[ WP ] Santa leaves no witnesses .

“ Mommy. Why not cookies and milk? ” 
 
 “ Santa adores grapes and wine too sweetie. Now hurry along. ” 
 
 On the night of Christmas Eve, Sharon was ecstatic. That itself is an understatement, for she had been waiting for this day since Jack left for the military. Nothing like a romantic night before the festive day arrives. She prepares a simple meal and calls for Lisa. 
 
 “ Make sure you do your prayers. ” 
 
 After dinner she begins to wrap a present for him; a Longines watch which he had always desired. Today was the day she could properly exhibit her true dedication to him. That night, she warns Lisa, 
 
 “ If you refuse to go to bed early today, Santa will not be satisfied with your behaviour. He will only arrive once you drift off to sleep, understood? ” 
 
 Lisa quickly retreated to her bedroom, but a young girl ’ s burning curiosity could not be satiated without at least taking a peek. She succumbed to her own temptations, but who could blame her? She tiptoed down the steps, craning her head so she could eye the grapes and wine she had meticulously placed on the coffee table. She nearly dozes off and is awoken by the ancient grandfather ’ s clock that made these jarring cuckoo noises that penetrated her eardrums. A shadow formed on the stairway. She scrambled to conceal herself. She was disappointed once again. It was only her mother. But to her surprise, there he was. The tall man placed the sack on the floor, and tagged behind her mother. Lisa had thought that her mother could not see him, but Sharon turns and invites him to the sofa. They laugh and Santa is passed a box. Lisa squints but is only able to make out something shiny. Upon finishing the wine, the two adults headed towards the small alley in the house. Lisa paused, and decided to follow them. Her small feet could not chase them, but she saw a path of light that led her to Sharon ’ s bedroom. At first, puzzling, Lisa saw a mass of red and white fabric on the carpet. She pondered for a minute whether to reveal herself before unusual sounds emerged from the room. She did not know what it was. But it piqued her curiosity. She opened the door just ever so slightly but her mother notices her. She was dressed in purple and fragility, with a man who was turned away from her. 
 
 “ Li…sa. ” 
 
 Sharon pushed the man away and ran over to hug Lisa. No matter how Lisa tried to identify the man, Sharon would block her view. She coaxed Lisa to return to her room, explaining that Santa ’ s face must be hidden. But Lisa was a better liar, a better actor, a better man. She stayed outside in the doorway after pretending to be asleep. She overheard, 
 
 “ I can ’ t do this anymore, I love you, but- “ 
 
 The sounds returned shortly. 
 
 -- - 
 
 On the festive day, Sharon pretends that nothing has happened and plasters on a smile. She welcomes Jack home with an embrace. He kisses her forehead lightly. He gives her something; a ruby necklaces she had asked for. Lisa smiles even brighter. 
 
 That night, Sharon sits on Lisa ’ s bed, reading her a bedtime story, and after that, she tells her one last time, 
 
 “ Santa is a very secretive man. He has told me that he does not want any witnesses. He is a mystical man, you see. Now Lisa, you ’ re a good girl, aren ’ t you? And you ’ ll keep this secret for him? ” 
 
 Lisa nods. That night, the Christmas joy and jingles and grandfather clock chimes could never be compared to the cacophony in Lisa's head, from the night before.
