Christmas at Joes

5. Twas the Night before Christmas

    Twas the night before Christmas and all over town

The storm of the century had all roads shut down

I was working at Joe's as I thought with despair

Our party was ruined, and no one would be there.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear

but jolly old Lupin demanding a beer.

A back-up generator he'd brought in his truck.

I began to think, we might have some luck.

We hooked it up in less than an hour.

The party's back on we at least had some power.

Jose our cook got busy makin'

Everyone's favorite – hors d'oeuvres wrapped in Bacon

Despite the foul weather and all of the wind

more and more regulars came wandering in:

Now Lupin, now Lucy,

Now Miri and Red

Destiny and Dex all to be fed.

Freddy and Sally, Rich and Isabella

Everyone showed up, what else can I tell ya?

As my dream girl finally came through the door

I grabbed up the mistletoe and my heart it did soar

As she shook off her coat from the wind and the rain

I gave her the ornaments and tried to explain

"This mistletoe is ready the season to make bright

The snow is so bad we may be here all night

We'll need Kissing and cuddling to help keep us warm

So, despite the bad weather there's no need for alarm,"

"Your dream it is wishful," she replied with a wink,

"These things they may not go just as you think."

Then she chuckled good naturedly it can't be denied.

Even dreams can come true is what was implied.

The evening was going even better than I had planned despite the news that all the roads were closed and we all might have to spend the night there. Everyone was having a good time as Jose continued to turn out even more inventive treats. We had plenty of food and drink. Destiny broke out a guitar and provided background music. Miri did some palm readings and Freddy, our resident writer, wrote and recited a poem for the group.

"Twas the night before Christmas and all through the bar

"There was nothing but joy though none could get to their car.

"The bar was covered with drinks and good food

"If only we had a stripper to dance in the nude."

With that last line Sally shut Freddy down. He pleaded he couldn't think of anything else to rhyme with food. Sally improvised, "For such risqué poetry we're not in the mood, rude dude!"

Rich the ex-porn star was volunteered to do a strip tease, but Isabella put a stop to that by flashing her own boobs.

Then the totally unexpected happened. Two customers came through the door. It was a young couple covered in snow and clearly glad to be out of the cold. Miri greeted them, "What can we do for you?"

The woman who looked at least 9 months pregnant answered, "I hope we aren't interrupting anything, but your sign said you were open. In fact, your place seems to be the only place open in the entire shopping center. Our car ran off the road into a snowbank not far from here. We can't get cell service. We were hoping we could use your phone and your restroom?"

"Oh, I'm so sorry, but our phones are all out too. Probably the lines are down and the cell towers are all overloaded with emergency calls from wrecked and stranded vehicles. You can definitely use our restrooms though. They're in the back. You had probably better plan on spending the night with us here. Everyone is snowed in and the roads are all closed, no one will be able to get out until the snow ploughs come in the morning. We have heat, plenty of food and restrooms and you really shouldn't be out in this weather." Miri embraced the woman and started guiding her towards the restrooms. "I'm Miri and these are all the staff and regulars of Joe's bar."

The young woman gave Miri a grateful smile and said, "I'm Mary and this is my husband, Joe. Thank you so much for taking us in. I'm going to hurry towards that restroom now."

As she rushed toward the back Lupin noticing her pregnancy and her hurry couldn't resist asking, "Hell Mary, full of haste, blessed event, how close is it?"

Just as jokingly and without slowing down she replied, "The stretch of my blessed Fruit of the looms (brand of underwear) says any time now."

Everyone was laughing now. Probably to hide their stress at what we all were almost certain was to be the finale of this evening. So much for my romantic plans.

While the expectant parents were in the restrooms, Joe the bar owner asked if anyone present had any medical or midwifing experience. A hush fell over the bar. Nicki hesitantly raised her hand.