The Christmas Elf, A Secret-Santa Story

Chapter 3- Pleasant surprises!

Friday 16 December

As soon as Mr. Jensen opened his door the smell hit him. It made him think of love and quiet evenings surrounded by family. Well, maybe not all the evenings were that quiet. He missed his wife around Christmas the most, when it seemed the house had always been filled with the scent of something baking. Back when the kids were still growing up, it was also filled with the sounds of laughter and all the other raucous noises kids seemed to make. They would be coming home to spend the Christmas weekend, but the time between now and then would feel like forever.

He pictured Tim waving goodbye to him at the retirement home, looking a bit sad although there was always someone to talk to and something to do there.

"Have you given it some more thought?" Tim had asked. "A body gets lonely, living by himself...."

"I'm seriously thinking about it Tim," he had answered and he was giving it serious thought.

He was pretty sure his children would have mixed feelings about it. They would probably feel bad the old man had decided it on his own, but there would probably be some relief too.

He followed his nose to the kitchen. "Why, it smells exactly like...." Sniff sniff

"It can't be...."

He felt the warmth as he approached the stove, cautiously opened the oven which was now off and got hit with the full aroma. His mouth watered, "Apple pie!!"

He left the stove open so the pie could cool faster, although it tortured him with the luscious scent and went to the refrigerator for a drink. The scrumptious casserole stared back at him. He closed the fridge, closed his eyes and counted to ten.

Opened the fridge again. The casserole tin had a clear note that indicate exactly how long he should heat it up for. Somewhat cautiously, as though afraid it would disappear at any moment, he took it out.

"Well, I'll be...." He had forgotten about the Christmas magic that had set their little street abuzz last year. The mystery had never been solved and he had almost forgotten about it.

"Well, I'll be....," he said again as he took the pie out and followed the instructions for the casserole. Unable to resist, he pulled back on his coat and stepped onto his porch to take a proper look around.

It was only then he realized that he should have had had a clue from the time he had reached the beginning of the street. All the driveways were clear, freshly shoveled free of snow. It hadn't snowed that day, but there was always a couple driveways where someone had not had time to shovel before going to work.

Excited exclamations were coming from the house next door and he could see the little girl with the golden curls jumping up and down. He spotted the wreaths on the doors and a little splash of red at Mrs. Sheppards.

"Yep," he said to himself, "the Christmas magic is back."

~ o ~

Claudia listened as her six year old daughter gave her strong and informed opinion on the preferences of reindeer from the backseat where she was still bundled into her coat. The heater in the car didn't make it as warm as the little girl would have liked and the coat was necessary.

"Reindeer don't like grass as much as they like carrots," Ella's voice and thoughts both making her mother smile. "'Specially in winter...it's 'cus the grass gets so cold it hurts their teeth...so they like a nice warm carrot instead."

"Mmmhmmm," Claudia said, "but how do the reindeer get to the carrots, dear?"

"Umm..." Ella's eyebrows scrunched up and she caught her mother's eyes in the rearview mirror. "What do you mean, mom?"