is no real Santa Clause, I dropped my bag of goods on the snow packed side walk and tackled him like a line backer on a football field.
Down he went, but soon was on top of me, my glasses off in the snow and him rubbing a snow in my face. Somebody stopped in a old car, yelled, boys it's almost Christmas, this is not a time for fighting, but rejoicing, Jesus was born tomorrow and he was a man of peace. We stopped feeling ashamed, said we were sorry hugged each other and picked up our bags and started walking. The fight at least made us sweat and we opened our coats to cool off.
Once home and everything wrapped, as we put the gifts under the tree, he started on me again. Mom always took his side, so it seemed to me. I sit on my bed sulking, tonight I will prove he is the moron, I don't care if I am only ten, I know Santa is real.
Mom yelled to me from the kitchen window one in and eat. Oh my I could not wait for tomorrow when there would turkey and pies, I will show Donny I will get the first and biggest piece of cherry pie, that will teach him, I thought. Tonight was meatloaf, thank God for fried potatoes because I was learning to hate meatloaf.
When the food was gone as us boys washed dishes we had a soap suds fight and played as if we owned Jeans Dinner. We laughed and played and the fight was if it never was.
Then we gathered in front of the old black and white TV to watch Yoga Bears Christmas, Then a Flintstones Christmas and then the high light, It's a Wonderful Life. As I headed for the garage and my bed I was so tired I had forgotten to night I would prove there was a Santa.
Covered in my heavy quilt, warm and sound asleep I heard a noise. I pulled my eyes open, and looked out the window. There it was right in our back yard. The big red slid and a bunch of rain deer. I saw Santa and two little guys grab some bags, touch their noise and right through the wall of our neighbors house, the Dallas, they went.
I jumped up, pulled on my pants and shirt, put on my coat and ran to the sled. I saw they were walking back, a big empty green bag laid on the sleds floor, I climbed in the bag. I heard them grab more bags, peaked out as they touched noises and went through our wall.
Before I knew it they were in the slide and I didn't know what to do, we were off, block after block we stopped, on driveways, on roofs, in the street, in alleys, soon we were bouncing to the next city. I was getting sick in the bag and the up and down ride.
I poked my head out just as Santa and the two guys had gotten aboard and said, boo. Santa lost his smile, he was not laughing. What are you doing stowing away on my slide Richard. Then he said, shaking his head, I should of guessed you would be the one to pull a trick like this.
Well can't take you home till we are done, so you can just help us. With that he reached in his bag pulled out a bright red coat and a pointed red cap and told me to put them on before I froze to death. Soon we were stopping on the roof of some house deep in the woods. He told me grab the bag that said Julius. It wasn't heavy in fact it felt empty. He told me to touch my noise blink twice. And there I was standing in a dark living room, the wood stove had it nice and warm.
I opened the bag and pulled out a box, hmm said Ricky on it hey that's my name too. Each time I reached in a brightly wrapped gift appeared. As we were about to leave Santa told me to eat a oatmeal cookie that was a on a plate, thank goodness he drank the milk. Ah but the next house the Carters, had hot chocolate and I drank that.
In what seems only a few minutes we were in Alaska, then Russia, and Japan, and China and places I never had heard of. Soon we were splitting up, doing four houses at once. Sometimes tents, sometimes shacks and big houses and fancy and others very poor. I noticed when we got to Israel we didn't go to many homes. Santa said they were Jews and did not believe in Jesus. That he gave gifts in honor of the Christ child like the wise men.
Soon the night was over and I was worn out I slept on the way home. When we landed Santa told me I must not tell of my journey, and he left me with the red cap and was gone. I made it to my bed but soon I heard my door open. It was Donny, get in here there is presents.
I saw the joy of sleepy faces as mom passed out the gifts. I saw dads surprise as we opened some gifts. I knew, he knew they came from Santa because he did not buy them. I smiled when Donny said, is not, I just laughed and said who cares. Felt pride as mom put on the apron, loved dad playing with his flashlight, Mark was going around making car noises. My cousins and aunt and uncle were all smiles.
