‘Is the Holiday Coffee Cake ready for sampling yet,’ Billy B asked?

‘There is a little off to the side but the lion’s share must go with us Monday for Christmas at Grandma A’s…I am also cooking my famous Roast Beast for the big day,’ Neva J answered.

‘Is it true that we are really going to travel by horse-drawn carriage this year,’ Jane asked with a gleeful grin as wide as the Cheshire Cat of Alice In Wonderland?

‘Yes and we will have red and green blankets to cover our laps with Christmas Bells on the horse’s bridles,’ Chet said.’ ’The only item we need to have the perfect Christmas trip is snow,’ he continued with a holiday wink.

‘Ho…Ho…Ho…Santa proclaimed as he helped each of the holiday revelers into the carriage. ’This will be a Magical Christmas like no other…,’ Santa continued in an especially Merry Mood…

‘Tommy L is sitting by the Orpheum Theatre…He looks a bit forlorn…Tommy L join us for our Magical Christmas Ride,’ Santa called out! 

‘I can not believe my good fortune…it is a Christmas miracle…I customarily spend Christmas alone and have a hamburger for dinner and since it is Christmas I order french fries with it,’ Tommy L said. 

‘Don’t forget Rosie…she will meet us at the Dairy Queen…she was going to spend Christmas alone and I told her not this year,’ Neva J laughed.’

‘I usually spend Christmas listening to Christmas songs on my phonograph…I often feel so lonely…but today I feel like a queen,’ Rosie exulted! 

Standing along Locust Street were Bessie and Jim waving at Santa driving the brilliant horse-drawn carriage with the merry jingle of the bells and the laughter ensuing from the group in the holiday conveyance and drinking hot chocolate. 

‘Look…they have no coats and their shoes have large holes in them,’ Chet said sadly. 

‘Climb aboard Bessie and Jim and look in the bag in the back of the carriage as I have a warm coat for each of you and some dapper new shoes as well, Santa bellowed with a majestic laugh!

‘Climb out and help Mary in the carriage and place her wheelchair in the back,’ Santa said with a wink and a draw of his pipe as the smoke circled his head like a wreath…

‘Oh little town of Bethlehem how still we see thee lie. Above the deep and dreamless sleep…the silent stars go by. Yet in thy, dark streets shineth the everlasting light. The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.’ the Victorian Carloers sang. 

Snow began to fall…