Welcome to Newtonberg by David Emprimo Read Free Book Online

need a Santa, and I think
you’d be perfect. Of course, you’d need a little padding. And you’d
need to work on disguising your voice a bit. But you could do
it.”
    Mike sighed. How could he say no to the Widow
Missus? She had done so much for him since he’d moved to
Newtonberg. She’d even been the one who’d recommended him to the
council to fill the position of librarian after the previous
librarian, had retired.
     
    “Okay,” he said. “For you. For the
children.”
    For Janet , he thought.
     
    * * * * * * * *
     
    The next few weeks were a blur.
    The Widow Missus visited the library
frequently. She brought the red velvet Santa suit the town had
purchased for the Festival for him to try on. He changed into the
suit in his office, and then stepped out the door for her
approval.
    She shook her head. “Needs a little padding.
You’re too thin.”
    She reached over and grabbed a pillow off of
the couch where the library patrons would sit to read the papers
and magazines. “Try this.”
    He went back into his office, stuffed the
pillow under his shirt, put the jacket back on and stepped out
again.
    “Much better,” she said. “Now let me hear
your ‘Ho Ho Ho.’”
    Mike took a breath and let out a deep “HO HO
HO.”
    The Widow Missus was impressed. “Very
good.”
    “I’ve been practicing.”
    “Now, do you know what you’re going to say to
the children?”
    Mike paused. “Merry Christmas?” he said,
tentatively.
    “That’s a good start. But you need to find
out what they want for Christmas. Their parents will be nearby,
listening: that’s one way they find out what their children want.
And be sure to address each child by their name. You can ask their
name once, at the beginning, but don’t you dare forget it until
they’re off your knee and gone. Using their name makes each one
feel special.”
    Mike sighed. He’d never remember all of
this.
    “I know it sounds difficult. But once the
child is there with you, focus on them. Janet will take care of the
others. You only have to deal with one child at a time.”
    She smiled at him. “You can do this, Mike. I
have faith in you. I always have.”
     
    * * * * * * * *
     
     
    The day of the Festival finally arrived. All
of the booths and tents were up. John and Joanna Swensen had tables
set up in their private dining room for all of the dessert auction
items. Cliff Magnuson had come by the Café to set up the microphone
and PA system for the auction.
    The Workshop was set up, and the photographer
was arranged. The photographer was actually a high school National
Honor Society member who was participating in the 4-H Photography
show. The NHS sponsor required each member to perform a certain
amount of volunteer work each year, and this would fulfill the
requirement.
    All Mike had to do was ride in Santa’s sleigh
(a 1957 Chevy Bel Air convertible provided by Rick Murchison’s
Texaco as part of the classic car show), waving to kids and tossing
out peppermints. Janet would meet him at the football field and
lead him to the Workshop to meet the children.
    At 6:00, everyone involved with the parade
was at Swensen’s Café. The procession began with one of the
Newtonberg Fire Department’s trucks, sounding its horn to announce
the beginning of the parade. After that, there were floats from
various local organizations: the Kiwanis Club, the Lions, 4-H. The
Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. Other groups fell into place behind
those until the Newtonberg High School marching band brought up the
rear, playing “Here Comes Santa Claus”, accompanied by Santa in his
“sleigh.”
    Mike was inside the Café, hiding out in the
office so the Cub Scouts, Brownies, and other children involved in
the parade wouldn’t see Santa. He would climb into the car at the
last minute, seen only by the Swensens, Janet Carmichael, and Gene
Young, who was driving since Rick Murchison was busy filling in for
Al.
    He’d managed to make it through the weeks
leading up to the