No one every asked why I was already dressed, or where I got that silly red hat. I think we will just keep it our secret, between you an me.
I forgot to add one other thing, I am a bit embarrassed to share. After the Carters we went to a house, I don't remember the name, that haunts me. But laying on the couch was a beautiful angel, she had flowing blonde hair, and I bent over and kissed her. I was thinking of Prince charming and sleeping beauty, well I was not him, but she was the sleeping beauty. She opened her eyes for a moment, and smiled. I touched my noise and blinked my eyes and was gone. I wonder if now in her old age if she ever wonders, I wonder what she has become, and I wonder her name.
Over the years I have tried many times with my old hat that is falling apart to touch my noise and blink and pass through a wall or roof. I don't know maybe the magic was the coat, or just that day, or a gift to little boy by Santa for just that one night.
As I close, I cannot help but sing. You better watch out, you better not cry, better be good I am telling you why, Santa Clause is coming to town. Yes, Donny, he is too!
My Night With Santa(Rich Puckett)
There is too....is not......is too.......is not moron! Mom, Donny called me a moron. Mom replied from the kitchen, he is probably right, now both of you just shut up. I yelled one last blow, IS TOO.
As I went to my room, well it was our garage, but since we had so many people living with us, it had become my room. As Dad would say, out of sight, out of mind. I was still more then a little angry at my older brother Donny. Just because he is three years older does not mean he knows every thing.
I kicked the snow off my shoes and though the garage was not warm it was warmer then outside. It was December 24th and Donny and I had taken all of our cash we had earned selling the glorious St Louis Post Dispatch out of our bank. We had spent the day up on Grand Ave at Woolworth's and Sears buying Christmas gifts.
All we had was about 12$ but we managed to buy mom a apron, Dad a cool flashlight, our baby brother Mark two toy cars, Diane our cousin, who was more of a sister, a set of hair barrett's and a small necklace of a star. For each of our cousins staying with us an assortment of Cowboys on horses and the girls little dolls, our uncle Roy a screwdriver and Aunt Virginia a sewing kit. We still managed to have enough to stop at Jeans Dinner for a burger each and a Coke, and that was our last dollar.
Yet we were both excited, to see the smiles tomorrow made every day we stood in the cold, tried to warm our hands and feet at a five gallon bucket with a nice fire, worth it. Of course as our paper stand was right by Sydney Standard Gas station on the corner of Morgan Ford and Arsenal, the police would come by and make us put it out, ten minutes later it was going again. Eight inches of snow and slush, temperatures at near zero, our old worn coats and so thin we had to wear a sweater under them. But this one day of the year made it worth it.
If Christmas was a joy, our day of shopping on Grand was almost as good. The sound of Christmas songs playing. The crowds looking to buy goodies, the smell of nuts and cinnamon being roasted. Little kids being dragged behind parents and yet smiles everywhere. Even at Jeans dinner the delight of the packed dinner and people talking. The seeing Santa at Sears, all of this made for a wonderful time in my life.
Until on the way home, walking the nearly four mile walk, the bitter cold wind blowing snow in our faces. Donny, that know it all, started it all. What was he trying to do start a fight. He was bigger but I wasn't afraid. He said again, dummy, there is no real Santa Clause, I dropped my bag of goods on the snow packed side walk and tackled him like a line backer on a football field.
Down he went, but soon was on top of me, my glasses off in the snow and him rubbing a snow in my face. Somebody stopped in a old car, yelled, boys it's almost Christmas, this is not a time for fighting, but rejoicing, Jesus was born tomorrow and he was a man of peace. We stopped feeling ashamed, said we were sorry hugged each other and picked up our bags and started walking. The fight at least made us sweat and we opened our coats to cool off.
Once home and everything wrapped, as we put the gifts under the tree, he started on me again. Mom always took his side, so it seemed to me. I sit on my bed sulking, tonight I will prove he is the moron, I don't care if I am only ten, I know Santa is real.
Mom yelled to me from the kitchen window one in and eat. Oh my I could not wait for tomorrow when there would turkey and pies, I will show Donny I will get the first and biggest piece of cherry pie, that will teach him, I thought. Tonight was meatloaf, thank God for fried potatoes because I was learning to hate meatloaf.
