"Isn't that a little too bright?" laughed Diane.
"Nah. I just want to make sure the judges can't see the Lader house for the glare. This year we are going to win the Season Of Light Award!" proclaimed Nate.
Every year, the Laders took the $1500 award, as well as the trophy. And of course the interview by Miss Winters, of Channel Eight News. Forget the Super Bowl, and the Tour De France. This was the pinnacle of competition!
It certainly wasn't about the money. Everyone who participated always spent at least $3000 on lights, ornaments, and electricity each year. It was rumored that last year, the Laders spent at least $10,000. No, it was all about the bragging rights.
"Nate, we have enough lights that we are probably on NASA TV as we speak. But what about decorations? I saw an awesome full size sleigh in a front yard, when we went to Brinewood for the weekend. It was close to the hotel. It wasn't a decoration, but the real thing."
"Honey, I told you last year, fake reindeer are so tacky. No matter what you attach them to, they're still fake."
"What if we could rent some real ones? Or at least a horse. We could light up the whole thing, and create a little path through the display. Free sleigh rides and photo opportunities. We could even offer to take the judge from house to house."
Nate grinned. "I like how you think! Let's go see it."
"Now? It's ten P.M." she reminded him.
"Right... First thing in the morning." he said, sheepishly. Not that he would hesitate to stay up, but a one A.M. visit probably wouldn't endear them to the owners of the sleigh.
"No, it's not for sale. My grandpa made it as a wedding present for Grandma." said an elderly man emphatically.
Nate looked at it again, there wasn't a scratch on it, and the paint job was new. "How about we rent it? It would really make the neighborhood kids happy."
"You see that new paint? That's because I gave in last year, and let a neighbor borrow it to propose to his fiance. The horse bolted with her in the sleigh, while the dunce was setting up one of those newfangled portable radios. Seems the horse didn't want to hear Silent Night."
He chuckled at the memory, despite himself. "What if I come along to drive it? I'm not exactly a stranger to horses."
"Oh, that would be wonderful, Sir! Thank you." spoke up Diane.
"Yes, it's perfect. Do you have any recommendations for where to rent a horse, or better yet reindeer?"
"I'll take care of it, think of it as part of the rental fee."
On Christmas Eve, the night of the judging, everything was set. As promised, Mr. Pinder arrived with the sleigh - and two magnificent palominos. He was dressed as a very convincing Santa. Everything went well, until the judge arrived.
"Hello, Mr. Turner. How would you like a tour of our wonderful neighborhood? Santa is here to escort you." offered Nate.
Before Mr. Turner could open his mouth, he was knocked over by several reindeer, and narrowly escaped being run over by a steel sleigh, painted red. A man was in it, holding on for dear life, and swearing like a sailor. The whole thing was out of sight in seconds.
"Was that Mr. Lader?" asked Nate, eyes wide. He shook his head, then helped the judge to his feet.
"If that was the sleigh you were referring to, I would rather walk. I don't want to spend Christmas day in the hospital."
"Oh no, I have a much safer option. I do believe that was Mr. Lader. I could be wrong though, it all happened so fast."
Mr. Turner, bruised but mostly uninjured, climbed into the beautiful antique sleigh. The horses trotted smoothly, stopping at each display. Six houses down, they passed Mr. Lader. He was still swearing as he tried to dig and drag the sleigh out of a snowdrift.
Unknown to him, the reindeer were playing ring around the light pole. Should he succeed in freeing the sleigh, they would need to be untangled.
"I can't believe it!" squealed Diana, at the official Season Of Light Awards Ceremony. She grabbed Nate, and jumped up and down. He had no choice but to go along with her celebration. Honestly he felt like a kid anyway.
"Honey, can we stop jumping long enough to accept?" he gasped, laughing. The smiling couple approached the stand, amidst applause. Miss Winters, and a crystal globe engraved with an intricately carved winter scene awaited them.
This is a 100% power up post
Cover image is from Canva, using their gallery