The Santa Caper

Christmas week was busy for Dr. Patty. Everyone brought in the new pets they wanted to have checked out before Santa presented them to their kids. It was always a fun time of year and Patty couldn’t have done it without her new Receptionist/Assistant/Veterinarian Tech. Yes, Holly had been a God-send and though she had only worked in the office for the last three months, she was irreplaceable. She did more than the other 4 workers combined. And so it was with a glint in her eye that she planned to ask Holly to become a full-time employee at her practice. Patty would tell her Temp agency that she had found a permanent worker.

Dr. Patty didn’t know much about Holly. They were usually so busy, that they rarely got a chance to talk about anything other than the animals. Patty knew she was a hard worker, and a single parent. If anything, she knew health benefits and a steady paycheck should be a welcome present this Christmas season. As she is about to enter the lobby, to ask Holly to work full time, she hears her crying on the telephone.

“Please don’t put us out Mr. Baker. I promise. I will have the rent money. I know I told you that last month, but my car broke down and if I hadn’t used the money for that, I couldn’t have driven to work. If I hadn’t shown up to work, I would have lost my job. If I lost my job- well, you see where this is going. Can you please just give me till the end of the week? Please Mr. Baker, It’s Christmas. My kid and I can’t be out on the street at Christmas time. Mr. Baker, Mr. Baker….”

But it was too late, he’d already hung up. Holly threw on her coat, never looking back, and ran out the clinic door. She yelled a quick, “Got to go Miss. Patty, I Need to pick up my kid early from daycare. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Holly never saw Patty standing there. She wanted to try to get her kid from across town and then get back to her rental home before he put a lock on the door.

Dr. Patty was stunned. She had no idea that Holly was in desperate need of money. Sure she refused to go out for lunches, and always brought a brown bag. But come to think of it, Dr. Patty had never even seen her eat. Not once in three months.

Patty walks around the desk area and looks in the trash can. Sure enough, there is a bag but not a single crumb, zip lock bag, or any evidence of food anywhere to be found. The girl wasn’t eating. How could she have missed that?

Patty thinks to herself. What could she do to help Holly? Holly was too proud to let on about her financial situation; that much was clear. Then it came to her. She picked up the phone and hit star 69 to redial the last number. When a man answered, she asked for a Mr. Baker.

Holly tried to keep a happy face on for her son’s sake. She was scared that when she got home, she’d find a locked door and knew she had nowhere to go. As she pulled up in her driveway, she started shaking. There was Mr. Baker hammering something into her door. Probably an eviction notice, she thought. But at least he was still there! Maybe he’d let her go in and get their things. They could sleep in the car until she found a new place.

It was then that he stepped back from the door and she couldn’t believe her eyes! He was hanging up a wreath, and he was smiling! And in her window she could see a Christmas tree lit up inside.

“Merry Christmas, Ms. Holly. Welcome Home!” said Mr. Baker

“Oh thank you Mr. Baker. Thank you for changing your mind. I promise I’ll find the money for rent by Friday. You’re a good man, Mr. Baker. Thank you, thank you!” Holly cried out as she as she pulled out her son from the car seat.

“Now, now Ms. Holly, don’t you start crying on me again. And as much as I’d like to take credit for this, I can’t. I’m a business man. I got bills to pay too. So, I’m not the one you should be thanking. It looks like you’ve got your very own Santa looking out for you. I just received an anonymous check for all your back rent, and for one entire year upfront. So it looks like you’re paid up until next Christmas!”

Holly couldn’t believe it. Her knees shook and she fell to the steps. As she sat there holding her son in her hands and thanking God above, Mr. Baker drove away. A few minutes later, Holly walked in and screamed.

There under the Christmas tree were boxes and boxes of toys for her son, new clothes and shoes in her size, and a tiny little puppy with a red cape around its neck. The dog’s collar spelled SANTA.

And as Dr. Patty drove quietly away down the street, she knew she had just pulled off her best Christmas caper yet!