Beth and I were excited that we, too, like the Virgin Mary, would have an infant to care for on this blessed Holy Day. Mama stayed in the hospital an extra day because Little Alice was also there. Dr. Quinlin had to remove Little Ali's tonsils. I told Beth that Ali's throat was sore from all the screaming she did. Alice often held her breath until she turned blue. Then, Mama had to turn her upside down to get her to take a breath. Beth said it was nonsense for me to think that, but I knew better.
After an early supper, Dad said, 'I have to go to the hospital. Beth, you and Mary take care of Mike and Tim.'
We had cared for our brothers many times before. I smiled, thinking that if Dad stayed long enough, I would be able to get a peek at Santa when he delivered my Howdy Doody puppet.
'You can all decorate the tree while I'm gone,' he said. My brothers cheered. They loved to see the lights bubble and tinsel shimmer. I loved it, too.
Dad took Beth and me into the next room, so the boys couldn't hear. I wasn't prepared for his next words: 'Girls, I have to ask you a big favor. Since Mawther's in the hospital, I need you to help me.' Even after years living in Philadelphia, his Boston Irish accent popped through. So I giggled when he said Mawther instead of Mother.
He waited for me to finish giggling, then he dropped the bomb. 'Would you play Santa this year and wrap all the presents?' he asked.
I could barely believe what I heard--wrap ALL the PRESENTS.
'Mawther left it in my hands,' he continued, 'but I've been too busy working and running to the hospital to even start. Come with me'
He acted as if we had known all along that Santa was not real.
I looked at Beth in dismay. She appeared to be taking the request in stride and followed Dad to where the presents were stashed.
I followed too, but like a robot, his words echoing in my ears: 'Play Santa... Play Santa... Play Santa...'
Play Santa
It was Christmas Eve, 1952. I had been waiting all these long months for Santa to come and bring me the Howdy Doody puppet I'd seen in Wanamaker's store in Philadelphia. Grandpop used to work there. Each year, Mama took Beth and me to see all the wondrous displays in the store window and toy shop. Mama couldn't take us this year, because she was pregnant. 'Christmas came too fast for me,' she said. She had given birth to Little Gerald three days before. She hoped to be home for Christmas.
