Santa Clawed

her.

    Alicia and BoomBoom, although living farther out, took this as an opportunity to test the Land Cruiser. Worked like a treat.
    The cats entered the church’s back entrance with Herb at 6:30 P.M . The service was at 7:00 P.M . Lucy Fur, Elocution, and Cazenovia sat off to the side where they could view the congregation. Cazenovia, tempted to scoot under the altar, decided against it, since she’d be peeping out from under the embroidered altar covering. She wanted to see everything but knew her poppy would either laugh or be furious. She felt she was a good Lutheran cat, but Reverend Jones didn’t always see things her way.
    She remarked,
“Racquel is cool to Bryson.”
    Lucy Fur looked at them.
“Even has her shoulder turned away from him.”
    Elocution, tail curled around her paws as she sat straight up, evidenced scant interest in the Deedses’ marriage.
“Good thing we aren’t Catholic. They have midnight Mass for Christmas. Roads will be even worse then.”
She couldn’t see out the large stained-glass window.
    Afterward, when Susan finally got home, she called Harry.
    “Beautiful service.”
    “Always is.”
    “Can you believe it’s still snowing?” Susan sipped on a delicious hot hard cider that Ned handed her.
    “It’s been so many years without a white Christmas, without enough snow, that I’m glad for it.” Harry added, “Helps keep the bug population down come summer.”
    Harry wanted to tell her best friend about what had happened, but she kept her mouth shut.
    “You know, the entire choir made it. That was a big surprise.”
    “What about the congregation?” Harry was curious.
    “About half. Made it more intimate. Brother Luther came, which surprised me. They have their own service.”
    “He was raised a Lutheran—plus his name, you know.”
    Susan laughed. “Let’s hope the original Luther displayed more personality than Brother Luther.”
    “Dour,” Harry agreed. “The rest of them seem cheerful enough, or they were.”
    “Don’t think I’d be too happy being one of the brothers right now.” She switched subjects. “Feels like I haven’t seen you in eons.”
    “I know. But this time of year is crazy enough, and when you add the weather, it’s amazing anything gets done. Susan, do me a favor. Don’t tell anyone you’ve spoken to me. I’ll explain later.”
             
    Brother George, not happy that Brother Luther drove down the mountain in the first place, complained, “You’d better get your ass back up here by midnight. We have our own service, you know.”
    “I’m on my way now. You’ll be pleased to know that Bill Keelo, overflowing with Christmas spirit, made a generous donation to our order. I knew if I went to St. Luke’s service, I’d see him.”
    Brother George’s tone became warm. “Good. Much as we appreciate Bill’s legal work for the order, coins help. Liquid assets, Brother Luther, liquid assets. You as treasurer understand how vital they are more than anyone else.”
    “Do. Well, I’ll be up there in an hour or so. Slow going, but it’s going.”
    “How much, by the way?”
    “Ten thousand dollars. Bill handed me an envelope and I didn’t open it until he was back in the Jeep. But he did say that he knew we’d lost business at the Christmas tree farm from being closed two whole days, so he hoped this would help us.”
    “How thoughtful.” Brother George’s voice crackled a little on the cell. “I’m losing you. See you soon.”
    Soon was an hour and a half later. Brother Morris met Brother Luther at the door, thanking him for the foresight to see Bill Keelo at the Christmas Eve service.
    “Called ahead.” Brother Luther smiled slightly.
    “Yes, yes, sometimes it takes a gentle prod.” Brother Morris winked, then headed to his quarters to rest before the service.
    As Brother Luther headed to his own quarters, he passed Brother Sheldon, hands in his long sleeves. The hallway was cold.
    “Your hands must be cold,” Brother Luther said.
    “Everything is cold. I wish you’d told me you were going down the mountain. I would have liked to go to St. Luke’s service. It’s such a pretty church.”
    “Ah, well, next time.”
    “Next time is a year away.”
    “Sheldon, maybe by then you’ll stop crying at the drop of a hat.”
    Brother Sheldon’s face flushed crimson. “We’ve lost two good young men.”
    “Yes, we have, but you can be glad of one thing.”
    “Which is?” Brother Sheldon glared at