The Best Gift of All
by Annette
Bill Regan watched the battered Chevy Celebrity pull up to the verandah. "Who could that possibly be?" He wondered. Bill ran down the apartment steps to greet whomever it was. Stopping by the stable entrance, hewatched the man slowly getting out of the car. The car door slowly opened, followed by an arm holding a cane. He could see the man swing his feet out. Or rather, foot. The man paused, took a deep breath, then grabbed his thigh and helped his other leg out the door. Bill's first impulse was to help the man, but something held him back. Bill sensed the man neither needed nor wanted assistance.
Grabbing the top of the door, the man pulled himself upright. As he turned, Bill could see he was wearing a patch over one eye. The man stood erect, which surprised Bill. Leaning heavily on the cane, the man slowly walked towards Bill. Bill did a double take. He looked awfully familiar to Bill, but he couldn't place him. Bill closed his eyes, shook his head, then looked again. Yes, this man somehow looked familiar, but Bill knew he hadn't met this man before.
The man had thick, wavy, pure white hair. He managed to walk erect while leaning heavily on the mahogany cane. It was definitely a cane made for use, not decoration. The man had piercing dark eyes that looked at Regan intently. His square chin and hollowed cheeks bore testimony to a hard life. The man stopped.
"I'm looking for Danny Mangan." The man spoke forcefully. His voice belied his age. Regan cocked an eyebrow at the man. The man spoke again, quietly, yet forcefully. "I heard he was sent to live here, or nearby."Dancing through the snow,
on a circus horse we go,
laughing all the way!Bells on Spartan ring,
making spirits bright.
Oh, what fun it is to ride
and sing a circus song tonight!Regan heard Dan singing at the top of his lungs as he rode Spartan up to the stables. "Merry Christmas Eve, Uncle Bill!" Dan called. Dismounting, Dan stood with his back to the man for a moment as he adjusted the saddle. Regan stood quietly, waiting to see if Dan recognized the man.
"Danny, is that you?" The man whispered.
The color drained from Dan's face. He hadn't heard that voice in years. In fact, he never expected to hear it again, but there wasn't any mistaking it. He'd know that voice anywhere. Turning, Dan whispered "Daddy."The End
*editors note: I butchered "Jingle Bells" in the story. Yada Yada aboutthe characters. I know people who work at Golden! (Yeah, I know - Bigdeal, who cares?). I also used the version where Dan's father was supposedly killed in the Korean War. The government never makes mistakes.Yeah, right! Now, if you believe that one, I have this bridge to sell you.... Oh, and for those who are wondering, family is the best gift of all. Happy Holidays to all!