The Superhero

Teddy leaped off the stairs, cape flapping in the breeze.

“Take off the dog’s blanket,” Mommy said. “You know it makes me sneeze.”

“But I’m a superhero, Mom!” he yelled as he jumped on the chair.

Mommy gave him the LOOK as she brushed little Molly’s hair.

Teddy crawled under the tree to give the presents a poke.

“Teddy, wait until tomorrow,” Mommy said. “This is not a joke.”

Teddy said, “But it’s Christmas Eve, and I want to open something.”

Mommy said, “Just wait, dear. Who knows what Santa will bring?”

Teddy ran upstairs, slamming his door with a BOOM!

He was so bored, he pretended to go camping in his room.

He turned on his music, to see how loud he could sing.

He sang so loud, that he never heard the phone ring.

He grabbed the blanket off his bed to set up his play-tent.

Then Mommy came in, with tears in her eyes. “Ted, there’s been an accident.”

Mommy said, “Daddy’s car was hit when someone ran the light.”

“He’s in the hospital and we’re going to see him tonight.”

“I need you to be a big-boy,” Mommy said. “And help with Molly, okay?”

Teddy just nodded his head, for there was nothing he could say.

Teddy held Molly’s hand after they climbed into the car.

And didn’t let go one time, even though the hospital was very far.

A nurse showed up and took them down a big, bright hospital hall.

Teddy held on to Molly, making sure she didn’t fall.

Daddy sat up when they entered the room, arms held open wide.

Mommy and Molly ran in for hugs, careful of Daddy’s side.

Teddy stayed back, waiting, letting Molly get hugs for a while.

“Come here my little superhero,” Mommy said with a smile.

Teddy ran forward into Daddy’s arms, happy as he could be.

He didn’t care what Santa brought. He had the gift of family.

The End.

This is for Susanna Leonard Hill’s 3rd Annual Holiday Writing Contest.

From her post :

The Contest:  Write a children’s story about a Holiday Mishap, mix-up, miscommunication, mistake, or potential disaster (a la Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer :)).  Your story may be poetry or prose, silly or serious or sweet, religious or not, based on Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or whatever you celebrate, but is not to exceed 350 words not counting the title (aren’t I being generous?! 🙂  It can be as short as you like, but no more than 350!)  Did the dog knock over the Christmas Tree?  Did little Johnny’s costume get grape juice all over it moments before the holiday pageant?  Did the menorah go missing?  Did travel arrangements get snarled or miscommunicated?  Did Santa’s sleigh have to make an emergency landing?  The field is wide open!  Have fun!  (And because so many people have mentioned this, the story does not have to be funny!  You can have a holiday mishap that is serious or sweet or mysterious…  Please don’t feel that you have to go the humor route!  Also, because a number of people have mentioned it this time, no art notes please.)

Post:  Your entry should be posted on your blog between now and Friday December 13 at 11:59 PM EST and your post-specific link should be added to the link list below which will remain up through Sunday December 15.  (There will be no WYRI or PPBF this week.)  If you don’t have a blog but would like to enter, please copy and paste your entry into the comments below.  (If anyone has trouble commenting, which unfortunately happens, please email me and I’ll post your entry for you!)