This story was written for the 2017 Advent Calendar – Day 7<\/p>\n
Summary:\u00a0 This piece is based on a reference from the Season One episode, \u201cThe Avenger\u201d.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n
Rating:\u00a0 T\u00a0 (555 words)<\/p>\n
So it was, that\u00a0while they were there<\/b>,<\/em> <\/p>\n Christmas in July\u00a0<\/strong> <\/p>\n Jimmy sat on the porch step with his hands pressed tight against his ears, staring hard at the ground. The boy wished Doc Martin would come out and tell him to fetch more water, or peel onions for another poultice. What Jimmy hated most was the waiting. Waiting outside while his parents were suffering there in the tiny cabin, while they were there moaning and thrashing and tossing, burning with fever and summer heat.<\/p>\n They just wouldn\u2019t stop\u00a0moaning<\/i>.<\/p>\n Sweat dripped and stung his eyes and Jimmy rubbed at them.<\/p>\n The pound of hooves on dirt caught his attention, and Jimmy raised his head just as a familiar buckskin horse trotted into the yard, its rider a tall, silver-haired man who grinned and waved.<\/p>\n \u201cHi, Jimmy!\u201d Mr. Cartwright called.<\/p>\n Slowly, Jimmy stood up, wiping his nose with the back of his hand.<\/p>\n On the end of a lead rope, following after Mr. Cartwright\u2019s horse, was the most beautiful piebald pony the boy had ever seen.<\/p>\n Reaching the corral, Mr. Cartwright brought the horses to a stop with a deep \u201cWhoa\u201d, then swung down and looped the reins over the fence rail. \u201cHot ride,\u201d the neighboring rancher declared. He glanced over at Jimmy.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cCome here, son.\u201d<\/p>\n Jimmy stayed where he was. He couldn\u2019t take his eyes off the pony.<\/p>\n Mr. Cartwright looked from him to the piebald. \u201cWell, I guess we\u2019ll just have to go to him,\u201d the rancher said, and he led the pony across the yard to Jimmy. Mr. Cartwright stopped with a few feet between them and said, \u201cSay hello to your new horse.\u201d<\/p>\n The words were like a cool breeze blowing through, lifting the heat and worry off for a minute. Then it lay heavy back on him again and Jimmy\u2019s shoulders bowed. \u201cI can\u2019t,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa wouldn\u2019t like it,\u201d Jimmy said miserably. He stepped up to the piebald and held his hand out. Soft lips stretched and quivered over his palm, the horse\u2019s breath coming in hot puffs. Jimmy rubbed the horse\u2019s nose. \u201cI ain\u2019t s\u2019posed to take anything unless I earn it first.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI see.\u201d Mr. Cartwright rubbed his chin. \u201cWell, Jimmy, this is a little different. You see, this horse is\u2026well, she\u2019s a Christmas present.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA Christmas present?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right. And all you have to do for a Christmas present is be good. You\u2019ve been good, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014well\u2014yes.\u201d The horse was snuffling his hair, tickling and making it hard to think. \u201cBut\u2014Mr. Cartwright\u2014it\u2019s July.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr. Cartwright patted the piebald\u2019s neck. \u201cYou know something, Jimmy,\u201d the rancher said, \u201cI think it can be Christmas anytime.\u201d He smiled gently. \u201cEspecially when we need it most.\u201d Holding the lead out, Mr. Cartwright said, \u201cMerry Christmas, Jimmy.\u201d<\/p>\n Jimmy took the rope, gripped it tightly and realized he grinning, and it felt a little wrong to smile when Ma and Pa could die, but he thought if they knew they would tell him it was okay.<\/p>\n \u201cMerry Christmas, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n Faust and the Librarians would like to thank Truthwriter for participating in the 2017 Advent Calendar.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n All characters contained within property of Clair Huffaker and\/or David Dotort.<\/i><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nthe days were completed for her to be delivered.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u00a0 ~~by Truthwriter\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
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