'Was that chewing tobacco in her mouth?' I wondered. If I was bold enough I would have asked her.
When she spit a glob of it near by feet, my question had been answered.
"We're leaving…now… and it was nice to meet you," I lied motioning for Ellen to follow my lead.
"Yes…it sure was," added Ellen.
When we were on the street heading home, Ellen pinched my arm to get my attention and snarled, "Look what you did! Miss Goody-Two-Shoes…now… we can't go back there anymore…because she'll be waiting for us."
"So...," I said. "Maybe…she'll expect us next week…and…when we don't come…she'll forget all about us."
"AND!" she replied walking ahead of me.
"It means we'll skip next Friday and come back in two weeks to see the ponies," I replied catching up with her.
In two weeks, we came back and petted the ponies. However, it did not last long. The old woman had sold her property and her house was torn down. Eventually, several small homes were built on the property.
Since I never saw the Shetland ponies after that, I dreamed of having one. As for Joey, he sat on Santa's lap asking for a new bike.
On Christmas morning, Joey rushed into the living room looking under the makeshift tree. Mother had created it by cutting several branches from a holly tree growing in our yard. The red berries on the branches along with some used icicles, a few scattered paper angels with one at the top, made it look festive.
When Joey saw what his gift was, he began crying and it was not from joy. He picked up the blue elephant and went outside with it.
Upon hearing the front door slam, I woke up thinking there was a Santa Claus after all and he came right through the front door.
I discovered under the tree a pink, stuffed cat and a yellow sweater. I examined both items, longing for a new dress and a doll with long, blonde hair with blue eyes.
When I heard someone crying on the front porch, I opened the door. There was Joey clutching his blue elephant.
"Joey…what's wrong?" I asked already knowing the answer.
"Santa did not bring me a bike. Instead, he gave me a blue elephant. I didn't ask for a blue elephant. Why did he give me this stupid elephant?"
"I don't know," I mumbled.
Suddenly…he glared at me, "Go away…leave me alone."
I left him on the porch. When Mother got up, I told her about Joey.
She went out on the porch. She sat in the green rocking chair placing Joey on her lap.
"Why didn't Santa bring me a bike?" he whined.
Mother held him close. She told him Santa had given him a unique gift. No one else had a blue elephant. Santa must have given the blue elephant to him, because he was special.
Joey bought it hook, line and sinker. He really believed what Mother told him.
I glanced over at my dumb, little brother sitting next to me.
"It definitely is not Santa Claus," I confirmed.
When I heard something panting near my ear, I panicked. I heard Joey gasp. I wanted to tell him to stay still, but I was too frightened.
Then…I felt a wet tongue on my cheek.
"Chum!" I said hugging the beagle.
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