An Elf's Ride

Bennie bounced on the seat. He could see the houses coming into view. He clapped his hands and couldn’t contain his toothy grin.

“Settle down,little elf. We’ll be there in a minute.” Santa shook his head. “It’s not all it’s cracked up to be, you know.
”
“Cookies? Hot cocoa? All night long? How could that be bad, Santa?”

“Well, the first house is yours, then. Two boys and two girls.” Santa pulled a large sack from the sleigh.

Bennie slid down the chimney and felt something terribly wrong. With a holler he flew back up.

“A fire place,” Santa smiled.

“That smarted!” Not to be thwarted, Bennie went back down, careful this time to keep his feet on the sides of the chimney.

For a while, Bennie relished in the cookies and cocoa and milk left out for them. By midnight, he started to get a stomach ache. The cocoa sloshed inside him. The speed of the sleigh made his stomach feel worse, but he wanted to go with Santa again.

“Told ya.” Santa chuckled. “It’s not worth it if you don’t love it.”

Determined, Bennie took another large sack and went down the chimney full of soot
.
“Santa?”

“Huh?” Bennie started.

“I love you, Santa,” a sleepy voice mumbled from the couch.

“I love you, too,” Bennie whispered, and covered small Cindy with her blanket.

“Did you know about Tony? He was born yesterday.”

“Your baby brother has presents, too.” Bennie kissed her curly blonde head.

“I love you,” she hugged him in her sleep, smiling.

“Santa!” he yelled after bounding up the chimney. “It is worth it! This is the greatest job of all!”

“It truly is.” Santa chuckled.

Word Count: 281