A little while later, I woke up again to the sound of the chair creaking. Raising my head, I saw my grandmother rocking slowly in the chair. Her kind eyes watching me patiently. Quickly scurrying to the back end of my bed, I screamed….

“Alex, please calm down,” My grandmother said.

I screamed again and again and again.

After a few minutes, I settled down

“Now that that is all done dearie, are you willing to listen to me without causing such ruckus?”

“Choking back some tears, I nodded.”

“Okay, that’s much better.” My grandmother began, her voice softening. “I missed you Alex, I really have.”

“Where are you, what happened to you. You disappeared without a trace, just like Grandfather.”

“I know Alex, I know. I just got so lonely after grandfather left. I know that I had you and your father, but I missed your grandfather so much. As you know he disappeared two years ago on this very day.”

“How can I forget?”

“Well, your grandfather appeared to me last year, as I’m now appearing to you.”

“I suppose you want me to join you and grandpa?”

“No. Alex. Your place is with your father, he needs someone to take care of him.”

“But what about you and Grandfather? Dad and I both need you back.”

“Your Grandfather and I have important work to do. One day you will understand. But for now, you will have to take my word for it.”

“More important than me?” I whimpered.

“Alex, you have to understand, your grandfather and I will always love you, but now we have many others to take care of and today is our busiest day if the year.”

“Are you saying Grandfather is Santa Claus?’

“Now Alex, you know I can’t tell you that.”  Grandmother smiled. “Just know that I will always be watching over you and that I will always love you. Now it is time for me to go and for you to wake up and get ready for school. It’s best not to keep your father waiting.”

“But I need you…” I cried, but this time Grandmother began to fade. Feeling the room begin to spin, I laid back down and listened as the rocky of the chair slowly wane.

That is how I remember this particular year went. Everyone I told is convinced that it was just a dream and that it was my way of coping with my grandparents’ disappearance. Perhaps they’re right, though I can’t help but wonder if Grandma, really did fall for Santa Claus.

The End