Christmas legacy
Hello everyone, it’s time for the last of my freebie stories. This time I’m going to be doing a Christmas tale.
Ray Carlton never had that much to live for. All his life he’s known nothing but misery and pain. Even as he’s struggled to make his life and himself better.
But things are about to change in ways he never expected. As he’ll learn of his connection to the Christmas season. Get ready for Christmas Legacy.
49-year-old Ray Carlton stepped out of the grocery store. The brown-haired man sighed in relief. At least my stomach’s full now, he thought.
He put his hands in the pockets of his ratty heavy coat. “Cold out tonight,” he muttered to himself.
“Well don’t expect it to be too much warmer back at your apartment Ray old boy,” he muttered in a grumpy tone.
From within the grocery store he’d exited he heard the sounds of Christmas music going. To this Ray sighed in frustration. Why is it that Christmas has always depressed me? He wondered.
Oh yeah it has to do with the fact Mom was a vindictive woman. And Dad may he rest in peace did his best but could never catch a break. Like me in my state now.
He looked around at the parking lot. Other than a few cars belonging to the grocery store workers the lot was near empty.
My stomach’s full for now. The question is how long will that last? He thought not for the first time.
He pulled out the piece of paper from his pocket before he’d gotten sent home earlier. He headed over to a nearby wall and leaned up against it as he read the letter.
To: Ray Carlton
On behalf of Quick Step Delivery, we wish to thank you for your efforts. We appreciate the years of service and loyalty you’ve shown this company. But the economic downturn has given us no choice but to cut back on company costs. So, we regret to inform you that your services as a company deliveryman are no longer needed.
The signature read Howard Morrison CEO of Quick Step Delivery. He put the letter back in his pocket and sighed. “What a way to celebrate Christmas,” Ray growled.
“Laid off from my job. And from what I’ve been reading no one anywhere else in Portland is hiring. As if my life didn’t have enough problems in it!”
He straightened up and looked around. Then he decided to head home. “Ho-ho-Ho Merry Christmas Ray,” chimed a familiar voice.
A familiar figure approached. He wore jeans, a flannel shirt, sweater, heavy coat, and black boots. On his head he wore a Santa Claus style hat.
The clean-shaven man had white hair and a merry look on his wrinkly face. “Hey Chris, how are you?” Ray greeted.
The man smiled and chimed, “Merry as always my friend.”
And then his face furrowed. “But you don’t look so happy. What’s on your mind?”
“Ah it’s nothing,” Ray said in a dismissive tone.
The older man gave him a look. It was a very father-like look of a man who knew that something was up.
“Ray, we’ve known each other for three years. I know when something’s wrong.”
“It’s no…” he began.
But he found he couldn’t hold back. “My work has laid me off,” he snapped.
“Add in the fact that my life stinks and you can guess the rest!” he growled in anger.
Chris’ face furrowed. “How is your life terrible?"
Ray glared at the man and snapped, “What do you think? I’m almost fifty years old and I’m dirt poor! I have no hope to better myself.
“First no one's hiring here in Portland. Second everywhere I turn people look down on me as some kind of oppressor! All because of my skin color!
"Third I can't afford a family. And most women don't even want to come near me. All because I don't act like part of the cool crowd!"
Chris offered a sad smile.
“I can feel your pain. A lot of people like you are suffering these days. These times we’re living in are not the nicest.
“Race, gender, and all those immutable things are getting used to divide us. And generally, makes us all feel miserable. It’s an awful time to live.”
And then a sly smile flashed on his face. “But what if I could improve your life in a way you could never have imagined?”
Ray let out a snort of derisive laughter. Yeah, that’ll be the day, he thought.
“I can tell you’re skeptical about what I’m saying.” Chris said in a tone of sadness.
“And I imagine your mother didn’t help considering her hatred of Christmas.”
Whatever Ray had expected it hadn’t been that. “How did you know?” he asked in a wary tone.
Christopher Cringler shook his head. “Because that would fit with your mother’s destructive nature. Christine always resented who she was.”
Now Ray was getting a little creeped out. “How did you know my mom’s first name?” he asked.
In response the man flashed a knowing smile. “I know a lot about you Ray. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you this. But my family and I needed to be certain.”
He pulled a tiny wreath with a bell tied to it rom a pocket of his coat.
Ray scratched the stubble on his face. “Tell me Ray. Have you noticed how you're able to make people’s lives better during the holiday season?’
The brown-haired middle-aged man gaped. “Yes, I have. Like when my boss needed someone to give his car a push last Christmas. I ended up making it start again and work like nothing had happened.
A thoughtful look crossed his face. "It was like a…”
“Christmas miracle or a wish made real?” Chris added.
