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p12 weekender december 12 1987 short story contest santa finds a willing young helper by daisy ip sunlight pierced through the cracks in the blind and made peculiar striped shadows on the whitewashed walls of the room a pair of large brown eyes peered cautiously over bedsheets that seemed to have been bleached several times then making sure that she was not being observed the small girl threw off her covers and jumped out of bed her robe hung on her bloated yellow body like a neglected gar ment on its hanger she seemed even more insignf icant than usual this morning as she slouched slightly from the pain that con stantly cut through her grossly protruding abdomen despite this her countenance showed no signs of fear though she bit vehe mently on her bottom lip for her only thoughts were to get to the window silently she tiptoed over the cold linoleum floor drawing her self up to the window sill she gazed upon the world with her large brown eyes the only notice able features she possessed how beautiful everything looks she thought especially with the trees in the park decorated with the prettiest ornaments of nature she wished adamantly that she could play in the snow like all the other children laughing and sing ing joyously rise and shine samantha boomed out the voice of nurse tuttle as she entered the room quite unexpectedly samantha turned around all too suddenly she felt a sharp pain which emanated from her sto mach carving its way through her entire body instinctively clutching her abdomen saman tha bent over and fell to her knees landing clumsily on the cold floor the elderly nurse dropped the academy hardware stanley packaged screws 50 p ofenlngspecials f40cw fluorescent tubes 15 plastic packaging tape 48mmx66m circular saw blades all sizes carbide tip regular 50 see our full line of grade 8 nuts bolts other grades available academy hardware 4702110 25 valleywood or markham canadiana curtains i to have that room perfect for christmas canadian curtains for classic window treatments and accessories 176a main st queens hotel rear entrance unionville 4751099 tray which she was holding- and ran over to the fallen girl now lying immobile deftly she reached over and pressed a but ton on the wall you sillygirl she repri manded sam what in the world was going through your mind you were given strict and precise instructions not to leave your bed i only gasped sam i only wanted to see christmas one last time of course youll see christ mas its only a day away youll see this christmas and the christ mas after that and all the ones after that one too said the nurse gently however an uncomfort able lump grew in her throat for she knew this was lie at that moment the doctor en tered followed by more nurses i will be back said nurse tut tle so be a good girl okay promised sam as she watched the elderly woman leave- merry christmas mrs- tuttle she added the nurse smiled as the doctor was performing a thorough examination of her sams parents arrived her mother claire vivaro was a sophisticated looking lady whose face was permanently etched with lines of worry mr vivaro who towered a head above his wife was a simple man with angular features that rarely showed any expression oh sam cried her mother with tears in her eyes in a mo ment she was by her daughters side holding her hands tightly as if sam would leave if she let go we brought you some pre sents sam said her father after having spoken briefly with the doctor in the signature inn 555 cochrane dr markham 4758892 new years eve menu coco puff shrimps with cranberry sauce consomme au sherry sweet tender garden greens beef tender loin pergourdine creme caramel coffee or tea coming events buffet luncheon at the champagne dec 1 1 24 995 special christmas day buffet dinner from 5 pm s1595 gala new years eve celebration at larry frankies gourmet dinner dancing party favours2995 gala new years eve celebration at the champagne gourmet dinner show dancing party favours 4995 brunch on new years day 113 pm 1295 prices do not include tax and gratuities please reserve early for all events humbertos hideaway new years tickets now available special sit down prime rib dinner includ ing a glass of wine salad vegetables de ssert coffee price includes open bar dance to our djs music until 200 am good times guaranteed all for 60 per person 1 10 per oouple butits not christmas yet stated sam l know dear but paused mr vivaro who looked desperately at his wife sam honey we thought that youd like to play with some of your gifts now mrs vivaro told her daughter calmly with that sams father brought in a hospital trolley overflowing with brightly wrapped presents soon the room was lit up by color ful plush animals dolls play houses windup toys electronic games a brand new bicycle and the charming laughter of a little girl who was experiencing the happiest moment of her life it was approaching midnight and mr and mrs vivaro tucked their daughter in bed each giving her a kiss that soothed her pain for a brief moment we love you said her mother tenderly merry christmas sam added her father together they left with the sati- faction of having made this christmas their daughters best ever i love you whispered sam as the footsteps in the hall be gan to fade away sam pur posefully slid out of bed clen ching her teeth in pain bending down to several stuffed animals she gathered them in her arms carrying all the toys she could she made her way to the large door strenuously she fought to open it and peeked outside to make sure no one was around cautiously she let herself out of her room and slipped discreetly into the room next to hers there she found a sleeping little boy merry christmas whispered sam as she placed a pound pup py by his bedside then she made her way down the corridor after many trips back to her room for more presents careful not to get caught by an overly protective nurse or orderly at last she came upon a vacant room sam had almost emptied her room of all her toys and was about to return for the last of them when she was drawn to the win dow of this room looking outside she saw flakes of sparkling white snow falling to the ground in the soft light of the street lamps the clear black sky was lit up by a few twinkling stars and a mysterious moon which was calling to her no it was not the moon which summoned her but a man in the light of the stars sam saw that he was approaching her in a sled pulled by several swift antlered creatures he seemed so close that when he reached out his whitegloved hands she could clearly make out his silvery beard and rosy checks when he spoke his words filled her with warmth you are a very generous little girl samantha thank you he said sincerely would you like to come join me you would be a great help to me why yes oh thank you san ta replied sam joyously stretch ing out her hands they seemed to pass through the pane of glass as she reached to touch him he took her hands gently healing all her pain forever and effortlessly pul led her into the silent night of fall ing snow leaving all behind editors note weekender staff selected three winners and eight runners up from christmas stor ies submitted by markham dis trict high school first prize of 100 was won by daisy ip above second and third prizes of 50 and 25 were won by kevin amery and julie a brooks their stories will be published in upcoming issues the weekender is pleased to sponsor this contest which p fte wfltjqg praflyv 5