3 Christmas Crazy Read Online Free PDF

grade.”
    “I kept and cherish every one,” Dad confirmed.
    “How about you, Pappy; did you save all of Dad’s childhood creations?”
    “Your grandma did,” Pappy confirmed. “I’m not really sure what happened to all that stuff after she died. I suppose it’s in the boxes in the attic. I haven’t really bothered with a tree the past few years.”
    Pappy had stopped putting up a tree since my grandmother’s death five years ago. He always joined my dad and me for Christmas dinner, but other than that, he kept pretty much to himself during the holiday season. I wasn’t surprised that Christmas served as a painful reminder of the woman who had loved the season so much, but after five years it felt like it was time to rejoin the fun and festivities.
    “I could use some help with the fund-raiser this year,” I informed Pappy. “With the Zoo opening about the same time as Hometown Christmas, I think I’m going to have my hands full. I was hoping you’d be willing to serve as my co-chair.”
    “Anything for you, sweetheart. What do you need me to do?”
    “Find me a Santa, for one thing. Earl Fielder is going to cover the Santa role for the tree lighting and Village opening, but he’s already informed me that he’s going to be out of town during Hometown Christmas.”
    “Where’s old Earl going? He always plays Santa,” Pappy said. Everyone in town knew that Earl not only played Santa, but in many ways, he was Santa. Not only was he a plump fellow who sported a long white beard, but he went out of his way to make sure everyone’s Christmas wishes came true.
    “I heard his wife is threatening to leave him if he doesn’t go to her sister’s farm in Minnesota this year. Most times she goes alone, but Earl said that this year she’s been quite adamant.”
    “That’s too bad. It won’t be the same without Earl spreading his special brand of Christmas spirit.”
    “I’m not sure the Christmas spirit is what Earl will be spreading this year.” I told them about his blowup at Rosie’s that morning.
    “He seemed okay when I came in,” Dad commented.
    “Gabe intervened and managed to calm him down. It’s not like him to fly off the handle like that.”
    “Maybe his problems with Betty are a bit more serious than simply spending Christmas with her family,” Pappy pointed out. “Marital problems can bring out the worst in a person.”
    “Maybe,” I acknowledged. “Either way, I’m going to need a substitute Santa.”
    “I’m sure I can find someone,” Pappy assured me. “Anything else I can help with?”
    “Actually, I have a list. A long one. Maybe we can get together for lunch tomorrow and go over it.”
    “Rosie’s at noon?”
    “Sounds perfect.”
     
    After a couple of hours, Dad, Pappy, and I stood back to admire our handiwork. The tree was beautiful. It had grown dark while we worked, so Dad lit the tree and some candles and then turned off the lights. Soft Christmas jazz serenaded us in the background as we curled up on the sofa and told stories of Christmases past. At some point my dad ordered pizza and opened a bottle of wine. Between the three of us and the five dogs, we finished off two pizzas plus an order of bread sticks.
    “I remember your first Christmas,” my dad began as we sipped the last of the wine. “I was a new dad and so excited about starting new traditions. I took you into town and picked out your Christmas stocking, as well as a truckload of Santa gifts for under the tree.”
    “Grandma made you a red velvet dress to wear to church,” Pappy added. “It had white lace and red bows. I remember it like it was yesterday.”
    “I kept that dress,” Dad informed me. “Along with that first stocking and the stuffed puppy your mom sent you, which you dragged around the house until you were six.”
    “Mom gave me Mr. Floppy?” I asked. I remembered the puppy but assumed my dad had bought him for me.
    “She did. She stopped by that first Christmas Eve. She