One in the morning.

I’d kept myself awake by watching old movies on TV, wearing headphones so that the house would be silent (except for Marjorie’s snoring in the master bedroom.)

Time to go. I got my Santa suit out of the locked trunk and shrugged into it, squeezed into my rubber boots, pulled the wire loops of the shaggy white beard over my ears and stuck the white tasselled red hat over my head, A quick check in the mirror and I was satisfied with my effort. ‘You never know, one might be awake,’ I thought.

I pulled the sackful of goodies from the trunk and, as much as possible, tiptoed upstairs to the first bedroom. I’d been round all the doors a couple of days previously and had oiled the hinges. No disastrous loud squeaks, you see.

I pushed it open silently. Alice, my four-year-old, was in deep slumber.

I’d arranged all the presents in the sack so that Alice’s were at the top with the others in order of the recipients. Nothing if not a well-planned operation, this!

I placed her gaudy packages at the foot of the bed before slipping sweets and little gifts into the stocking that hung from the bedpost.

Fraser was next, in the adjoining bedroom, ten years of age and snoring like a champion. His was the bulkiest present in the sack and I swore silently as it got stuck in the canvas. After a sweaty 30 seconds, during which Fraser snorted and turned over and I froze, the package freed itself and I put it on the floor next to his bed head, so that it would be the first thing he saw when he got up.

I slipped out silently. The twins were next, sharing a bedroom, seven-year-old Michael and Morris, two incorrigible bundles of mischief, seemingly determined to whiten my hair and wrinkle my brow prematurely.

I listened carefully at the door before opening it silently and cautiously and stepping into the room.

Suddenly the light clicked on, and two happy voices shouted in unison.

“Hello Dad!”

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Voice-Team
Voice-Team(@voice-team)
Admin
4 months ago

Such a good father to try so hard! The readers silently accompany him through the house, pleased with his hushed progress from room to room, then equally surprised by the final, “Hello, Dad!” Smiles all around.

Reagan Towers
Reagan Towers(@reagan-towers)
5 months ago

This story is so relatable  ?  I thoroughly enjoyed reading it!

Carrie OLeary
Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
5 months ago

This story is so much fun Allan, the ending is just priceless. Loved it!

Margarida Brei
Margarida Brei(@margarida-brei)
5 months ago

A sweet read, Allan. I loved the humorous description of the twins as, “two incorrigible bundles of mischief, seemingly determined to whiten my hair and wrinkle my brow prematurely.”
Sometimes, it is necessary just to write for pure fun.

Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
5 months ago

It was a fun read, Allan. I really loved it. 

Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
Reply to  Allan Neil
4 months ago

You’re always welcome, Allan. The festive Season is not merry. The province of Misamis Occidental, my province, suffered from severe flooding. There are many people died, animals died, and many properties were destroyed. 

Margarida Brei
Margarida Brei(@margarida-brei)
Reply to  Lotchie Carmelo
4 months ago

Lotchie, it breaks my heart to hear of your misfortunes. So sorry that your province in the Philippines suffered so greatly. Wish I could offer you my home, meals and friendship.
You must be a strong resilient female to continue using Voice.Club when there is so much destruction.
Keep your chin up, Lotchie. I sincerely hope that 2023 will be a better and lovelier year for you,

Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
Reply to  Margarida Brei
4 months ago

Thank you so much, Margarida. I do hope too that 2023 will be a better and lovelier year for us. I really appreciate your comments and good wishes for me and my family.

Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
Reply to  Allan Neil
4 months ago

Thank you so much, Allan. God also be with you always. Take care.

Linda Rock
Linda Rock(@linda-rock)
4 months ago

This is such fun, Allan! A well planned mission, right up to the very last detail… absolutely foiled by two little rascals! I loved it!

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