Santa's Newest Reindeer (6 page)

lated as he moved to the front of the citizenry.

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“We want Bill! We want Bill!” they chorused. Placards on

sticks were being hoisted toward the low-clinging clouds as if

to poke a hole in them. Some were professionally constructed,

and some were made out of cardboard boxes. Some displayed

colorful signs, and others had just black-and-white lettering.

Regardless of their origin, they expressed a solitary commit-

ment to change the proclamation banning the Christmas and

New Year’s observation in Holly Valley.

One of the rabble-rousers banged on the front doors,

demanding to be let in or else he would break the glass. Oth-

ers encouraged him not to resort to violence, as that would give

more reason for the city fathers to stiffen their position. A lone snowball found its target and stuck to the brick façade above the crowd. As Dad stepped up on the park bench, he successfully

calmed the throng by waving his arms back and forth. Others

joined in by whistling and shouting for quiet.

Ellie’s emotions began swelling up in her again. She was

both sad and happy. People should be joyous at this time of

year, but there was so much anger. Yet she was happy that this

moment had arrived so the people could do something about

the city fathers’ proclamation.

I will not let them take Christmas away from my family and

friends,
she thought. The redness rose up her neck and filtered into her face. The few freckles had disappeared, and her blue

eyes moistened like shallow pools.

“Open the doors! Open the doors!” Ellie chanted, raising a

clenched fist in defiance. She pumped her fist, thrusting it far

above her head. Will, seeing her actions, was energized and

joined in the chant and fist pumping. Then Gramps and Grams

began yelling. The movement spread throughout the crowd with

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protestors of all ages participating. Mom and Dad got caught

up in the excitement and joined in. Dad tried to talk over the

chanting crowd, concerned that things might get out of control.

He hollered for Ellie and Will to help him. It took some doing

to calm the throng, but they succeeded. The excitement of the

moment had freed the imprisoned butterflies!

“The doors are scheduled to open in a few minutes. When

we enter, let us do so in an orderly manner. We are not only

representing our cause, but the values we have instilled in our

children as well,” Dad said. Many heads nodded in agreement,

as well as a verbal affirmation.

“We will present our case to them, and let’s all pledge to be

courteous listeners. By the end of the meeting, I think we will

all be thinking about how we are going to celebrate the holidays

in our homes and in our community. This bump-in-the-road

will become history.”

“You got that right!” yelled a voice from the crowd.

The twins were caught up in the spirit of the moment. They

didn’t feel the cold any more. The snow didn’t bother them.

Ellie could hardly wait to get on stage. She had focus and a

full head of steam. Nothing was going to stop her from giving

those city leaders a piece of her mind.

Will was fired up as well. He had not seen Ellie so animated,

and it was contagious.

“Open these doors! Open these doors!” The chant started up

front and raced through the crowd. The surging mass pinned

Ellie and Will and those up front against the glass doors. They

pushed back with all their might. Ellie’s internal struggles had

been replaced with an outer force. And she was up for the fight.

“Open these doors!”

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A short-statured man attired in an ecru-colored service uniform

unlocked the bifold doors from within. The crowd surged for-

ward as if inhaled by the building’s vacuum. Those in front tried to stop, while those at the back of the crowd pushed forward.

The janitor was last seen being carried toward the auditorium

by the wave of humanity. Men, women, and children raced to

their seats, hoping to get the best view of the proceedings. The

city’s most highly attended events included the school’s sport-

ing events, the May Day Parade showcasing floats and bands

from surrounding villages, the Fourth of July celebration at

the fairgrounds, and the city’s lighting of the Christmas tree

in Citizen’s Square—the site of numerous musical and com-

memorative events honoring just about anything and everything.

But the attendance tonight would far exceed any of those!

A spotlight on the stage shone on four empty chairs behind

a white-cloth-draped table.

“Here they come,” someone hollered.

The auditorium quieted, and everyone strained to see

who “they” were. Eyes darted and heads turned in all

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directions. Whispers matured into loud voices with a few

boos
interspersed.

But the city fathers did not emerge from the dark stage

wings to take their designated seats.

Why aren
’
t they here? What happened to them?
Ellie craned her neck, searching for them.
Certainly they would be here. After
all, they are our elected officials and sworn to represent the wishes
of the people. Even my history book says that.
She looked to the rear of the auditorium.

“Where are those chickens?” She poked Will in the ribs,

expecting him to know.

“I dunno. Did you really expect them to be here? You really

are a dreamer,” responded Will, elbowing her in return.

“We want Bill Taylor!” chanted an isolated group in the back.

Soon others chanted. The spectators rose to their feet and began

whistling and stomping. Energy flowed like hot blood through

the provoked mass of citizens. The more stirred up they became,

the hotter the blood coursed through their convictions. The

frenzy was setting the foundation for mob action. The drums

of insurrection beat louder within their collective veins. They

had forgotten about the personal and family values Bill Taylor

had reminded them of earlier.

