A Christmas Story of My Own

"So, did you get everything you wanted for Christmas?" I asked my 15 year old son.

"Almost," he replied.

Almost, he said, because the one thing he really, really wanted this year was an electric guitar. And yet Santa somehow forgot to put it under the tree.

"Well, there's always next year," I said.

The Parkman fiddled with one of his other gifts while I let some time pass.

"Oh, hey, will you do me a favor?" I asked.

"Sure, dad."

"I left some soda out in the backseat of the car. Would you mind bringing it in before we eat?"

Parkman goes out to the car where I have left a large cardboard box in the backseat... a Fender electric guitar. He burst through the door with an excited look on his face. His lips curled into a huge smile as he hurriedly ripped open the box.

Within minutes Parkman plugged in the amp. The snap of a few sparks, a quick whiff of ozone and the guitar blazed forth in unparalleled glory. Bumpus hounds be damned.

"Don't put your eye out," I laughed. I couldn't help myself.