My Secret Santa"

An unexpected gift from a Secret Santa arrived,

On Christmas morning at 9:45.

I looked around as I thought,

How the devil did that get here?

Back when I delivered mail,

We'd have already begun drinking beer.

When I read the card which was attached,

It read, We don't drink beer anymore,

Thank you for everything you've ever done for me,

I hope this evens up our score.

I was completely at a loss,

Who could have dropped this at my door?

I then opened the package,

So I might find out more.

When I discovered the contents,

I thought I was losing my mind.

Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars,

Was banded inside the box

All denominations were Fifties and Hundreds,

I felt like I had become Fort Knox!

Why would anyone send this to me?

There had to be a catch?

That's a whole lot of money,

Could this be a test?

My heart and mind were racing,

I was becoming filled with glee!

My heart was going 130,

My mind was on a spending spree!

I began looking for the hidden camera,

This had to be a practical joke.

That comment about drinking beer though,

Besides, I'm just an ordinary bloke.

Who could have sent this? I wondered again,

Sure I sometimes help folks, but still,

Nowhere near the neighborhood,

Of three quarters of a mil.

750 grand, sure is a lot of dough.

Who even has that kind of money,

Of all the people I know?

Even if someone I know has it,

Why would they send it to me?

To repay me for all I had done?

Was this gift a curse to ruin me?

I decided to take a look at,

The other side of the coin.

There was no postmark,

It could have come from Des Moines.

I was at a total loss,

My mind only drawing blanks.

I didn't know anyone with this wealth,

This had to be an elaborate prank!

It was then that I saw movement,

Out of the corner of my eye.

A most beautiful woman was there,

I couldn't help but wonder why.

She was standing there watching me,

Her eyes were open wide.

I didn't at once recognize her,

This fact I truly hate to confide.

Then I recalled when we'd first met,

She had looked so sad and forlorn.

She had been standing all alone,

In the cold rain of the storm.

I couldn't leave her standing there,

She obviously had no where to go.

So I turned my car around,

Then drove up to her real slow.

I turned up the heater.

It was nice and warm inside,

I did what anyone would have,

I asked if she needed a ride?

She was inside my warm car,

In what seemed two seconds flat!

She was beauty queen beautiful,

There was never a doubt about that!

After her teeth stopped chattering,

Was when she began to talk.

She said it hadn't looked like rain,

When she'd decided to take a walk,

I asked where she was from,

She replied just a ways up the road.

She declined my offer to drive her home,

As we approached my humble abode.

I said, It doesn't look like much,

Mainly because it isn't."

Told her she should take a nice hot bath,

As she now didn't seem so distant.

I'll find something for you to wear,

While I launder your clothes.

That's when she looked up at me,

Smiled and told me her name was Rose.

It's my pleasure to meet you Rose,

My friends all call me Geno,

Tell me, is this the first time,

You've ever been to El Segundo?

She then asked me,

What had given her away?

It was the first time in my life,

I didn't know what to say.

So I told Rose, I don't know,

I just have my ways.

I see transient people,

What seems like every day.

Where is it that you're going to,

Do you need a place to stay?

It was then she smiled a smile,

That would've lit up any room.

She said she had just arrived today,

That she'd be a big star soon.

She stated this as if it were fact,

I had no reason to doubt her.

Lord knows she had the looks,

With wit, charm, and class about her.

As she soaked in a hot bath,

I gathered up some old clothes.

Something struck me about her,

I most assuredly liked Miss Rose.

There was something about her aura,

In the way she carried herself.

Confident but far from pompous,

She didn't try to be someone else.

Rose had more substance to her,

She wasn't all about her looks.

There are times when I sense things,

You can't learn from reading books.

When Rose reappeared,

Wearing old sweat pants and a flannel.

I knew I was looking at more woman,

Than most any man can handle.

Including myself?

I knew you would ask.

I'm happy to inform you,

I've always risen up to the task.

Later on that evening,

As we were laying down for the night.

Something within Rose,

Wasn't sitting just right.

She said don't sleep on the couch,

Come join me in your bed.

I asked her if she was sure,

As I was a far cry from dead.

Rose asked, "would you rather sleep on the couch,

When you can sleep with me instead?"

