The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

THE HERALD Saturday December 23 1989 Page A Christmas story It doesnt have to be cold at Christmastime By COLIN GIBSON It was a cold December night Colder than normal for this time of year But the two children alone in the house were learning to cope with the cold and the absence of their parents Things had been this way for about two months now Ever since their father had been laid off from work Laid off from the job he had worked at for years Laid off from the plant he had entered as a young man with a future only to emerge as an aging and worried unemployed 38yearold with the responsibility of a young family and the daytoday reality of trying to make ends meet Jennifer a precocious and sometimes temperamental 12- yearold had sensed for some time that something had changed in the familys wellbeing It went beyond the fact that the thermometer was constantly being turned down or that her mom was now working nights as a cleaning lady and her dad as a waiter in the hotel Something was missing There wasnt as much laughter in the house anymore Oh sure her mom and dad still laughed at her dumb jokes and her stories about classroom pranks but somehow the laughter seemed forced She wanted to ask her parents what was wrong and even offer her help But she felt that would be even dumber than some of her jokes because after all she was only 12 years old Still she wished there was something she could do to bring things back to the way they were Especially when she heard her mom crying softly late at night But for now she would do her part and that meant looking after her younger brother A nine-year- old hellion who answered to the name of Michael and who to her utmost embarrassment and chagrin was actively engaged in the pursuit of becoming the first cowboy on their block To state that Michael was a free spirit would be grossly underestimating his capabilities He was a young boy thoroughly enamoured with life His laugh was infectious his charm all- encompassing and his guile at times even intimidating for one so young He was also an intelligent boy who realized that something drastic had altered the familys previous state of harmony He also realized there was little he could do about the situation so he continued with his devilmaycare attitude and his wholehearted enthusiasm for life Jennifer and Michael had just put on their pyjamas and were heading to the kitchen for their ritual latenight snack when there was a knock on the front door The siblings looked at each other and the space between them was filled with the question that hadnt even been uttered Who could that be Mom and dad GEORGETOWN SPA FITNESS CENTRE EXCLUSIVELY YOURS 8771924 werent expected home for at least a couple of hours and they hadnt mentioned that someone would be coming over After an uncomfortable several minutes the knock sounded again- and Jennifer took charge Ill see who it is she said Mike you stay behind me and keep your mouth shut its likely just someone looking for direc tions The pair edged somewhat ner vously to the door and Jennifer in ched it open just wide enough so she could see the source of the knocking A young man stood on the front porch and he was smiling down at the apprehensive pair of eyes that looked up at him through the crack in the partially open door For the first time in a long time Jennifer was practically speechless He appeared to be in his mid- twenties was about medium height cleanshaven and had light- brown hair that poked out in several directions from beneath his toque Yes asked Jennifer ten tatively Can I help you Then from somewhere behind the young girl another squeaked up What do you want mister The young man chuckled and said in a quiet warm voice Hi my name is Jonathan You must be Jennifer and Ill bet the owner of that manly voice must be your brother Mike I dropped in to the hotel and your father asked if I would stop by just to make sure the two of you were alright Everythings okay isnt if The warmth in the young mans voice dispelled any of Jennifers worries and relaxing visibly she replied Yes were alnght Dad shouldnt worry about us though because I can take care of things Ive been doing it for awhile now Well Im sure you can said the young man But your dad also sent over some Christmas presents and if youll let me Ill get them out of my car and put them under the Christmas tree For the first time in a long time Jennifer was practically speechless Her parents hadnt said anything to her about more presents In fact her mother had told her that the meagre few presently resting under the tree in the living room were all that would be arriving this year because ac cording to her mom Times were tough She hesitated only briefly before replying After all she told herself the young man had said he was a friend of her dads he did seem nice enough and the prospect of more gifts to open on Christmas morning swung her decision in the young mans favor Sure she said You get the presents and Ill make some hot chocolate Mike and I were just go ing to have some anyway This declaration mobilized the three of them The young man clomped off the porch for the gifts Jennifer sped to the kitchen to heat up some milk for the hot chocolate and Michael rushed to his bedroom to retrieve his cowboy hat and set of holsters with the Lone Ranger sixshooters The better to defend the old homestead he figured A short time later with what seemed to be a veritable treasure trove of presents tucked hither and thither around the Christmas tree Fashions For The Young At Heart 115 MAIN ST S GEORGETOWN from Knox Church 8732851 OPEN 7 8732151 Guelph St Sal 6 Sun Holidays Have an oldfashioned Christmas with joys to be remembered and love to be cherished long afterward To All Our Customers and Friends We Wish The Seasons Best J Photography 7 Hlllilde Drive Georgetown 8772322 POSSIBLY THE WORLDS BESTBARBOUE CHICKEN FRIES HONOLULU SPECIAL 8 5 Complete Quarter Chicken Dinner 232 ST itooifctov SUN CLOSEO the three of them sat crosslegged on the living room floor their hands cupped around steaming mugs of hot chocolate Jennifer had just finished her first sip of hot chocolate when she heard what sounded like a large truck pulling up beside the house Looking out the living room win dow she sow a fuel truck edge by the corner of the house too old to believe In Santa Thats funny she mused Dad said we wouldnt be getting any fuel for awhile and thats why we have to keep the thermometer down I wonder what that guy is do ing Oh said the young man with a hint of laughter in his warm voice your dad likely just wanted the house to be warm for Christmas Anyway since the fuel man is here why dont you turn up the thermometer a bit so we can all be comfortable For some unknown reason Jen nifer did as she was bid and return ed to her sitting position directly in front of the young man She did have some questions though and she felt now was the time to put them to the young stranger How long have you known my dad she asked beginning the in terrogation Oh replied the young man Ive known both your mom and dad for a long time Theyre good people and whenever I get a chance to help them out I do what I can Besides its the Christmas season and everyone should try just that much harder to help out friends and neighbors Your mom and dad have had a pretty rough time of it lately and I just want them to know they stilt have friends who care But where did the presents come from asked Jennifer Well thats sort of a long story said the young man sipp ing tentatively at his hot chocolate It might best be answered if I can ask the pair of you some questions Would that be alright Sure Jennifer and Mike responded in unison Okay do you believe in Santa Claus I do piped up Mike I mean if Continued on Page 16 Bulk Foods FOR ALL YOUR BAKING NEEDS 8730442 I Campbell pass- House Gallery 115 MAIN ST S GEORGETOWN Above McCarthys Tea Room 8730674 WESTERN carpet VINYL BR0A0L00M VINYL TILE AREA RUGS FULL INSTALLATION DEPT FAST FRIENDLY SERV 184 GUELPH ST 8732355 KENNEDY RD BRAMPTON On this most joyous occasion we would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to all our customers Hope your season is merry and bright 235 ST BESIDE BURGER KING that will to to your