A GIFT
So, my boy, tell mehow was your day? asked Dad, David, as he hoisted five-year-old William onto the sofa beside him, ruffling the lads wispy fair hair. Mum, Charlotte, was busy in the kitchenin a haze of roasting chicken and steamwhile Dad chatted with his beloved and, for now, only son. The living room was warm and snug; in pride of place, between the humming television and the bookcase, a short but outrageously festive Christmas tree shimmered with blinking rainbow lights. Just twenty-four hours remained until New Years Eve.
Im doing alright! declared the heir. But my friend Harry isnt.
Whats the matter with him, your friend? asked David. Is that Harry from the next block?”
Thats him, nodded William.
At the nursery Christmas party today, he didnt get a present, chimed Charlotte, popping in from the kitchen, enveloped in delicious scents. Poor boy. Now, wash your hands, chapssuppers ready!
What do you mean, didnt get one? exclaimed David, standing up. They gave presents to all the childrenjust not to Harry? Something’s wrong there.
Yes, everyone got theirs but not Harry, William confirmed, sliding off the sofa after Dad. Mrs. Frost and Santa handed out all the gifts, but not to him. He waited and waited.
Who are these Mrs. Frost and Santa that they left a child out? David bristled, dragging a chair close and sitting at the table.
Its not their fault, Charlotte shrugged. Most likely Harrys mum either forgot to pay her bit for the presentor didnt have the money. You know how it is. William, did you wash your hands?
He did. We washed up together, Dad replied, carving the golden chicken and serving it. Suppose, then, no money came in for his present. But what about the nursery managerwhats her name, Mrs. Rose? How could Mrs. Rose let the poor boy go without a gift right in front of everyone, just because Santa decided not to give him one?
Mrs. Rose was Mrs. Frost, William announced. And Santa is our caretaker.
Thats even worse! David could not calm down. Surely, they couldve found one extra present for that poor lad! The parents could settle up later. Its pure callousness, that is.
Turns out, they couldnt, sighed Charlotte. If Id been them, I’d have figured something out for him.
And Harrys own parents? Why did they let him go without? David pressed. I just dont get it By the way, son
David turned to William, who was gnawing happily on a drumstick.
I hope you shared your present with your friend?
William gave Dad a reproachful look. I tried, Dad. Me and Tom, Katie, Archie, and a couple more. But Harry wouldnt take anyones.
Such pride! David said, surprised. Did he at least not cry?
I dont know Didnt see, William answered honestly.
What a boy! David admired again. He didnt deserve such treatment.
Yes, I do feel sorry for Harry, said Charlotte sympathetically. Imagine how hurt he must be.
Lets right this wrong! David suddenly announced, determination flushing his cheeks and making his eyes sparkle.
How? Charlotte asked, dabbing her lips. William looked up questioningly.
Simple! said David with a secretive smile. Do you know what flat Harry lives in? William?
Nope, the boy shook his head. Never been round. We mostly play here or at nursery.
I could find out, Charlotte hesitated. My friend Eleanor knows nearly everyone here. I can call her. But why?
Just ring her. Pleaseright now.
Alright. Charlotte agreed. But you two clear the table and do the dishes!
Theyre in number thirty-five, surname Smithers, Charlotte reported a few minutes later. Mums Victoria. No dadwell, he used to be around but left, or perhaps she sent him away, for good reason I expect. So its just mum and son.
How do you know all that? David chuckled.
Eleanors called Eleanor for a reasonshe knows everything about everyone! Charlotte smiled. Shes on the resident committee, all the info comes through her.
Well, thats that, David mused. William, have you finished your present?
Not yet, William sighed. Mum says too many sweets are bad.
Shes right, Dad nodded approvingly. So youve still got the gift bag?
Yep, William said. I opened it carefully.
Thats good, Dad ruffled Williams tuft again. Could you tip the leftover sweets into another bag and give me your gift bag?
Why? William asked suspiciously, but went to his room and came back with a bright gift bag, noticeably lighter. He emptied it out on the tablesweets and biscuits rolled everywhere.
Mum, watching all this, finally spoke up. So you two chaps want to cheer Harry up with a present? When, and whos delivering it?
