Checking It Once

This story was written for Trifecta’s weekly prompt, which was to use the word “father”. as in, a respectful form of address. ‘Tis the season. Enjoy!

The old man had a splitting headache. He reached for his glasses again, then paused. He hadn’t even got through the first reading yet, and the second reading was still to come.  The list grew longer every year, it seemed.

There was a light tap at his door, and a golden-haired elf bustled in. “I’ve brought another cocoa for you, Father,” she said, “and crumpets as well, and I expect to see them all gone before the afternoon. You know how you are with the readings, you lose track of time and you won’t eat. Very bad, sir, very bad!”

“You know, Juliet,” the old man said thoughtfully, “I don’t think there’ll be a second reading this year.”

Juliet stared. “I beg your pardon, Father?”

“Yes, I think we’ll skip the usual ceremonies. I’ve been hard on the children these past few years, and they deserve a real holiday for once, don’t you agree? Send the word down: every request this year is granted, no matter what, even if it’s a Shetland pony. There’ll be no coal in anyone’s stocking this Christmas!”

“But…but, Father, we can’t grant every request. What about Melville Withersby?”

The old man had moved on, however, sweeping away the list from his desk in a glorious bout of untidiness. “Every request, Juliet. Whatever the children want, they get! Even if-”

“It’s a Shetland pony, yes, Father, I know.” Juliet sighed. She didn’t have the heart to tell him that Melville, a candidate for the naughty list if ever there was one, wasn’t the type to ask for Shetland ponies. He had recently discovered action movies, and in consequence had far greater ambitions.

 

Many children had a better than usual Christmas that year, to their very great delight, and the consternation of their parents. Melville’s father was particularly stressed. He had to spend the Christmas holiday trying to explain to the friendly officials of the United States government how a nuclear missile had materialized in his front yard.