Smorgasbord Christmas Party – Guest John W. Howell with A Christmas Story

Posted on November 29, 2016 by Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life.

I have been collecting guest posts and stories for the last few weeks and have brought them all together as part of the Smorgasbord Christmas Party. There will be humour, short stories, stories about family and friends, music, humour and some food of course. The posts are scheduled right up to Christmas, but if you would still like to promote your blog, books or other creative work there are some other opportunities to be found here.

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/christmas-2016-smorgasbord-promotions-blogs-books-gifts-short-stories/

For my first guest…. who better to kick the party off than author John. W. Howell whose short stories are edgy, humourous and always leave you wanting more. Here is a story that John has written especially for the Smorgasbord Christmas Party.

A Christmas Story

Who’s there?”
“Where?”
“In the living room. I can hear you stomping around.”
“There’s no one here.”
“If there is no one there how come you are answering my questions?”
“Would be rude not to answer wouldn’t you say?”
“What do you want?”
“I don’t want anything. I’m Santa Claus, filling your stockings and putting gifts under your tree.”
“Come on now. There’s no such thing as Santa Claus.”
“Okay. Have it your way. I’ll need a few minutes to put all this stuff back.”
“Okay. I’m coming in there, and I’m warning you I have a gun.”
“I can always tell I’m in Texas.”
“What?”
“Nothing. Just talking to myself.”
“I’m going to turn on the light. Don’t make any moves.”
“Fine. I’m standing here as still as I can be.”
“Hey. You don’t look like Santa Claus.”
“What is Santa supposed to look like?”
“You know. Big belly, red suit, white beard, mouth drawn up in a bow.”
“Well, the PR firm was in charge of that image. I didn’t necessarily go along with it.”
“PR firm?”
“Yeah. You know those guys who give the public an image. Those Coke commercials pretty much started it all. I’m more of a Brooks Brothers type. Besides the red outfit is a bear when sliding down chimneys.”
“So you do slide down chimneys?”
“Mostly through the wall. It is much easier.”
“Wait. You can go through walls?”
“I can see you have a tough time with faith don’t you Ferd?”
“Name’s Frank. Hey, hold on. If you were Santa, you would know that.”
“Sure I would. Let’s see how many Franks would you say there are in this world. Come on Frank. Give me a break. I used “Ferd” as a term of endearment.”
“You’re confusing me.”
“Not hard to do I might add. So, should I gather up all this stuff and see you next year or what?”
“W-well. I can see some pretty nice stuff.”
“You were laid off weren’t you Frank?”
“Y-yes.”
“Don’t you think little Jimmy would like this bike?”
“S-sure. Sure he would. My wife would like that coat too.”
“So what do you say? I leave all the stuff, and you have a Merry Christmas.”
“How will I ever repay you?”
“Only one way to do that Frank.”
“How’s that? I don’t have any money.’
“Won’t take money, Frank.”
“What then.”
“Do you your best this year to foster peace on Earth and goodwill to humankind. Can you do that?”
“I-I will try very hard Santa.”
“You’re a good man, Frank. Bless you. Now where did you hide the cookies and milk?”

About John W. Howell

John’s main interests are reading and writing. He turned to writing as a full-time occupation after an extensive career in business. John writes thriller fiction novels and has a number of short stories published in various on-line magazines. One of his short stories has been recognized by Writers Digest in the Popular Fiction Writing contest. His novel, My GRL published by Martin Sisters Publishing and is the first of many exciting adventures of the book’s central character John J. Cannon. The second, His Revenge published by Keewaydin Lane Books is now available in Paperback and Kindle formats. He has recently published the third book in the series, Our Justice.

Buy John’s Books: Amazon Author’s page – https://www.amazon.com/author/johnwhowell

John lives on Mustang Island in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of south Texas with his wife and their spoiled rescue pets.

You will find some great articles and photographs on John’s website with a different perspective of the same spot each week

Connect with John.

Blog Fiction Favorites, http://www.johnhowell.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/john.howell.98229241
Twitter – https://www.twitter.com/HowellWave
Authors db – http://www.authorsdb.com/authors-directory/6604-john-w-howell
LinkedIn – http://www.linkedin.com/pub/john-w-howell/48/b59/462/
Google + https://plus.google.com/+JohnHowellAuthor/
Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7751796.John_W_Howell
Shelfari – http://www.shelfari.com/johnwhowell
Amazon Author’s page – https://www.amazon.com/author/johnwhowell
Martin Sisters Publishing – Http://www.martinsisterspublishing.com

My thanks to John for writing this story especially for the blog and I hope that if you are not already connected to him that you will head over and introduce yourselves.

Lots more guests with their special contributions to come and also festive recipes and music. Thanks for dropping in and please help yourself to a mince pie.. If it is your first of the season you have to make a wish.. I hope it comes true.