Better do it tonight! said David. What do you reckon, William?
Lets go tonight! Ill put in some of my sweets for him? Willys eyes sparkled.
If you dont mind, of course, Dad smiled.
Are we going together? William asked, packing sweets back into the bag.
But you already tried offering him treats today and he wouldnt take them, Dad reasoned. Hes clearly proud. Lets do it differently
Dad left the room and, within minutes, returned as Santa! The real dealwhite boots, a bright red coat trimmed with snowy fur and swirling decorations, hat, massive white beard, staff, and a big red sack dotted with embroidered golden stars. Though, the sack was empty.
William gaped at him, then asked: Dad, was that you as Santa last year? And the year before?
That was me, David confessed. Sorry for not telling you sooner. Sooner or later youd find out. It started years agothey asked me at work to play Santa, and I said yes. It was a hit, so here I am, three years running, Santaing for family and friends. Did you like last years Santa?
Loads! William praised Dad. Im glad weve got our own Santa now!
He hugged Dads legs tight.
Charlotte added more sweets to the swelling gift bag, tied it with a glowing ribbon, and David tucked it into his sack.
He straightened his beard. So, shall I go cheer up Harry?
Yes! Mum and William said together.
William asked: Can I come too, Dad?
As Mrs. Frost? joked Dad.
As a bunny! William shouted gleefully, sprinting off. He returned in his sparkling Bunny suit from todays nursery partycrisp white onesie, boldly perked ears, pompom tail, and a cardboard mask with whiskers drawn under his button nose.
Alright, lets go. Hopefully Harry wont recognise you like this, Dad chuckled. But put on your coatthe gardens not warm, Bunny boy!
Together, father and son headed out. Charlotte struggled not to laugh at the strange sightSanta striding beside a little bunny in a winter coat, bobbing long ears, trailing the big red sack Dad had entrusted him to carry.
Ten minutes later, David returned alone, looking sheepish.
Wheres William? Charlotte worried.
Dont fret, hes finehe stayed with Harry, theyre playing. Ill pick him up in half an hour, David said, wiping his red, sweaty face with his fluffy beard.
Still dressed as Santa, David slumped on the sofa. Well! What a palaver!
He explained to Charlotte what had happened. Turns out, that evening, he and William were the sixth pair to bring Harry a Christmas present! Likely not the last. Before them, the nursery manager, Mrs. Rose herself, had just leftnot dressed as Mrs. Frost.
Oh, the apologies she offered to Harry and his mum, when she left! David recounted, stripping off the robe and beard. Imaginesomeone filmed the party and it went viral online, on our town portal. Thousands saw it in hours, with all sorts of comments!
Really? Charlotte marvelled. Must watch it.
But thats not the main thing, said David. Harrys mum paid her money for the present, just a bit late
The mums part-responsible, to be fair, Charlotte cut in. But she’s on her own, moneys tight. The nursery should’ve managed a solution for Harry.”
And instead, David continued, the nursery leaders just struck her son from the present list, no fuss. So the poor boy was left out.
Oh, if I ran that place! Charlotte sighed. Mrs. Rose ought to be sacked for such hardheartedness.
Maybe she will, David agreed. Or learns her lesson. But those working with children shouldnt behave that way, ever.
He paused, absently rubbing his chin. Then looked up. Oh, and another thingHarrys dad turned up, too! With presents, tearfully asking forgiveness
Really? Charlotte was delighted.
Just then, the doorbell rang. Charlotte opened itWilliam had come home.
Why did you come back alone? gasped David. We agreed Id fetch you
Im not a baby! William protested. Besides, I was bored.
How come? Dad asked.
Well, Harrys mum and dad were arguing, then sobbing. Me and Harry went to the kitchen, and theyd made up and were hugging. When Harry joined them, they all hugged and cried together. Weird lot! Didnt even see me leave
David and Charlotte exchanged relieved glances and laughed.
Alright, my dears, lets have some tea! said Charlotte. And then, if anyones still awake, well welcome the New Yearits nearly here. Lets hope its happy for everyone!
Lets! William agreed, full of generosity.
