“Twas the day after Thanksgiving, the
house held no peace
I regretted Black Friday spending,
to the delight of my niece;
Cassie danced around the tree,
decorating without a care;
While I rummaged through ornament
boxes, trying not to swear;
“One of these years,” I promised
her there, “I will write it all down.”
Finding my prize, I passed to her,
where she set the star on the tree’s crown.
The tree all decorated, and the
lights outside glowing;
We settled in to watch Charlie
Brown as it started snowing.
When from down the hall there
arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the couch to see
what was the matter.
Cautiously down the hall, I wasn’t
going to do anything rash,
I peered in my bedroom closet,
where I hid my Christmas stash.
High on the shelf a box shuddered
and rocked
My wondering eyes did stare, for I
was quite shocked.
Down it jumped, losing its lid, a cap
inside, a letter tucked in the band.
I sighed and remembered I had
agreed to the elf’s demands.
“Happy Thanksgiving!” the letter
began, “Your dinner was good?”
“Keep the turkey, but send me a
slice of pie, if you would?”
I knew from the humor, it must be
St. Nick.
I skimmed down a bit, hoping to
cut to the quick.
“The season is upon us now; your
parole is quite over.
You have a job to do, no time for
eating leftovers.
With the cap on your head, Santa’s
Helper you’ll be.”
I paused in my reading, sighing
loudly, “Why me?”
“Because, Matt, for many years,
you’ve been quite nice.
Now you can help the naughty avoid
choosing vice.
You can start with someone, who
has been very naughty,
Your vampire friend, is she always
so haughty?”
“Oh, is that all?” I said with great
sass.
I’d forgotten that Nick could be
such an —
“Uncle Matt, are you okay?” said
Cassie from the door.
“I’m fine, just something I can no
longer ignore.
I’ll be out in a minute would you
get us some cocoa?”
I went back to the letter, wishing
I could veto.
“Unlike the Grinch, whose heart
was too small;
He needed only to hear the song’s
call.
Not so with the lady, for her
heart went dark;
Centuries of anger and strife left
their mark.
But in recent years, thanks to
you, now a glow
Of the warm girl I remember begins
to show.”
Caution! Warning! This is not a
game to be played!”
The force of these words made me
quite afraid.
“Beware the temptation to tally
the score.
For deeds from the heart are never
a chore.
For Nice to surpass Naughty is
never the goal;
Only that the holiday spirit adds
light to the soul.”
There’d be no weighing of souls,
no trial;
She would just have to make
someone smile
With the holiday joy that all
delighted to feel.
The purpose of Christmas was
simply to heal.
“Now put on the hat! ’Tis the
season to be of good cheer!
For your bonus, I’ll see you
before the New Year.”
Out on the porch, Cassie sipped cocoa
as the snow fell.
I smiled and hugged her, saying,
“All is well.
I’ve a new case, to make this
Christmas season merry and bright!”
“Keep it down!” yelled my
neighbor, “It’s the middle of the night!”