Sheila's Dribs 'n Drabs

In the morning he barked at the milkman, postman and kids from down the street. He should’ve been kinder to the mailman though, ‘cause the parcels smelled savory and sweet. At lunchtime he barked in the kitchen but no one there had time for him. They gave him an ancient biscuit from the end of the pack. In the afternoon he barked at the cat and the squirrels and the birds. In the evening he barked at the tree. They said “Don’t touch,” and went to bed. And at night-time he waited silently by the fireplace for Santa to arrive.

Really early on Christmas morning, or late on Christmas night, Tom and Alice drained the sherry glass, ate the last lonely pie, and watched the carrot-shavings softly curling by the fire. “Think she’s asleep?” “Let’s see.” Tom’s red dressing gown was tied with a sash that matched the hat on his head. Santa-style, he smiled. “Check the sack,” whispered Alice as they reached their daughter’s door, so he crawled to the cot. “I'm invisible, see?” But infant voice squealed out with infant glee, “Nice doggy!” and father scrambled away. “She thinks I’m a dog?” he asked. Alice patted his head.

Mom was shopping for jeans for Tom. He thought his holey ones were fine; she disagreed. Jen thought see-through blouses would be perfect Christmas attire. Mom disagreed. Michael tipped his juice on the floor and smiled. Mom sighed again. Sometime around then Jen realized Mom was doing a lot of disagreeing. But they stood in line for Santa discussing gifts. “Wouldn’t it be cool...?” “If only…” “Please…” with Mom still tired and sad. “I wish our Dad could come home for Christmas,” said Tom and Jen together. Michael said “Da.” And Mom? She most heartily agreed. Then her cell-phone rang.

The first year wasn’t so bad; just a touch of black powder in the chimney, sides nice and clear; a good solid roof. The soot got thicker with the years, of course, and one time a bird’s nest tangled in his beard. Still, it was all part of the job. Even the night they forgot to put out the fire wasn’t really a problem; he just asked the reindeer to do a little judicial watering. Then they took the fireplaces out. He had to carry his sack through the front door, and left a trail of muddy footprints; Santa’s revenge.

Peppy the puppy liked playing under trees with his friends Peter and Pamela. So when Daddy brought a tree into the house, Peppy wanted to play there too. But Peter said “No.” When Mommy put ornaments on the tree, Peppy wanted to play with them, but Pamela said “No.” And when a man in a red suit put presents under the tree, Peppy wanted to open them, but “No,” said the man. Next day was Christmas. Peter and Pamela opened a parcel with a bright red wagon inside. Peppy climbed in to play and, this time, they all said “Yes.”