Christmas Ills and Chills

Santa gets sick. 300-word flash

Christmas Ills and Chills

“There’s something wrong with Santa,” said Bernard, his chief elf.
“What do you mean?”
“He’s talking through his nose. I think he has a code; I mean a cold.”
“I better look into it,” the missus said as she bustled to his side.

“You have a temperature, you’re burning up! I’ll be painting your chest with peppermint menthol tonight…” his wife said.
“But tonight is Christmas Eve! I must do my Ride. I can’t disappoint the good boys and girls!” Santa wheezed.
“Christmas will have to be cancelled. Your health is more important!”
“I’ve never been unable to do Christmas before! The ride must go on!”
“I can do it,” said a voice. Santa looked up blearily to see Bernard in the doorway.
“Perfect, if anyone could take my place, Bernard can!”

“I’ll whip you up a red suit,” Mrs. Claus offered.
“It wouldn’t feel right. I’ll go as I am.”
“Let him do it his way, I know I always have.”
“You better take a preventative,” another voice said. Ralph, the druggist elf had heard about Santa and had come with a remedy for him. After dosing Santa, he made Bernard take a spoonful too.
Both of them made faces at the taste, but as everyone knows, the worse it tastes, the better it works!

Santa went to sleep. But Bernard had too much to do! He supervised the loading of the gift sack and the preparation of the sled and reindeer.
Last but far from least, he stocked up on Christmas magic dust for the trip. At last, all was ready! Bernard climbed into the sled, gathered the reins and yelled: “Ho, Ho, Ho; followed by naming all the reindeer in order from front to back.
“Good luck, Bernard!” the elves yelled in unison.