Fifty Shades of Kringle

Susan Havisham was a bright girl, a young college sophomore who had just moved into a house along with her best friend, Chesty LaRue. Both of them were excited about having a place they could truly call their own. They had clubs they kept busy with, Susan was on the sidesaddle riders committee, and Chesty was on the “Hey get out of the house and do something” committee. She was looking forward to holding their first Christmas bash. 

Susan was something of a shy girl, and reluctant to attend. Yet, at the constant insisting of Chesty, she did. The party was full of people, all dressed nicely, and making idle conversation over egg nog and party food. Chesty checked in with Susan to see how she was doing. Susan was feeling a bit frumpy, bored, and wanting to go home. As Chesty was called away to greet some Freshmen, that's when Susan saw him for the first time. 

He was dressed all in fir, from his head to his foot, Susan had never seen anyone quite rock red fir with white trim like that—outside of perhaps Marc Boland. When Chesty returned, Susan inquired as to whom this fellow was. “That's Chris, he's a right jolly old elf”, she told her. Chesty could tell Susan was interested,  “Go talk to him” she said, as she nudged her along. As Susan walked up to Chris, he was taking a long drag on a candy cane by the bar.

Chris took the candy cane out of his mouth, and the bartender filled a shot glass with heavy cream. He took a swig of it, sighed, and said gently “Hurts so good.” It was then that their eyes met. Susan was surprised by the immediate attraction she felt towards this man she hadn't even met yet. Chris tipped back the brim of his red stocking cap, and eyed her up and down. “I don't believe we've met” he said, “My name is Chris, Chris Kringle.”

Susan introduced herself, and shyly said “You must really like Christmas!” Chris placed the candy cane back into his mouth, “You could say it's my occupation” he said with a grin. They began to talk, and Susan found herself more attracted to this man with the gleaming white beard. Their conversation came around again to Christmas, Chris learned that Susan was a little shy when it came to the topic. “To be honest” she began, “I've never decorated before.” 

Chris cocked his head slightly, took Susan's hand, and away to the doors they flew like a flash. Upon opening the doors, what to Susan's eyes did appear? A magnificent sleigh, with eight reindeer. They both got in the sleigh, and as Chris called out the name of each reindeer, they took off. Susan gripped the sides of the red leather interior, as she found herself flying through the sky with a man shouting “Ho! Ho! Ho!” 

They eventually landed at Chris's house—a cozy little cabin, covered in snow. “I want to show you something” he said, as he helped Susan off the sleigh, and into the doors of his abode. Chris led Susan to a room filled with Christmas paraphernalia. She was overwhelmed by the sigh of so much tinsel, ornaments, wall hangings, and blow up yard decorations. “See anything you like?” Chris asked. Susan sheepishly nodded. 

Again with a flash, they were back in the sleigh, with a big cloth sack in back, and they landed at Susan's place. Chesty was gone, still at the party, and once inside Chris opened up his sack, and began to pull out all kinds of decorations. Susan soon found herself in the the middle of being thoroughly decorated, and what surprised her most, was how much she liked it. 

With the slide of a finger beside his nose, Chris went to work. He trimmed her tree, with lights, garland, ornate balls, electronic decorations that would sing and shout when pressed the right way. It was a sight to behold. With a wave of his hands, the walls were soon covered in framed pictures of snowy scenes, the front of the house lit up with what seemed to be a thousand twinkling lights. Chris knew how to twinkle. 

With that same twinkle in his eye, Chris turned to her fireplace. With a flash of fury, and blur of activity, the mantle was covered in candles, soft cloth snowmen, and stockings hung with care. He stoker her fire, till it filled the room with a warm glow. He brought forth hot chocolate, mistletoe, and snow. By the time he was finished both Chris and Susan were exhausted. Chris had decked her halls, and decked them good. 

They both collapsed onto the couch, Chris pulled out two candy canes and handed one to Susan. He spoke not a word, just sat there admiring his handy work.  He was halfway done with his candy cane, when Chris suddenly stood up! “The Elves!” he examined, and before Susan, knew it—he drove out of sight. Susan heard the faint sound of jingle bells—fading ever so into the background. She finally had learned what this decorating thing was all about, and that's when she heard old Chris Kringle shout, “Merry Christmas to all! And to all a good night!”