Chapter 78

“They’re right, Santa,” said Joaquin, stepping in. “You can have more than one favorite. I can; I do. Anyone can. And if you choose both reindeer, think how much faster everyone will get their presents!”

This was loudly agreed upon as the best strategy by the audience, and Colin mercifully took his cue and hefted his bag of goodies out of the boat. Once everyone in his audience had been handed a present, Colin reached to the bottom of the bag. He withdrew three identical, small boxes, stuffed them in a coat pocket, then handed the empty bag to one of his sisters for gathering all the wrapping from the kids who were too young to wait until they got back to the house to rip into their packages.

“Okay, reindeer,” Colin said to me and Joaquin in his on-stage voice, “you heard the kids—both of ya get in the boat. I mean, sleigh. It’s Christmas Eve, after all; we have a lot still to do tonight.”