Mom and Dad looked at each other then gazed at Ellie and

Will. They knew it was time to take action. Gramps and Grams

nodded in silent assent.

Ellie, Will, and Bill sashayed their way through the maze

of bodies cluttering the aisle. Everyone cheered. Goose bumps

coursed down Ellie’s back. She had never heard such a ring-

ing endorsement, let alone any plaudits directed at her. She

blushed with embarrassment and faintly smiled, acknowledging

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them. Dad stopped to let her catch up and hugged her as they

climbed the steps to the stage. They stood bewildered by the

standing ovation. Ellie shrugged her shoulders and leaned into

her dad. He returned the affection and kissed her on the head.

She reached into her core to control the emotions welling up

in her. Not all of the butterflies had escaped.

As Ellie’s father prepared to address his compatriots, a small

figure approached from the right, causing a hush over the crowd.

He was holding an envelope. The little man resembled a troll-

like figure attired in a tan service jumpsuit. Ellie realized it was the same person who had unlocked the doors to the building.

His black dress shoes clicked when he walked, which reminded

her of tap dancing. She’d tried tap dancing lessons once but gave it up. Will said she had two left feet and could only dance in a

circle. The little man grunted, bowed, and gave the envelope to

Ellie, who handed it off to her dad. She stood her ground and

stared back at the elfin until the clicking sound of his shoes

blended into the dark recesses of the stage wing. Dad perused

the letter and read aloud:

We, the duly elected officials of this village, heretofore exercis-

ing and upholding our elected right and privilege, have voted

to defer any discussion opposing said proclamation banning

the public and/or private celebration of Christmas and New

Year’s until the first calendar meeting of the city fathers, which

is scheduled for the first month of the new year. Signed and

sealed this day . . . The City Fathers of Holly Valley.

One could hear a pin drop. The stunned crowd stood silently,

waiting for Ellie and Will’s father to speak. The twins were

bursting with pride and led the applause.

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“I have already shared with you my thoughts on the alder-

men’s actions. I thank you for your civility today. We share a

common bond not only of one another, not only of community,

but of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Dad proudly

looked at Ellie, then at Will, who were sitting on opposite

sides of their dad. Ellie and Will waved their arms and hands

at full length above their heads, encouraging louder applause.

“There is someone here who I would like you to hear. She

is petite, but you know the old saying about what comes in

small packages.”

The audience roared with laughter and began chanting, “Ellie!

Ellie! Ellie!”

Ellie breathed lightly and was mindful of what her English

teacher had coached her—
small sips and open your lips.

Ellie stood up and walked shakily to the podium. She gripped

both sides of the podium for balance and stared out into the

audience. She swallowed a lump in her throat. She had never

seen so many people all in the same space, and they were all

looking at her! But she could do this. She found her mother,

grandparents, and Mrs. Olson in the crowd, and she knew her

father and Will were standing right behind her.

“I don’t speak as well as my dad or mom, or as many of you.

I do not have as many experiences as many of you . . . yet! I do

not have any answers, but I do have some questions for you

to think about after we leave here today.” She looked outward

and spoke in a calm, clear voice.

“Do you see what I see way up in the sky, little lamb? Do

you hear what I hear ringing through the sky, shepherd boy?

Do you know what I know in your palace wall, mighty king?

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Who is sleeping in the night, and who will bring us goodness

and light this Christmas season?”

She looked to her mother, who was dabbing her eyes with

her hanky. Gramps tried to look stoic, but he was caught up

in the moment.

“That’s my granddaughter,” he bellowed.

Ellie caught her breath and concluded. “A wise man taught

me that fear is for cowards. I was raised not to fear, but to

respect, and he told me that he was not raised any differently

by his mom and dad. I fear no coward. I welcome the challenge.

That man is my dad and I love him.”

Wil pounded his chest and saluted her. Her father squeezed

her tightly and kissed the back of her head. Before he could

speak, she continued.

“As sure as I stand before you, each of us will celebrate

Christmas THIS YEAR, as we have done before in our homes

and have shared throughout the valley. I promise you I will not

let them take Christmas from us. I will find a way, and yes,

New Year’s celebrations will come back to Holly Valley—THIS

YEAR. Trust me.”

A tumultuous uproar followed, motivating the crowd to their

feet and charging the stage with chants of, “Ellie for mayor!”

and “Ellie! Ellie! She’s our gal. If she can’t do it, no one can!”

Ellie used the interruption to catch her breath.

“I have one more thing I want to share with you. On my

nightstand is a framed poem my parents gave my brother and

me when we were born. I guess it’s one of those hand-me-down

things. It’s called ‘Don’t Quit.’ Please be patient with me while I read it. So, here goes.”

Unfolding a sheet of paper from her coat pocket, she read:

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When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,