Rides in the Sleigh

DIMENSION: THE NORTH POLE

Kris stayed beside his father’s bed. It had happened only one month before Christmas Eve, and Santa Claus couldn’t even handle loading the sleigh then. His mom got his father some water, helping him sit up to get a drink. They had some long, difficult discussions. His dad had been a great Santa Claus, but time was calling him onward. With Kris' mom’s lack of participation, the last few Christmases had been too hard. Tonight was Christmas Eve, and he wasn’t going to make it.

In their dimension, it would be a day of grief and depression. In Carrie's dimension, no one would have even known whether he came or not.

No, no. Kris had known the day would be coming, but he had hoped it was further on in the future. Where he would have that branded white beard look. Where he could pack in some cookies and actually gain some jolly weight. Instead, he would be in a skinny Santa suit, getting over acne. Not a good picture for Santa Claus.

Kris rebutted several times, but he could see the truth. The current Santa Claus wasn’t going to make it much longer.

“Kris.” His mother touched his shoulder. “You’re not alone.”

“I will be.” It slipped out before Kris could catch it. This was more than about the reign as Santa Claus.

“The elves will be here still. He’s a fighter. He could survive,” his mother said, her voice slightly wavering. “Nothing is forever, Kris. Now take his hand, just in case this is it. Kris!”

Kris ran outside into the snow and kept running, letting it overwhelm him until it was past his waist. Too cold to go on, he had hoped it would diminish the fright he felt. Kris was about to attain the magic of Santa Claus, but he could lose so much more.

His father. He reached his hands into the snow, knowing that Mrs. Claus never lived long without him. At this rate, Mr. and Mrs. Claus would both be gone before Christmas. The people who raised him. The people who loved him. His family.

Kris would be the loneliest Santa Claus that ever lived if they didn’t pull through the change. There would be no twenty years of waiting, and it was coming whether he liked it or not. He stayed out for several minutes in the bitter cold until he heard his mother call out to him. She shouldn’t be out here. She’ll go even faster. Kris turned around and started heading back to her. “Go back inside. The weather isn’t good for you.”

She said, “Mrs. Claus will be gone soon enough. Santa Claus is almost gone. Go inside.” His mother was silent a moment, giving him time to digest the news. “I know that your heart is hurting. This is something everyone has to deal with at some point.” She reached out to him, giving him a hug. He could feel her power pouring into him. “I don’t want you to be here alone. You need to find your Mrs. Santa Claus.”

“She has to come before I complete my first year.” Mrs. Claus knew it, but maybe her mind was already fading.

“You cannot be Santa Claus this year,” she said softly. “The elves need to mourn, you are too young, and it’s only right. But next year, you will be a great Santa Claus. I know it, and I know you can get your Mrs. Claus. Don’t lose her to the darkness coming.” She patted his cheek softly, but her spirit was already fading. “I am going to lie down now. Nothing else needs to be said.”

Nothing did. Kris helped her through the snow, and set her down next to his father. It was tough to tell when his mother finally passed on since she seemed at peace as soon as she lay next to his dad.

Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. Never one without the other. Kris informed the elves, and everything stopped. No shoes were being threaded, and not a mechanical toy sounded. The whole dimension was silent, except for a few sounds of remorse.

There was a great chance that they might not make it, but even if they did, the magic of Christmas was now gone.

***

DIMENSION: CARRIE’S DIMENSION

Kris arrived at two AM in Carrie's world. He could already feel the darkness of the world coming down. He would need to stay closer to Carrie, lest her merriment wane and her suitability as his partner disappear through the difficult time. Carrie was sleeping in a chair, all dressed up in the glittery sweater he had picked for her this year. He moved closer to her. “Carrie Childers?”

Carrie opened her eyes slowly, and smiled with adoration. “Kris?”

“Yeah. Some plans have changed though,” he said. “We need to talk.”

They both sat in his sleigh, warm and cozy. Kris had a festive white sweater and cap, but his eyes didn’t seem to sparkle the same way as last Christmas. “What is it you want to talk about?” Carrie asked, knowing something was wrong.

“Santa Claus is dead.” The statement was blank. Pronounced. Kris had ducked his head, looking downward. “He was loading the sleigh, and got sick. Mrs. Claus passed a few minutes afterward.”

Kris was trying to keep his words tight, but his hands were clenching the reins so hard they were red and trembling. As sad as it was that the magical figure of a jolly man had ceased to exist, that wasn’t the center of it. Kris had lost both his mother and father tonight. Carrie watched his reindeer come over to the sleigh and lay its head on Kris’s lap. “I’m alright, Dougie. I'll keep hope.” He patted his reindeer on the head and sent it away. His eyes were watery, and he had no qualms about letting it show. “This Christmas, Santa isn’t coming. If your friends and family start acting weird, don’t blame them. If you have anger and hopelessness in your heart that you can’t explain, be careful. Don’t be afraid to cry or show emotion.” He cleared his throat. “I will be back soon. Have faith that I will be back.”

Carrie wanted to say that she would have faith, but she wouldn’t even remember him after that night. She didn’t want to interrupt him. He needed to let everything he had out. From a small bag behind him, he took out a strange rose. It was winter outside, but it looked like it was in summer’s full bloom. “This is a Christmas rose. It's from my home.” He wiped his eye as he gestured for her to come closer. “Keep this as carefully as you do the bell. As long as you have it in your possession, you will remember me.”

Before she could nod, he handed her the rose and moved toward directing the reins.

Carrie left the sleigh and he took off. The merry and cheery feelings from the sleigh were gone. Kris hadn’t said much about why her friends and family would act weird, or the warning about her own emotions. There must be more to Santa Claus than a person freely giving presents. Next time she saw him, she knew he would tell her more. Right now, he needed to grieve for his loss. Carrie didn’t expect to see him until next year.

She had never been more wrong. He showed up twice more. Each time, he took her riding across the sky, but didn’t say anything.

Then, it happened. The third night he came to see her. He glanced at her over a cup of warm cocoa. They were in his sleigh, both enjoying the creamiest cup of cocoa she had ever tasted.

“So, Kris. I don’t want to seem unkind, but you sure do like hanging out and riding with me randomly.” Carrie cleared her throat. “Is there a reason?”

Kris cleared his throat even louder. “There is, yeah. I need to ask something of you.”

He needed something of her? He should have said so earlier. She would help him in any way she could.

“I need you to become my Mrs. Claus.”