It is the first of three days of my 2015 Christmas Story. I hope you will enjoy the read and smile at the end. No thoughts of the day since we all be busy having a fun holiday. Smile through it, it suits you best.
Art by Anton Pieck
Christmas story 2015.
Let me tell you a story from a long time ago. It was about a week before a Christmas filled with magic and fresh fallen snow. In a tiny town all alone was a little boy in an old run down building that was an orphanage ran by a lady who once called it her home she to was living.The rest of the children on a holiday except for him who was naughty and had to stay.
Ho, ho, ho. How silly of me during this time, I am telling you this story in a rhyme.
-Now where was… Oh yes the bot left in an orphanage with a care taker who used to live their as well as a child. Now where to begin…?
-It isn’t easy as so much is to tell, Lets start with telling about the moment of the bell.
It has been many years, Leona was still a little girl. Always pulling ponytails and snarls at boys was the order of those days. Old lady Mary who was the head of the lot, was strict with the rules and had to punish her a lot. But every moment the bell would ring. She ran to her bed to be under her blanket hiding.
She didn’t want to be taken away. Here in this home, with her brothers and sisters she wanted to stay. How could she be like the others and comb their hair, only to be taken away by a lonely and odd looking pair.
-Ho ho I need to stop rhyming or else I am getting in trouble and not finish in time. This is to be due Christmas day and has to be completed soon as the sleigh bells chime.
-No, no this isn’t right, terribly sorry. Let me start over again no need to worry.
It was the letter I got from little Tommy that was a big surprise that time. Obviously I am accustomed to receive lots of letters but this one was special in a way of what he had to say. It brought tears to Mrs Clause that twinkled brilliantly on her cheek as did the elves as this never happened before.
-Now where did I put that letter, it must be here somewhere, to read it to you would make it understand it better.
Dear Santa,
I know I have not been very nice this year, but I still would like to make a request, if it is not to much trouble. It is not so much for me but for Miss Leona I cause so much trouble to. It has been a while now since we are alone in this old run down house, Nobody wanted me and that may be my own fault.
This one day I saw her crying. And maybe I am to blame but I do want her to be happy maybe find love again.
-This is but part of the story but none the less also the start.
It was a week before Christmas and Miss Leona was left to take care of little Tommy. The floors were squeaking with every step, curtains danced when the wind blew through the many cracks. Stuffed with towels to keep as much of the cold outside.
They were not allowed to come along with a holiday for the other children. Okay it was Tommy who was not allowed as he had been naughty through out the year. Starting fires and fights with whom ever said something wrong to him. Hardly ever listening to the caretakers.
Well there had been one who sometimes got through his thick head and it became the reason for her to stay behind as well.
Leona didn’t mind, since she grew up in that house as well. It is filled with memories. She got stories about every nook and granny.
She sat in front of the fire sipping her tea. A gentle swing in her rocking chair she watches the flames burn the logs while Tommy plays with the poker. Bored as there is nobody to prank or even fight.
“Miss Leona, why are you always smiling?”
The question came rolling in like thunder on a clear day. “You always so happy. And here you are stuck with me while every one else got to go elsewhere.”
“You are right, I am stuck here with you but you know, here with this fire burning and you poking that fire just reminds me of some time ago.” Leona puts her cup on to the small table next to her. Her fingers reach for the glasses and the book underneath and lays it on her lap, while she puts on her glasses.
“Oh please tell me why you are smiling?” He was slightly agitated seeing Miss Leona picking up her book to start reading.
“If you like I can tell you the story or rather a secret from my dairy on why I am smiling right now.”
Tommy’s face changed and showed some curiosity “Please do Miss Leona.” It was clear he could be polite if only he was like that with the others.
“Very well. I once sat where you sat and on this same old chair sat Old Mary. She was a nun and ran this orphanage just like I am now. I grew up here and like you I wasn’t always nice to her, even though she was to me. I was the last of the children to be adopted. I had a habit every time a couple came along, I gone into hiding.
I didn’t want to leave my friends, my family. Still they all kept leaving me.
So I sat there keeping the fire burning as Mary told me stories about Christmas and all the naughty things we done to her and her home. Pretty sure on the attic there is a beam that says ‘Leona’s secret hideout’.”
“I seen that.” Tommy said in an enthusiastic voice straight after covering his mouth with his hands knowing full well he just gave away he had bene on the attic. “I shouldn’t have said that huh?”
Leona burst out laughing, “No you shouldn’t have but it is okay it will be our secret from now on.
But to continue, now that I think about it, it was pretty much the same as now a week before Christmas. Left behind and nobody really liked me but Mary. Sure she was just doing her job as a our caretaker, mother superior.
I had some fun times in this place and even more with you here crawling, running and sneaking around.”
To be continued…
Ranting Crow 