Reed has been asking for a 2nd dog for several Christmases now. This year was no exception.
This year he also began hinting that since I don't want another dog and he never gets a dog that maybe Santa is not real and "Mom and Dad" are really Santa.
A bit of a bummer thinking that Santa could be forgotten after this year. Maybe putting Santa behind you is one of the stages of growing up in middle class America.
A few times in the last few weeks before Christmas, Reed would muse aloud about how he couldn't get another dog for Christmas and I didn't want another dog. Interesting coincidence...
Santa doesn't bring animals, I'd say. Only inanimate objects. Reed would then cite references --friends who received pets from Santa.
On Christmas eve as we were headed to bed Reed's eyes suddenly wend wide with panic,
" Dad, we forgot to leave out cookies and milk for Santa!"
"No problem, I got it."
Reed, as I headed down the stairs, "Don't forget carrots for the reindeer too."
"OK!"
I smiled and put out the plate.
--Dad
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