by Bill Rowan
Gonna
find out who’s naughty and nice
Santa
Claus is coming to town.
Ben was a good man. Smart and kind hearted, he was the kind
of man that could make the world a better place. No matter how hard Ben’s life
was he always found time to help others. This morning he had been walking in
town when he came upon an elderly man sitting on the sidewalk, trying to stay
warm by huddling close to a shop door. People ignored the obviously destitute
man and Ben had seen the owner of the shop try to shoo the man away, yelling at
him to find someplace else to sit and stop disrupting his business. That’s the trouble with people these days.
No time to help anyone else other than themselves. Ben extended his hand to
the man as he struggled to stand up.
“Bless you sir. This cold weather gets into my bones.”
“You’re most welcome. Here, take my coat. It will help keep
you warm.” The man protested but Ben insisted and wrapped the coat around him.
“Take this and get yourself something to eat.”
“Really sir. I couldn’t take your money.”
“Nonsense. I won’t take no for an answer. Merry Christmas to
you.”
“And the same to you sir.”
Helping always made Ben feel better. He could forget about
his own problems if only for a short while. Ben had made some bad choices in
the past and had wound up living a very hard life as he approached his later
years. There were always people far worse off than himself though and for what
he had he was most appreciative. He had a nice warm house to live in and food
on his table so why not share with others when he could?
Ben had hung his stocking on the mantel and his Christmas
tree was all decked out in ornaments and tinsel that sparkled in the twinkling
blue lights. Unfortunately, there were no brightly wrapped presents under the
tree and the only excitement in the house was Ben’s enthusiasm while he waited
for Christmas eve.
He still believed in Santa and every year he got
disappointed when Santa didn’t show up to eat the milk and cookies he put out. This year would be different, he told
himself, it just had to be. So,
hoping for a miracle Ben went off to bed, visions of sugar plums dancing in his
head.
Christmas morning arrived with bright sunshine glistening
on newly fallen snow. Ben awoke early, anxious to see if Santa had been.
Ben made his way downstairs to his Christmas tree, hoping
for the best but knowing he would probably be disappointed yet again. His eyes
went wide with amazement when he saw the room. Decorations of all shapes and
sizes adorned just about every surface, making a picture perfect Christmas scene.
Santa Claus came! The milk and cookies
are gone! And my coat! But I… While
there were still no presents under the tree, Ben noticed a small bulge in the
toe of his Christmas stocking. He pulled the tiny wrapped box from its hiding
place, anticipation filling him as he read the attached tag.
“Dear Ben. You are a very good man and deserve the best
that life has to offer. Merry Christmas. Santa.”
I knew
it!
Santa is real!
Fingers trembling, Ben very carefully unwrapped his
precious treasure. Much to his surprise what lay inside, nestled in a velvet
lining, was a pair of exquisite gold and diamond cufflinks. Obviously very real
gold and diamonds but of what use to Ben they were going to be was beyond his
guess. He never went anywhere in a fancy suit that would require cufflinks like
these. He didn’t even own a fancy suit! Maybe
I can sell them for a lot of money. Maybe that is what Santa intended.
Still, they were a nice gift even if they weren’t of much
use to him. He took them out to examine them closer, turning them over in his
hands. They were even engraved with initials: “BC”. The “B” could stand for
Benjamin but the “C”? His last name didn’t start with a “C”. Maybe Santa had
made a mistake, and these were meant for someone else. Someone who had money
and could make use of them. Disappointed, Ben started to return them to their
box when he stuck his finger on one of the diamonds. A small drop of blood
dripped onto the link which, much to his surprise, disappeared immediately into
the diamond. What the…?
Before he could finish his thought, he found himself
outside on some sort of pathway, dressed in a very well-tailored suit, the inks
firmly attached to the cuffs of the shirt he now wore.
A very confused Ben looked around. Where am I? What happened? Not
too cold but why am I outside in a suit?
The path ambled across well-manicured lawns to a large mansion just
up ahead. Whoever lives here must be very
wealthy to own such an estate. I hope they are awake. Gaping at the scenery
all the while, he made his way to the front door, hesitant about possibly
disturbing somebody. He couldn’t stand out here all day and maybe there would
be some answers inside. He rang the doorbell, waiting for someone to respond.
***