Ray looked on his friend as if seeing him for the first time. “Who are you, Christopher Cringler?”
“That name is an alias I use when I’m here in civilization. My real name is…Cringle, Chris Cringle.”
Ray rolled his eyes and laughed.
“So let me get this straight. You mean to tell me that you’re Santa Claus? Yeah right!
“Santa Claus would have to be hundreds of years old for that to work!”
“Not exactly,” Chris chimed.
From another pocket Chris fished out some golden dust. He threw it into the air and it swirled around them. Ray got a surprise when the world around him slowed to a stop.
“Wha-wha-what is this?” he squawked in slight fear.
Chris explained, “This is the Cringle family's biggest secret. This is how we get around the world and give toys and gifts to so many in a single night. Dust of Time Freezing made by my Elf helpers.”
Ray gaped in stunned surprise. "If you are Chris Cringle why take an interest in me? I’m nothing special.”
Chris smiled and Ray saw the tears in his eyes. “Oh, but you're very special Ray. You see your mother is…or rather was my sister.”
Ray’s mouth dropped open in stunned shock. “Are you saying I’m your nephew?”
“That's right Ray you're my nephew. My family and I have been searching for you a long time. Since we found out about your mother's marriage and your birth years ago." Chris told him.
“How come it’s taken so long for you to find me?” Ray asked his tone of voice showing anger.
Chris shook his head regret on his face.
“Because when your mother left us years ago, she took some magical dust. The Elf dust was to keep you from our sight. When your mother left, she swore to someday find a way to destroy Christmas..and us.”
Ray's face wrinkled in disgust.
“That sounds about right! Before Mom and Dad divorced, I saw the kind of bitter, angry, hateful person she was. After she left Dad and me when I was thirteen, I never knew what happened to her.”
“Your mother always resented being a Cringle. She believed Christmas was a stupid holiday and that it had no reason to be. She believed no one should ever be happy at all for any reason.”
Ray snorted in derision.
“Again, no surprise! That fits my mother to a tee. But tell me…Uncle Chris how is it you’ve only been able to get in contact with me now?”
“Because Ray we wanted to approach you in a careful way. I wanted to get to know you and see the kind of person you are.
The older man put a friendly arm on one shoulder.
“I can tell life and the world have hurt you. But I can also sense that there’s a good person who wants to do right. And to make people better and happier which is the Cringle way.”
The older man extended the wreath with the bell. “I want you to point a finger at this. And picture it ringing in your mind.”
Ray’s face furrowed. “Um, I’m not sure I can do that,” he said in uncertainty.
“Give it a try,” Chris said in an encouraging tone.
The younger man had to admit Chris had no reason to lie to him in the three years they’d known each other. So, on a whim he pointed the index finger of his right hand at the bell. He closed his eyes.
Okay if I am a Cringle then bell, I ask you please ring for me.
Ray got a surprise when he heard the bell ring. He opened his eyes and saw the bells swinging and giving a merry chime. He gaped in stunned shock.
"Dear God, I am a Cringle!” he said in a hoarse whisper.
Chris let out a merry, “Ho-ho-ho-ho-ho!”
The older man embraced him. “I knew you had it in you Ray. You have the Cringle power and spirit. And that’s why I’m here tonight.”
“But there's still time before Christmas,” Ray noted as Chris released him.
“So why come to me tonight?’
“Because Ray this division in our family has gone on too long. I’d like you to come home with me. Come back to the North Pole."
The older man flashed a smile with a sly wink.
"I offer you a chance to start a new life with your family. Come to a place where there's no judgement or hate. Or people trying to use any immutable trait of yours for their own personal gain.
"Only the celebration of giving, caring, and sharing friends and family.”
Ray thought over everything that had happened. And his train of thought brought him to one conclusion.
“If it gets me out of this bad situation, I’ll take a chance on anything. I’m at the end of my rope as it is.”
Chris let out another heartfelt, “Ho-ho-ho-ho-ho.”
“I thought you’d come around if given a chance,” he chimed.
From a pocket he pulled out a whistle and blew it. He then put a hand around Ray. “Come on nephew let’s head out to the parking lot so they can see us.”
Ray nodded and followed the man he now knew to be his uncle. In the parking lot Santa Claus blew the whistle again. At first there was nothing but the cold empty night.
But then Ray’s keen ears picked it up. The sounds of sleigh bells.
The middle-aged man's mouth dropped open as he saw a speck that flew towards them. It turned out to be a flying sleigh pulled by eight tiny reindeer. “My God,” he gasped.
