It was a letter from Santa. He thanked her for her kindness. He mentioned that Vixen especially liked the vegetable sandwiches. He told her he had returned the car keys, just as she asked.
Her face lit up like something had switched on inside her. “Vixen ate my sandwiches!” she shouted, clutching the letter to her chest. Hayden and I hugged her, laughing as she pressed her face into my sweater. Then she spotted the gold-wrapped package. When she realized it was tickets to The Nutcracker, she screamed, pure joy spilling out of her.
Later, as cinnamon rolls baked and wrapping paper covered the floor, I stood at the window looking out at our quiet street.
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