Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the abode, only one creature was stirring, and she was cleaning the commode.
The children were finally sleeping, all snug in their beds, while visions of Nintendo 64 and Barbie flipped through their heads.
The dad was snoring in front of the TV, with a half-consructed bicycle on his knee.
So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter, which made her sigh, “Now what’s the. . . matter?”.
With toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand, she descended the stairs, and saw the old man.
He was covered with ashes and soot, which fell with a shrug. “Oh great,” muttered the mom, “Now I have to clean the rug.”
“HO-HO-HO” cried Santa, “I’m glad you’re awake. Your gift was especially difficult to make.”
“Thanks Santa, but all I want is some time alone.”
“Exactly!”, he chuckled, “I’ve made you a clone.”
“A clone?”, she asked, “What good is that? Run along Santa I’ve no time for chit chat.”
The mother’s twin. Same hair, same eyes, same double chin.
“She’ll cook, she’ll dust, she’ll mop every mess. You’ll relax, take it easy, watch “The Young and the Restless”.”
“Fantastic!” the mom cheered, “My dream come true! I’ll shop, I’ll read, I’ll sleep a whole night through!”
From the room up above, the youngest began to fret. “Mommy?! I’m scared…. and I’m wet.”
The clone replied “I’m coming sweetheart.” “Hey”, the mom smiled, “she knows her part.”
The clone changed the small one, and hummed a tune, as she bundled the child, in a blanket cocoon.
“You’re the best mommy ever, I really love you.” The clone smiled and sighed, “I love you too.”
The mom frowned and said, “Sorry Santa, no deal. That’s my child’s love she’s trying to steal.”
Smiling wisely Santa said, “To me it is clear, only one loving mother is needed here.”
The mom kissed her child and tucked her into bed. “Thank you Santa for clearing my head. I sometimes forget, it won’t be very long when they’ll be too old, for my cradle song.”
The clock on the mantle began to chime. Santa whispered to the clone, “It’s works every time.”
With the clone by his side Santa said, “Goodnight. Merry Christmas, Mom, You’ll be all right!”
author unknown