When the food was gone as us boys washed dishes we had a soap suds fight and played as if we owned Jeans Dinner. We laughed and played and the fight was if it never was.
Then we gathered in front of the old black and white TV to watch Yoga Bears Christmas, Then a Flintstones Christmas and then the high light, It's a Wonderful Life. As I headed for the garage and my bed I was so tired I had forgotten to night I would prove there was a Santa.
Covered in my heavy quilt, warm and sound asleep I heard a noise. I pulled my eyes open, and looked out the window. There it was right in our back yard. The big red slid and a bunch of rain deer. I saw Santa and two little guys grab some bags, touch their noise and right through the wall of our neighbors house, the Dallas, they went.
I jumped up, pulled on my pants and shirt, put on my coat and ran to the sled. I saw they were walking back, a big empty green bag laid on the sleds floor, I climbed in the bag. I heard them grab more bags, peaked out as they touched noises and went through our wall.
Before I knew it they were in the slide and I didn't know what to do, we were off, block after block we stopped, on driveways, on roofs, in the street, in alleys, soon we were bouncing to the next city. I was getting sick in the bag and the up and down ride.
I poked my head out just as Santa and the two guys had gotten aboard and said, boo. Santa lost his smile, he was not laughing. What are you doing stowing away on my slide Richard. Then he said, shaking his head, I should of guessed you would be the one to pull a trick like this.
Well can't take you home till we are done, so you can just help us. With that he reached in his bag pulled out a bright red coat and a pointed red cap and told me to put them on before I froze to death. Soon we were stopping on the roof of some house deep in the woods. He told me grab the bag that said Julius. It wasn't heavy in fact it felt empty. He told me to touch my noise blink twice. And there I was standing in a dark living room, the wood stove had it nice and warm.
I opened the bag and pulled out a box, hmm said Ricky on it hey that's my name too. Each time I reached in a brightly wrapped gift appeared. As we were about to leave Santa told me to eat a oatmeal cookie that was a on a plate, thank goodness he drank the milk. Ah but the next house the Carters, had hot chocolate and I drank that.
In what seems only a few minutes we were in Alaska, then Russia, and Japan, and China and places I never had heard of. Soon we were splitting up, doing four houses at once. Sometimes tents, sometimes shacks and big houses and fancy and others very poor. I noticed when we got to Israel we didn't go to many homes. Santa said they were Jews and did not believe in Jesus. That he gave gifts in honor of the Christ child like the wise men.
Soon the night was over and I was worn out I slept on the way home. When we landed Santa told me I must not tell of my journey, and he left me with the red cap and was gone. I made it to my bed but soon I heard my door open. It was Donny, get in here there is presents.
I saw the joy of sleepy faces as mom passed out the gifts. I saw dads surprise as we opened some gifts. I knew, he knew they came from Santa because he did not buy them. I smiled when Donny said, is not, I just laughed and said who cares. Felt pride as mom put on the apron, loved dad playing with his flashlight, Mark was going around making car noises. My cousins and aunt and uncle were all smiles.
No one every asked why I was already dressed, or where I got that silly red hat. I think we will just keep it our secret, between you an me.
I forgot to add one other thing, I am a bit embarrassed to share. After the Carters we went to a house, I don't remember the name, that haunts me. But laying on the couch was a beautiful angel, she had flowing blonde hair, and I bent over and kissed her. I was thinking of Prince charming and sleeping beauty, well I was not him, but she was the sleeping beauty. She opened her eyes for a moment, and smiled. I touched my noise and blinked my eyes and was gone. I wonder if now in her old age if she ever wonders, I wonder what she has become, and I wonder her name.
Over the years I have tried many times with my old hat that is falling apart to touch my noise and blink and pass through a wall or roof. I don't know maybe the magic was the coat, or just that day, or a gift to little boy by Santa for just that one night.
As I close, I cannot help but sing. You better watch out, you better not cry, better be good I am telling you why, Santa Clause is coming to town. Yes, Donny, he is too!
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