Every year at Christmas Charlotte would watch as people got into the Holiday spirit.
Decorations adorned every home on her street.
Her own house was filled with cheer and holiday decorations galore.
Even Perry was in the spirit dressing up with a big red hat and long white beard.
But Charlotte did not feel joy.
No matter how many times she heard the song tell her that....."Tis the season to be Jolly"
She did not feel Jolly.
One day she noticed Edgar was wearing a strange hat.
She asked him what the hat meant.
He said "its an elf's hat"
"But you are a gargoyle not an elf" Charlotte said
"Well during the month of December this hat makes me an elf" Edgar said.
"Are elves Jolly?" she asked
"Of course they are" Edgar replied "they work for Santa"
Charlotte had no idea who Santa was.
She decided it would be a good idea to read some of the Christmas books that were in the Library Room.
After the family retired for the night she climbed into a very comfy chair and surrounded herself with
holiday books.
Selecting one with a pretty little girl on the front with the title The Little Match Girl she began to read.
In the dawn of morning there lay the poor little one, with pale cheeks and smiling mouth, leaning against the wall. She had been frozen on the last evening of the year; and the New-year's sun rose and shone upon a little child. The child still sat, holding the matches in her hand, one bundle of which was burnt.
WHAT!
The tears poured from Charlotte's eyes.
What the hell kind of shit is this?
Charlotte thought as she reached for a tissue.
The tears which she could not stop began dripping from her face.
This is not Jolly!
This is not Joyful!
The little girl froze to death!
Throwing the books from the chair Charlotte stormed off to think.
Feeling just awful about the poor little match girl Charlotte sat alone in the dark thinking about her own loneliness.
I must do something she thought.
I want to feel the joy of the season.
She noticed a box sitting on the floor.
On the box was a picture of some sleeping children and creepy fat dude was peeking over the chair at them.
The grin on his face made him look like he was considering having the children for dinner.....
and not as guests!
At first Charlotte thought this was a left over Halloween decoration that was not put away.
But then she read the words on the box and saw that it was about Christmas!
Could it be that Christmas was not only full of cheer but also full of creepy?
Knowing there was only one whom she trusted to tell her the truth she sought out Perry.
She found him by the tree in the family room.
He was trying to decide whether or not this was a tree that he could urinate on.
It was very confusing.
He liked to pee on the trees outside so......
Charlotte asked Perry about the man in the red suit with the evil smile and the sleeping children.
Perry explained that the guy is Santa Clause.
He is the person who brought Perry to this family.
He is Jolly and fat and full of good cheer.
So the creepy guy on the box is Santa?
Charlotte was so surprised.
Perry told her all about Santa and that he is the person she should talk to about her desire to be jolly and joyful and everything but creepy.
He explained that on Christmas Eve after putting the presents under the tree Santa always sits for a bit and goes over his nice list.
"This would be a good time to speak to him" Perry said
But you should really try and find a nice holiday dress so you can maybe look less evil.
Charlotte spent the whole next day searching for something to wear.
When she started to lose hope she thought she could sneak up behind Edgar and steal his hat.
But he caught her and he was not very happy!!
"Go search the attic" he shouted at her.
Taking his advice she climbed into the attic.
And finally.....
She found a lovely dress that was just her size packed into a box with baby clothes and toys.
On Christmas eve she put on her dress and climbed onto the window sill to wait for Santa's arrival.
It seemed like an eternity before she saw the glow and Rudolph's red nose.
She waited patiently as Santa placed the presents under the tree.
She watched as he removed his large red coat and sat down to read his long list.
"Come out little one" Santa said.
Charlotte was filled with fear.
He had known she was watching and waiting.
This guy is really very creepy she thought.
Charlotte went over to the chair and lifted her arms up for Santa to lift her onto his lap.
"What is you want little doll?" he asked
"To be loved" Charlotte said
And was surprised by her words.
All this time she thought she just didn't want to be creepy but really she just wanted to be loved.
She told Santa about the little match girl and how the story made her feel lonely.
Smiling down at her Santa said.....
"Go to sleep tonight little doll. Tomorrow is Christmas. Maybe your wish will come true."
Charlotte sat on the window sill and watched as Santa pulled on his coat.
"Sleep now little doll" he whispered.
So Charlotte laid down on the sill and closed her eyes.
She thought of being loved.
Of being held by little arms.
Charlotte drifted off to sleep with the sound of Santa's sleigh flying through the sky above her house.
To be continued.............
