The Glass Top Coffin (standard:drama, 1455 words) [8/12] show all parts
Author: Stephen-Carver Byrd	Added: Dec 31 2002	Views/Reads: 2551/1879	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
***Part 8*** The Christmas Miracle Of Falls Hills

“THE GLASS TOP COFFIN” 

***Part 8*** The Christmas Miracle Of Falls Hills 

By Stephen Bryan (HurricaneWarning) 

December 25th 1963 

The joyous Christmas spirit that normally surrounds Falls Hills were
absent this year. It was equally the same across the country. The 
Nation's 35th president had just been laid to rest less than four weeks 
earlier. However, it was especially sad for this small community due to 
the loss of their beloved Santa, Wendil Moore. 

Madelyn handed Jordan a large, heavy present. Since it was expensive,
she explained, it would be his only gift. After Jordan tore open the 
wrappings, his mouth fell open and his eyes danced with joy. Madelyn 
helped him pull the large, brand new typewriter from the box. The boy 
got to his feet and began jogging in place, then leaped into his 
mother's arms and smothered her in kisses. Jordan ran to his bedroom 
and returned with a sheet of paper, inserted it, and began pecking away 
at light speed. After a few minutes, he rose from the floor and walked 
over to the small Christmas tree. Jordan handed his mother a square, 
thin present that he had picked out and wrapped himself. Madelyn slowly 
opened it in guarded optimism. It was just what she was hoping for, the 
newest “Roy Orbison” album---her favorite singer. She hugged Jordan 
warmly then put the record on to play. Jordan returned to his new 
typewriter and to the heartrending beat of “Only the lonely”, he began 
writing his very first “typed” story. 

Outside the small trailer there was a strange commotion going on. Jordan
recognized it first. It was the sound of car horns blowing all over the 
community. Even the fire station's siren was blasting irrepressible 
through the cold, raw air. Normally, Christmas morning in Falls Hills 
was as quiet as light falling snow. Jordan and his mother knew that 
something must be terribly wrong. She turned down the record player and 
they both looked out the front door. Madelyn put a hand over her mouth 
to suppress a scream. Jordan stood frozen, dazed and in shock. Sitting 
before them was that familiar brown box with two double-crossed white 
and red ribbons. Attached to the box were a huge blue bow and a large 
greeting card. 

“It can't be, Jordi, it just can‘t....,” Madelyn said, shaking. 

Jordan walked up to the box and looked at the writing on the card. “It's
his alright, Mom, I recognize his handwriting. Come on, help me get it 
inside.” As they began to pick the large box up, they discovered it was 
as light as air. 

“I don't think there's much in it,” Jordan said, picking up the box by
himself and carrying it into the small living room. Madelyn plucked the 
greeting card from the box and read it aloud. 

Dear Madelyn and Jordi: 

So you thought you were going to get rid of me that easily...well think
again. No, I am not a ghost or some fool miracle worker. I'm too ornery 
for that mushy stuff. These boxes have been sitting in my garage for 
the past year. I placed all the necessary items inside and sealed them 
shut then gave explicit instructions that they be delivered to everyone 
on my list in the event that something should happen to me. Everyone 
received the exact same thing expect for the adjustments I had to make 
with various families. However, it will be the last gift that this 
Santa will unfortunately ever bring. Please use it with a mind of 
wisdom and with the warmth of a Falls Hills summer day. 

Forever yours in heart and spirit, 

Wendil L. Moore 

They opened the heavily sealed box and found inside three white
envelopes. One was addressed to Madelyn and other two were addressed to 
Jordan. Madelyn opened hers first. She pulled out a small rectangular 
piece of paper and stared at it blankly. The first line read, “Pay To 
The Order Of: Madelyn K. Taylor” The following line read, “The Amount 


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