I certainly could not ever,

Turn such an invitation down.

After we had made love,

I knew my heart to her was bound.

"Oh What a Night!",

The Frankie Valli song.

Became my permanent earworm,

From that wonderful night on.

This song continuously,

Plays non-stop in my mind.

Just as Miss Rose,

Became my favorite of all-time.

The tv news often says,

Details at eleven.

When I awoke the next morning,

I thought I had died and gone to heaven.

As I awakened from my sleep,

Rose was in my arms.

I fell in love with her,

I had to tell Rose so.

She said that she loved me too,

That I was her guardian angel.

I'm going to be a big star,

Despite the web that entangles.

Rose stay as long as you want,

As long as is needed.

We then made sweet love,

Until all of our energy was depleted.

To my infinite delight,

Now, my Rose had returned.

Seems she'd become a huge star,

With lots of money to burn.

One very valuable lesson,

From this romance I have learned.

Don't act like a big baby,

Should you ever feel spurned.

How can you love somebody,

If you stand in the way of their dream?

Chasing your dream is top on the list,

To deny them this is just selfish and mean.

You might meet your lover again,

At some point in the future.

So never mess with their mind,

Don't leave their heart in need of sutures.

All good things will come,

In God's perfect timing.

If we allow Him,

To do all of the aligning.

With Rose standing before me,

I again didn't know what to say.

This was the second time,

Rose had made me this way.

I said, "Rose, how are you?

You are looking so fine.

You're as beautiful as ever,

It's been a long time."

Then Rose walked over to me,

Led me back into my house.

She bluntly said, "Geno,

I want you for my spouse."

To say that I was shocked,

Hell, I almost fainted.

"Before I give my answer,

Can we first get reacquainted?"

She burst out laughing then said,

"That's why I love you!

Your great sense of humor,

With those good looks too!"

I asked if she'd left the money,

She said, "It was to be a distraction,

So I could change clothes to become,

Your fateful attraction."

She tore off the dress she was wearing,

To reveal what she wore underneath.

She'd put on the same sweat pants and flannel,

As she wore the night that we did meet.

That this beautiful lady had planned out,

This entire romantic scene for me.

I was utterly flattered,

Flabbergasted and extremely pleased.

She told me she was in town,

To unveil her "Walk of Fame" star.

Thought she'd pay me a visit,

As it wasn't very far.

"Oh, I see now." I said,

My love-filled heart was sinking.

I mistakenly thought you loved me,

What in the world was I thinking?

It was then that Rose did,

The most amazing thing.

Reaching into her pocket,

She withdrew two wedding rings.

Placing a gold band on my finger,

Rose said, "Geno, I want to be your wife.

Will you my darling,

Take me as your bride?"

Placing the other ring on her finger,

I said, "Rose, in you I must confide.

If this had all been a joke,

I would have ran away and died."

"I can see the love in your eyes,

I truly love your charm and wit."

Rose replied, "I know you love me too,

I think we are a perfect fit."

Those were our vows to each other,

Simple, plain, and honest.

If lovemaking becomes an Olympic sport,

Rose would gold medal, no contest.

Then Rose asked me,

If I still had a car.

Would I drive her over,

To see her "Walk of Fame" star?

She told me after we do this,

We'll go on our honeymoon.

Said she had the perfect place,

As she owned a private lagoon.

It turns out my Secret Santa,

Is actually a Secret Mrs. Santa.

On our way to her lagoon,

We had a layover in Atlanta.

Both of us had friends there,

In that Georgia town.

So for a day or two,

We decided to stick around.

Rose was asked to do a radio interview,

That went over very well.

Someone phoned in to invite her over,

It was the owner of "Tattletale."

That her many fans love and adore her,

Was plain for all to see.

It was also very humbling to think,

My Rose had chosen me.

Now it's time for Mrs. Santa and I,

To go away and have some elves.

So we can keep those toys stocked,

On all those Toys R Us shelves.

So have yourself a very, merry Christmas!

A happier , more fulfilling New Year!

Yes, I love Miss Rose,

To her I am eternally endeared.

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Gene Fowler Jr

@pizzarro

Ravenswood, WV USA

Gene Fowler Jr has not written a story.