Winter Season

Santa

Saturday arrived and it was party time. Oscar was a little more than nervous. This was the first time he had actually been to a public function in his home town with a date. He jumped when his doorbell rang. Upon opening the door, Esther smiled and tossed him her keys. “Shall we Mr. Patterson?” There was that wiggle again.

When they pulled into the parking lot, who were the first people they saw? Otis and Priscilla.

She rubbed his knee. “You’re with me and we’re gonna have a ball.”

“You think?” He scoffed.

“No,” she smiled. “I know.”

As they walked into the high school gym, his brother had already started making a scene. “Naw, hell naw.” Otis was shouting at a little girl behind a counter.

This little teen age girl seemed relieved that someone else had walked in. From the expression on her face, she didn’t care who it was. “Mr. Patterson, how are you tonight?”

“Good Emily.”

“Would you like to check your coat sir?”

“Two please.” He took Esther’s coat. It was the first time he had gotten to see what she was wearing; an absolutely amazing green dress with red heels and jewelry. She was breath taking.

Oscar forgot where he was and was staring at Esther. “Mr. Patterson,” Emily called to him. He remembered where he was and gave Emily Esther’s coat, then his.

Otis was watching him and hooted at him. “Fan-see, ain’t it.”

“Thank you Mr. Patterson.” Emily smiled.

Esther ignored him.

Oscar smiled at his brother, “the cheerleaders are raising money. I prefer this over a bake sale.”

“I thought this was fur char-I-dee?”

“It is.” Oscar pointed to the wall behind Otis where Pricilla was standing. The wall was lined with coats of every shape, size, and color. “You can leave your coat along the wall.”

Emily smiled again. Oscar and Esther walked off.

The gym had been turned into Christmas Valley.

“Wow!” She giggled. “This is amazing. It’s like being lost in Christmas. I am so thrilled that egos could be overcome to make this night happen.”

Santa was sitting in the corner taking pictures with the children. People were running around dressed like elves. There were stockings hanging all over the place. A light dusting of fake snow was on the floor. Pine trees of all shapes and sizes were in every corner. A life size sleigh and reindeers had been made. Lights had been hung across the ceiling to look like stars. In the middle of the gym floor was a nativity. And over it in the man-made sky was the Christmas Star. “Wow.” She sighed again.

Oscar couldn’t help but smile at her wonderment. She seemed like a little kid lost in Christmas. But wasn’t that what this was all about; forgetting the sorrow of the day, and living in the moment of Christmas. He felt her squeeze his arm. But when he looked, she had both her arms wrapped around his.

“Esther?” Big tears were rolling down her face. “Esther, honey what’s wrong?”

“This is amazing.”

They sat with Chet and Bell in the corner of the room where they had a good view of everyone.

Esther stood, “come with me sir.” She extended her hand to Oscar.

“Where we goin’?”

“To have our picture made with Santa.” She giggled. They started a trend. Up until this point, it had only been children and teens who still liked Santa taking their picture with him. They were the first adults.

Santa laughed, “what do you want for Christmas little girl?”

She smiled a great big smile as she looked at Oscar. Then Santa looked at Oscar. He was grinning from ear to ear. “I’m good Santa.”

Santa laughed again, “and what about you little boy?”

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t wipe the smile from his lips. “Me too.”

Bell and Chet were right behind them.

Winter Season