A Reluctant Santa

By Anthony de la Torre and Guadalupe de la Torre

A story about Christmas and beyond.

A seeming chance encounter with ancient brass bells inscribed with the Latin "Gaudium Dei," prime a listless, disillusioned Joe for God's Joy. He comes reluctantly, for it will cost him everything. But in the end will be worth every penny. For us too. May you find your inner Santa in bringing joy to

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anthony de la Torre
• Release date: Dec 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9798985253719

Anthony de la Torre

Anthony de la Torre: In his long life, Tony has worn many caps and hats, among them a monk's cowl, the Navy's white cap ("lid"), the forest green campaign hat of a Fish & Wildlife Officer, and yes, the red and white Santa cap. Between said engagements he is and has been a husband, dad, grandpa, actor, stained glass artist and writer.

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This book is dedicated to my late daughter Clara.

She lived up to her name, Clearness & Light, and was the very essence of Santa.

She passed to her reward in a tragic motorcycle accident, June 12, 2021.

Also dedicated to my late mom and dad, late ex-wife Patricia,

my wife Camille, and our kids Doug, Rachel, Nick, Heather, and Aaron,

each of whom in their own way advanced the Santa in me,

even if I came to it reluctantly.

A special thank you to Debby Laurenz of Laurenz Publishing, my editor,

because Santa’s magic doesn’t cover syntax, spelling, punctuation or grammar.

Author, Editor, and Layout Artist all lost beloved family members while

working on this book. Out of the ashes may love and new life triumph.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental; though now and again, maybe not.

Copyright © 2021 by Anthony de la Torre

A Reluctant Santa: A story about Christmas and beyond

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any other means without the written permission of the publisher and author.

Laurenz Publishing

10320 Kay Way, Mukilteo, WA 98275

ISBN: 979-8-9852537-0-2 (Hardcover)

ISBN: 979-8-9852537-1-9 (eBook)

Book design by Melissa Vail Coffman

Printed in the United States of America

Contents

The Bells

Here We Go Again

The Church Social

Donning The Red

You Made My Day

Coleen’s Day Care

Luke

The Note

Generous Hearts

The Bells

D ing, Dong, Ding, Dong, Christmas bells are ringing . . . merrily sang the chorus. Joe reached over with a Bah! and switched off the car radio. Bells . . . Who needs ’em, huh Horace? The sleepy-eyed old beagle, slumped on the passenger seat, gave off a mournful little yodel. Yeah . . . yeah. Don’t worry, you’ll get your biscotti. And I’ll get my double-shot of espresso, Joe mumbled.

His wife,