If These Heels Could Talk they would say, "living in a single wide trailer makes it difficult for Santa to fulfill his mission without getting noticed."
I remember being around ten years old and it was Christmas time. This particular year I suppose my parents had a little extra cash to spend on Christmas and therefore my mother and I made a trip to Roses Department Store.
We walked through the store looking at all the Christmas decorations and the different toys that they had on display for the children to pitch fits about wanting from Santa. My mom and I strolled the aisles taking a look at decorations first then moving on to the toy section.
Of course as a ten year old little girl I looked at the dolls, barbies and play make up. But then as we kept walking my eye caught the vision of something so magnificent that it took my breath away.
There it was..... the prettiest bicycle that I had ever seen. It was purple and white and it had a banana seat with a basket on the front and tassels hanging off the handle bars. I remember telling my mother that I wanted Santa to bring that to me.!!!
Of course she went through the usual spill about she wasn't sure if I had been good enough that year for Santa to bring such an elaborate gift. She continued to say that most likely I would be getting a bag of switches. (well as long as I don't have to pick them out myself was my thoughts)
The next few weeks leading up to Christmas day were excruciating for me. It seemed a life time had passed before the day arrived. I remember laying in my twin bed at night dreaming about that bike. I asked my mom daily if Santa was going to bring it to me and every single time her response was, "probably not, Santa has been watching you and you probably will get a bag of switches." Was I really that bad.??? Oh the agony.
Now some may not know this but even at ten years old I was a people pleaser and the thought of me making Santa mad, well it just didn't sit right with me. The thought of me getting a bag of switches made me sick. I didn't want switches. I wanted that bike!!!
As many that have read my stories know, at this particular time in my life we lived in a single wide trailer. It had two bed rooms and one bathroom. There was a front door and a back door, however they were both on the front side of the trailer. I shared a room with my two brothers. The room had their twin bunk beds, my twin bed and one dresser with four drawers. Our room was right beside the living room which was beside the kitchen.
In the living room we had a wood burning heater. This heater caused great concern with me. I was very concerned with how Santa was going to fit down that pipe. I guess city kids with real fireplaces never had to worry about that. We had a small Christmas tree about four foot tall that my mom always tried to adorn with the prettiest ornaments. It was placed on top of an end table and in the corner in order to try to give us enough room to function. Needless to say the trailer was not extravagant, but it was home.
Christmas finally came and as with most children I found myself not able to go to sleep. I really tried everything that I could. I flipped the pillow at least twenty times to get the cold side. I hummed. I closed my eyes and counted sheep. I went to the bathroom to pee and was yelled at. I really did try to go to sleep.
I guess my parents waited until they thought we were sound asleep and then my dad ventured out to his destination.... toy storage....
Within minutes I could hear one of the two front doors squeak open and I could hear voices and rambling of paper. Then I heard my mom say, "Lawd she is going to be so excited, she done made herself plum sick worrying bout that bike."
What???? Did I just hear what I thought I heard? I am getting the bike!!!!. After all I am the only she in the house besides my mom and I have never seen her ride a bike.
Excited as I was, a slight disappointment overcame me. I knew what I was getting. But now I didn't want to disappoint my parents by letting them know that I knew. I could hear it in their voice how excited they were to give me what I had requested.
Now I am in a different turmoil.... How will I pull off acting like I don't know what "Santa" has brought me. Morning came and as I sleepily stumbled into the living room I shrieked with excitement at the sight of my new bike. I was pleased and my parents were pleased.
That was a great Christmas.
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