My Short Short for the Day

“Shh! You're making too much noise Lou.” Eddie scolded turning around to face his friend.

“I’m sorry Eddie, I’ll be quiet.” Lou said sheepishly.

Eddie turned back peering into the living room again. “Okay, Santa isn’t looking so let’s go.” Eddie crawled under the table cloth with Lou right behind him and Puggy close on his heels. At the kitchen doorway, they hesitated then rushed into the living room and behind the big couch. Puggy was right behind them panting and snorting.

“Keep that dog quiet.” Eddie said.

“Shh! Puggy. Shh!” Lou whispered. Puggy tilted his head at the sound of his name then began to lick Lou’s face again. Lou giggled in delight until Eddie gave him a stern look. Both Lou and Puggy stopped what they were doing immediately.

Eddie peered around the couch and motioned Lou to move up next to him. “See, Santa is almost done arranging the presents. As soon as he goes into the kitchen we’ll sneak into the sack.” Eddie explained.

“Okay Eddie.” Lou said nodding in agreement. Just then Puggy rushed past them towards the tree.

“Oh, no.” Eddie said grabbing at Puggy as he shot past. They both held their breath as Puggy ran up to Santa.

“Ho, ho, ho. There you are. I was wondering where you had wandered off to.” Santa said merrily as he tied a bright red bow around Puggy’s neck and set him down on a soft dog bed under the tree. Puggy snuggled into his new bed and Santa petted him on the head before walking to the kitchen. Once he had disappeared through the doors, Eddie and Lou rushed over to the red sack and climbed in.

“What about Puggy?” Lou asked.

“He has to stay here.” Eddie said.

“Oh.” Lou said sadly. “I wish I could keep him”

“But then you would be taking away a child's present and that child would be very sad on Christmas morning.” Eddie explained patting his friend on the shoulder.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right Eddie.” Lou said. “I wouldn’t want to make any children sad.”