The day of the Festival finally arrived. All of the booths and tents were up. John and Joanna Swensen had tables set up in their private dining room for all of the dessert auction items. Cliff Magnuson had come by the Café to set up the microphone and PA system for the auction.
The Workshop was set up, and the photographer was arranged. The photographer was actually a high school National Honor Society member who was participating in the 4-H Photography show. The NHS sponsor required each member to perform a certain amount of volunteer work each year, and this would fulfill the requirement.
All Mike had to do was ride in Santa’s sleigh (a 1957 Chevy Bel Air convertible provided by Rick Murchison’s Texaco as part of the classic car show), waving to kids and tossing out peppermints. Janet would meet him at the football field and lead him to the Workshop to meet the children.
At 6:00, everyone involved with the parade was at Swensen’s Café. The procession began with one of the Newtonberg Fire Department’s trucks, sounding its horn to announce the beginning of the parade. After that, there were floats from various local organizations: the Kiwanis Club, the Lions, 4-H. The Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. Other groups fell into place behind those until the Newtonberg High School marching band brought up the rear, playing “Here Comes Santa Claus”, accompanied by Santa in his “sleigh.”
Mike was inside the Café, hiding out in the office so the Cub Scouts, Brownies, and other children involved in the parade wouldn’t see Santa. He would climb into the car at the last minute, seen only by the Swensens, Janet Carmichael, and Gene Young, who was driving since Rick Murchison was busy filling in for Al.
He’d managed to make it through the weeks leading up to the parade without totally humiliating himself in front of Janet. In fact, he’d begun to feel more comfortable around her. He no longer got choked up, and he could answer her questions with words longer than one syllable. He could look her in the eye without his stomach knotting up. He’d actually begun to look forward to seeing her each day.
There was a knock on the door. John Swensen stuck his head in the room. Seeing Mike in his full Santa suit for the first time, he smiled.
“My word, Mike. You’re the spitting image of old Saint Nick himself. It’s like looking in a mirror.”
Mike gave him a grin. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You should. I bet Jo wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between us if she walked in right now. Well, at least until you spoke.” He chuckled. “Anyway, Janet sent me to fetch you. The marching band is just about to start playing and you’ll head out a minute or so after that.”
Mike put the hat on his head and grabbed the bag of peppermints. “Thanks. I’m on my way.”
John left and Mike made his way toward the back door of the Café, where the Bel Air was parked.
Janet met him there. “You ready?”
“I think so.”
“Just remember. Don’t worry about saying anything right now. Save your voice. They can’t hear you over the band anyway. Just wave and throw out the peppermints. The children will be happy enough just to see you for right now. They’ll hear you later at the Workshop.”
“Got it.”
“And Mike?”
He looked into her eyes. “Yes?”
She took his hand and gave it a squeeze. “Thank you for this. The children really look forward to it. And since Al couldn’t be here to do it, I’m glad Missus Johnson talked you into it.”
He swallowed hard. “It didn’t take much convincing. You know I’d do anything for Missus Johnson.”
She smiled. “I know.”
Just then the marching band struck up the first chords of “Here Comes Santa Claus.”
“Hey, Santa!” called Gene. “Are we headed down Santa Claus Lane or are we waiting for Rudolph and the others?”
Mike gave Janet a smile. “Let’s go.” He climbed into the back seat, settling onto the trunk with the bag of candy. “Dash away all!”
Gene rolled his eyes. “You got it, big guy.”
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