When the last family drove away, the snowflakes lazily drifting through the beam of the headlights, Mama closed the cherry-red cabin door quietly. She smiles a secret smile, for now it's time to play Santa. Peeking in on her sleeping children, her and Dad set up Christmas.
Cabbage Patch dolls, Ninja Turtles, stick-on earrings, board games, Get-along-gang figures, Pound puppies, the Mama and Dad pull out all the stops. There's even a new VCR.
Alabama's Christmas album played softly from the tape deck; the fire snapped in the woodstove. Mama hummed quietly along with the music, Dad filled the stockings with LifeSaver books, giant candy canes, an orange and gum. Mama and Dad smiled, what a perfect day it's been, they thought.
Tiredly, the mama and dad crawled into bed, falling asleep quickly.
Unknown to the parents slumbering in their bed, the five kids, four boys and one girl, sneak out of their rooms and into the living room.
Sneak.
Sneak
Sneak.
The tree is lit, the perfectly wrapped presents sit under its boughs. The children don't move for a moment, wonderstruck with this most magical scene. Slowly they make their way forward, fingering the Cabbage Patch kids gently. Chris picks up his biggest gift. So carefully he un-taped just a corner, peeking into the paper. He saw a laser tag set, complete with pistols and hats and everything. He grinned madly, not making a sound. Wrapping the paper back in place, he set the present back under the tree.
Ella, overcome with adoration for her Cabbage Patch doll, kissed it on the cheek, telling her she'd see her in the morning. After each child had thoroughly investigated their presents, they made sure the living room looked exactly how Mama and Dad had left it.
YOU ARE READING
The Christmas Cabin: A short story
Short StoryThe Christmas Cabin is a magical place...where snow falls, rascally children play, cookies are baked, and carols are sung. The is the place five children, 4 boys and 1 girl, call home. Come join their world as Christmas approaches.
