The Secret Santa

By R. L. Keller

 

(If you haven’t read my “Chloe”, this won’t make any sense whatsoever J  RLK)

 

Twas two nights before Christmas, and he had several very special presents to deliver.  He’d spent an hour that afternoon carefully selecting what was inside, then took them home and wrapped them as festively as his sometimes-meager creativity could manage.  He’d never done anything like this before.  In fact, he wasn’t totally sure why he was doing it now except that, once the idea had invaded his brain a few days previously it wouldn’t let go, and kept bringing a bigger and brighter smile to his face the more he thought about it.  Pouring himself a glass of Christmas cheer, he placed the four packages into a sack and waited until almost 2330 hours before heading out on his delivery route down the beach.

 

He didn’t have far to go.  At the very next house to his own he quietly made his way up to the front door and pulled out one of his carefully wrapped packages.  It was addressed, “Merry Christmas.  May your feeders always be full.  From Santa.”  In the box were birdseed, suet, and some green grasses that the pet store person said that the birds the homeowner fed in the back yard would love.  He grinned happily as he left the box where it would easily be found in the morning.

 

The box he left at the next house held a squeaky toy, jerky treats, and a small rawhide chewy.  This label read, “Merry Christmas, Sparky.  May your tail never have a reason to stop wagging.  Santa.”  This package was for the small red and white Papillon that lived in the house, and always presented a happy attitude to the world.

 

His smile grew even brighter as he made his way up the front deck steps of the next house in the row to leave his package.  This one said, “Merry Christmas, Chloe.  I cherish your occasional visits.  Santa.”  Inside were a catnip mouse, cat treats, and two small lattice balls with bells inside, for the calico cat that lived there.  He wasn’t home all that often but when he was, the cat would usually show up on his deck for at least a few minutes in the evening.  He greatly enjoyed the moments he shared with her.

 

His last package took a little extra care to deliver, three houses from the last.  The Welsh Terrier that lived here had ears like Seaview’s sonar system – almost nothing got past the little guy.  But he got lucky and all stayed quiet inside the house as he left the package.  “Merry Christmas, Owen.  May you always keep your home free from unwanted intruders.  Santa.”  Inside were another squeaky toy, jerky treats, and small rawhide chewy.

 

As he made his way back down the beach to his own home, his grin increased.  Everyone deserved a special Christmas gift.