06-17-2015, 09:14 AM
Quote:"Daniel -- we don't have time for this." Annie's voice was strained. "And you're making too much noise. Let's just wrap the box before Bobby hears you."
Daniel ignored Ann, and looked over the instructions again. Insert retaining bolt into multi-gear assembly as shown in figure three -- where was the bloody retaining bolt supposed to be? Nothing looked like it...
"Daniel."
"A six year old boy doesn't want to unwrap a box Christmas morning," Daniel half-growled. "He wants to see a bike. Bobby is going to have a bike for Christmas, not a box."
"Santa? Santa!"
Annie suppressed a word you don't say on Christmas Eve, running to intercept the child on the stairs. Daniel jerked and swore, cutting his hand on the gear assembly. He felt a flush-like panic and dropped the bits with a clatter, throwing the box over the half-completed frame and trying to hide it from Bobby with his body.
Outside the window, the watching man slowly smiled. He cuddled a calico cat, stroking its fur gently as he watched the parents desperately trying to preserve Christmas for their son. He looked at the shiny retaining bolt, just barely visible under the easy chair, and kissed the top of the cat's head. "Verrrrry good," he crooned, then turned and walked to the street. "Sleigh bells ring, are you listenin'," he sung under his breath. "While the snow... it is glistenin' -- a beautiful sight, we're happy tonight...." He half smiled, walking across to the Andersons' place -- they had twin girls who'd asked Santa for Dollhouses.
Zactartol
Demon of Some Assembly Required
Balseraph Captain of Repartee