“Do you also know I have a bunch of presents in my floating sleigh?” he asked.
“Yes!” went up a general cry.
“So clam up and play along so I can tell you the tale of Santa’s Most Difficult Choice.”
The children settled some and, among a cross-section of parents, gathered ‘round. Colin made it almost to the end of “Once upon a time” before my stomach began to tumble. “When Santa was very young,” he went on, “and very handsome, he had many, many reindeer in his stable, and he liked some of them very much.”
Colin made a point to turn and favor Joaquin and me with A Very Meaningful Look. The look I threw toward Joaquin like a hot potato said, Please tell me he’s kidding with this. His own incredulous, wordless reply made it clear no such reassurance was forthcoming.
Colin sallied forth. “
