Autumn Leaves

"And you've sparked things up for me. Seeing those children so excited just warmed me up all over." "I'm glad you feel that way, but what about you? We have to think about your Christmas wish." "This was it and you've made it all come true." "We'll see, we'll see. I have to go away for a few days to take care of my business. But I'll see you by Christmas ." He helped her on with her coat. "That will be just fine, Kris, just fine." On Christmas Eve Elaine, Ray, and their two children gathered in Mrs. Keplar's living room. Suddenly outside on the lawn bells rang and a whoosh of air stirred through the house. "What's that?" the children cried. "Stay put, I'll go see." Mrs. Keplar was outside before Elaine or Ray could object. "Kris! Kris!" she called to the man who climbed out of the sleigh. She ran straight to his open arms. "Come share Christmas with me, Edie." "Yes. Yes. I will." "Mother, you'll catch cold." Elaine came out of the house carrying her mother's wraps and boots. "What the dickens?" Her mouth dropped open. "It's Santa Claus, dear. He's come to§ive me my secret Christmas wish, omeone of my very own." "Are you ready to go with me, Edie? I have a tight schedule to keep." "Yes, I am." "Well, Mother, put on your coat and boots." Elaine helped Mrs. Keplar on with her things. She wrapped the scarf around her mother's head, then kissed her cheek. Hand in hand, Kris and Mrs. Keplar ran to the sleigh where the reindeer stood pawing, eager to begin the night's work. Kris took up the reins, called a sharp, "On there, friends." Elaine stood astounded as the sleigh lifted away into the night sky. "Mother, are you eloping?" she cried out. "I m not sure, dear. I'll be back soon to tell you. Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas." The sleigh whizzed away leaving only the echoes of a hearty, "Ho! Ho! Ho! Autumn Leaves One has a sun at its center, another the wings of a cardinal, and others scrabbling brown claws on the gravel walk, brush the air with their smoky squirrel tails, making the same nut-brown sounds as real animals. Many still cling to trees, / burnishing the ridge above the barn, the whole side of the hill furred like a bear's pelt shot through with the oak's red history, the silver victory of ash, and the sugar maple's orange, dappled here and there by splendiferous freckles, gold and brown and lemonyellow . Above it the sky is pale blue glass where every cloud has a mother-of-pearl gleam in it. -Llewellyn McKernan 35 ...