What stood out were two child-sized people with pointy ears driving the sleigh. It flew over the two men and somehow floated down to land in the parking lot. Ray and Chris walked up to it.
Chris smirked and said, “As usual Landon and Simon an excellent landing with the sleigh.”
The two elves dressed in green medieval style clothing looked at the older man. “Thanks boss," they chimed.
Then they spotted the awed former deliveryman. “So, this is Ray Carlton huh?” One asked.
“Um…hello?” Was all he could say.
One of the elves hopped out. “So, you’re the son of Christine Cringle huh? You look nice enough.”
He then flashed a smile as he extended a hand. “Here shake.”
Ray moved to take the hand. The other elf and Chris squawked, “No, don’t touch it!”
Too late, Ray took the hand. He got a mild shock by the slight electric jolt and the loud horn noise. Ray yelped and let go of his grip.
The elf smiled in a mischievous fashion as he raised the hand Ray had shaken.
The raised hand showed, “The hand buzzer! Still gets them every time.” The elf chortled.
“Landon,” Chris and the other elf chided.
“Well, I guess this proves I’m not dreaming,” Ray noted.
The other elf got out. “Sorry about that Mr. Carlton. Landon here has always been a prankster among the elves. I’m Simon, Santa’s chief elf.”
Ray took the hand and shook it. Chris asked, “So have you changed your mind nephew?”
Ray clambered into the sleigh and stated, “Not changing my mind Uncle Chris, I'll go with you. This is my one shot at a better life and I'll take it!"
Chris Cringle let out a hearty, “Ho-ho-ho-ho-ho!”
He and the elves climbed into the sleigh. “You don’t know how much this means to me Ray or to your cousins.”
“I have cousins?” The former deliveryman asked.
“You do, Diane and Chris, and your aunt Belle. They’ve all been eager to meet you.”
Santa took the reins of the sleigh and waved them. “On Dasher-on Dancer-on Prancer and Vixen. On Comet-on Cupid-on Donner-on Blitzen!
"Off to Christmas city and away from this Mall. Now dash away-dash away-dash away all!”
The sleigh lifted off the ground and floated into the air. Soon the sleigh launched into the sky. And Ray looked around in awe.
Then a thought came to him. “Wait Uncle Chris, what about my things at my apartment.”
“Oh, don’t worry about them. I’ll send some of my elves to collect them.”
Then another thought came to Ray. “Uncle you mentioned Christmas city. You mean that you don’t only have a workshop at the North Pole?”
Santa chortled and said, “Heavens no! Even elves give birth. There’s quite the city that’s developed at the North Pole.
"Right under the noses of anyone from any of the other countries of the world.
“We’re quite self-sufficient. And we keep an eye on the rest of the world."
Chris pointed to the two smaller passengers.
"Thanks to my elves' magic I see children when they’re sleeping. I know when they’re awake. And I know if they’ve been bad or good like the carols say."
“So, there's some truth in the Christmas carols huh?’ Ray asked.
Chris nodded and chortled again. “Quite a bit of truth.”
He put a friendly hand on Ray’s right shoulder. “And you’re going to love Christmas city nephew.”
Ray sat in the sleigh and said, “You know Uncle Chris you’re right. And this may be the best Christmas gift I've ever gotten. The chance to meet my family.”
Chris let out a loud, “Ho-ho-ho-ho!"
Then added, “Now that’s the Christmas spirit!”
Another thought crossed Ray. “Uncle, one more question. Where’s Rudolph?”
Chris flashed a sheepish smile. “My family’s favorite red-nosed reindeer is suffering a bout of deer flu. Diane says he’ll recover but she wants him to rest another day. My daughter’s quite a good veterinarian.”
Ray felt his heart starting to lighten knowing that he wasn’t alone anymore. He had a family who had been looking for him. And now he had hope again and was about to get a second chance.
"Welcome aboard Ray Carlton," Simon chimed in.
And there you have it folks. Ray Carlton has uncovered his own family legacy and is now enroute to the start of a new life. I hope you enjoyed this Christmas story.
Please like and/or let me know your thoughts in the comments section. Did I do good or could my work use improvement? Constructive criticism is welcome here.
Follow me here or on Gab and MeWe.
Would you like to support my work? Here are the ways you can do so.
You can wire me tokens on Minds. Or you can send me tokens or a monetary tip along with your comments via the Superminds feature.
You can give a one-time donation to my PayPal Tip Jar. Or you can become a monthly patron on Minds or Subscribestar.
I’ll leave links below. And please only give what you can afford.
Thank you for reading this story. I’m Animeman73. Stay true to yourselves stay classy, and God bless you all. Have a Merry Christmas with your friends and family.
Links:
Follow me here:
Support me here: