A Lonely Christmas

Dianne Troll was taking parcels into her house from the trunk of her car, when she noticed her elderly neighbour walking up the laneway.

“Hello Mrs. Jones,” said Dianne. “How are you doing?”

“Just fine,” said Mrs. Jones. “And how are you doing?”

“Just getting some last minute Christmas shopping done,” said Dianne.

“I see,” said Mrs. Jones. “I do not have any Christmas shopping to do.”

“Oh,” said Dianne. “You have it all done already.”

“No,” said Mrs. Jones. “I just don’t have anybody to buy gifts for.”

“Oh I see,” said Dianne. “Are you going away for Christmas?”

“I am not going to celebrate Christmas this year,” said Mrs. Jones. “My family have all moved away and they all have children of their own and are just too busy for me.”

“That is sad,” said Dianne. “Look, we are having Christmas dinner at our house this year because we have Baby Troll to celebrate his first Christmas with. I would love it if you would like to join us.”

“Oh I can’t impose,” said Mrs. Jones.

“It isn’t an imposition,” said Dianne. “I want you to come and have Christmas dinner with us.”

“I will let you know,” said Mrs. Jones, quickly walking up her walkway and going into her apartment.

Christmas Day came and Dianne did not hear from Mrs. Jones at all. She decided she would go and knock on her door and take her the gift that she had for her.

“Merry Christmas,” said Dianne, when Mrs. Jones opened up the door to her apartment.

“Oh Dianne,” said Mrs. Jones. “Do come in and Merry Christmas to you too.”

“About dinner,” said Dianne. “I still want you to have dinner with us.”

“I just don’t know,” said Mrs. Jones. “I don’t want to be a bother.”

“You aren’t a bother,” said Dianne. “I don’t want to see you spend Christmas by yourself. As a matter of fact, you go get yourself ready now and you can come spend the day with us.”

“Are you sure?” said Mrs. Jones.

“Absolutely,” said Dianne.

Mrs. Jones went and got dressed and went to Dianne’s house with her.

“Oh my!” exclaimed Billy Troll, Dianne’s husband when he saw that they had company.

“Billy,” said Dianne. “This is Mrs. Jones. She is our neighbour and she was going to spend Christmas alone.”

“Oh,” said Billy. “Nobody should ever have to spend Christmas alone. You are more than welcome to come in and spend Christmas with us.”

Billy went and got his guitar, while Dianne got Mrs. Jones a drink of apple cider.

“No-one should spend Christmas alone,” sang Billy. “No-one should. It just isn’t right. We need to spend Christmas with each other.”

“I see you have a piano,” said Mrs. Jones.

“Do you play piano?” asked Billy.

“I am a piano teacher,” said Mrs. Jones.

“Oh well then,” said Billy, pulling out the stool for Mrs. Jones to sit on.

Billy, Dianne and Mrs. Jones had a wonderful Christmas day together singing Christmas carols and songs that Billy wrote himself.

“My you are such a talented young man,” said Mrs. Jones to Billy when he walked her back over to her apartment.

“Oh thank you,” said Billy.

“Wait a minute,” said Mrs. Jones. “I just realized who you are. You are that talented rock and roll troll, aren’t you? I saw you on the local television station the other night. Now, rock and roll music isn’t the music I like but I do know talent when I see it and you are definitely talented.”

“Thank you so much,” said Billy.

“No,” said Mrs. Jones. “Thank you so much Billy. I had a wonderful time with you and Dianne today.”

“We enjoyed your company very much also,” said Billy. “Merry Christmas, Mrs. Jones.”

“Merry Christmas,” said Mrs. Jones. “Billy, wait a minute please. I have something I want to give to you.”

Mrs. Jones went inside her apartment and returned to her door with a harmonica.

“This belonged to my late husband,” said Mrs. Jones. “I want you to have it.”

“Why thank you,” said Billy. “I will cherish it forever.”

“No,” said Mrs. Jones. “I want you to play it.”