One Leg at a Time: A Christmas Story

We recently had snow in Victoria, BC and it inspired this short story. I hope you all are having a nice December and, just think, it’s almost Christmas time!

One Leg at a Time

“Here are your pants and coat,” mom said, handing them both to me. I was eight now, and there would be none of this put on my clothes for me nonsense. It was a one leg at time routine, sure and steady, pulling up the waterproof red pants over my fleece leggings.

Now in the warm outfit, I slowly made my way to the front door as my bulky legs wouldn’t let me go at the quick pace I wanted. Mom had to help this time with putting on my boots as bending over would have thrown off my balance and sent me headfirst into the wooden shoe rack.

First, she put the plastic bags that once held loaves of bread over each socked foot, one at a time. No snow was going to dampen my feet if we could help it. Then I dove my wrapped feet into each boot held in place on the ground by my mom’s solid grip. No need to ask how I knew that grip was such a good one.

A tight tug on the scarf around my neck and hood up, with the itchy sweater already becoming a layer I wanted to disrobe, there was no turning back now. Mom opened the door, and there stood dad, already somehow appearing outside, with his massive black gloves on and the blue slightly-battered plastic sled at his side.

Snow Adventures, Straight Ahead. Photo via Pixabay, CC0 Public Domain.

“Quick you’re letting the cold out,” mom said, and I eagerly took dad’s hand with my mitted one. It disappeared within his grasp, and I tried to hurry after him in this massive outfit that forced my legs so much further apart than usual.

The cold breeze hit my face, and I stopped to look up at the snowflakes coming down from somewhere so much higher than where we were. I wasn’t sure where they came from, but they were magic, I was sure of it. I opened my mouth and caught a flake on my tongue.

“Come on, everyone will be there already,” dad said, tugging me forward. To the hill, we went, with the sled in tow. There was more magic to come, and I just hoped I could see some of it through the wet smeared lenses of my glasses. One leg at a time, I knew I could get there.

 

© 2016 Christy Birmingham

PS I’m honored to have reached Special Agent status at Precinct1313 😉 Thank you again for the award and kind words, ArcaneHalloween. If you are not already following that blog, please check it out.