My Cardboard Balcony

A Three-Legged Reindeer by Belinda Roddie A three-legged reindeer named Bellvedeer (yes, that was the spelling - ye shall not judge) liked to wear gold bells as he persevered through the snow as it turned to ice and sludge so he could pretend he was at the front, beside Rudolph, pulling the crimson sleigh that belonged to Santa. His friends were blunt and told him there was just simply no way he ever could be on the Christmas team with just three legs. Still, Bellvedeer pressed on, for, like most characters, he had a dream, and through the sleet he hobbled, fearless, strong, on three hooves, clipping, clopping down the hill. So stumbled the reindeer, full of good will.

Within the rusted wheel are three apertures where the light from the corner streams. We don't dare move the thing. When Seamus touches it, it leaves an inexplicably dark red grime on his fingers. "Where did it fall from," he asked, "and how did it wind up in our cabin?" Neither Danni nor I know the answer. As it is now, the cobwebs are beginning to spring. The wheel is not going anywhere any time soon.