JIMMY WATSON - His mother, Marion, teases her son about his dreams to build a large robot ant with a drawing of her son riding on the ant's back. Then it comes true.

CHAPTER 20 - JIMMY DREAMS OF SANTA CLAUS AND HIS DINOBOT COMING TO LIFE

The snow outside began to fall heavier, cooling the grass and finally the concrete sufficiently, for the gentle white frosting to settle.

A little over ten minutes into his sleep cycle, Jimmy's brain relaxed, firing bursts of electrical activity, unconsciously organising what had happened the day before into memories. Rapid eye movement began as he fell into an even more restful phase, releasing him from the real world, transporting him to Lapland, and the North Pole, to Santa's workshops.

And there he saw Father Christmas, as he came flying in low and touched down. Santa was warming himself by a log fire, wearing his full red costume, apart from his hat.

"Come in Jimmy, I've been expecting you."

Jimmy felt welcome, as though this special time had been booked. Right from his Christmas wish last year. It seemed like yesterday. The workshop was all white. White doors, white walls, and white ceilings. The building was made of wood, like a large log cabin. The furniture was also wood, soft and friendly wood, that looked comfortable.

"Hello Santa," Jimmy smiled, so very pleased to meet the man who brought so much happiness into the world. The workshop smelt of spices and all things nice. There were shelves loaded with sweets and toys. Very long tables had wrapped presents stacked high. Through a frosted window, Jimmy could see into a snow covered barn, where a red sleigh was parked, and reindeer were feeding from stalls, on hay and other treats. They looked up, and nodded, and Jimmy waved back.

"I expect you are wondering if you have been a 'Nice' boy. Or, are you on my Naughty List?"

Jimmy came back into the room. He did not feel cold at all. The heat from the log fire, penetrated to his core. He felt warm all over. Relaxed.

"I've been thinking of nothing else for the past week."

"Yes, I know Jimmy. And, Great Papa elf has shown me your book for last year."

"My book?"

"It's a kind of journal, it's a record of all the things you have done that are 'Nice' since you made your special request. And all the things you have done that are 'Naughty'."

Jimmy felt worried, he had butterflies in his stomach. He had done some things he was not too proud of.

"You must know that you are asking rather a lot of me."

Jimmy remembered that he'd not eaten all of his breakfast on occasion, and very nearly had been late for school several times. His blood started pumping. The butterflies turned into moths, wings pounding away.

"I get a lot of strange wishes. Yours, was one of the strangest so far. All the elves were talking about it."

He'd had bad thoughts about Johnny Baxter, and got quite angry at times when Johnny was rude to his teachers, and fooling around in classes.

"We were all wondering where you got this idea from. Why it is so important to you?"

Jimmy remembered not doing all his chores, as well as he might. Once or twice he was sloppy. 

"I don't really know Santa. I guess it's cumulative. I love robotics, and like making things. The idea just grew."

"Yes Jimmy, like my elves, and you are getting good at it. But has this dream of yours taken away from any of the other things, your mother and father expect?"

"I guess. It has. But I still love mum and dad. I still follow their rules. I know those rules are there for my good. They seem to like what I'm doing. At least, I think so."

Father Christmas got up from his very large chair, and put a couple of logs on the fire. He stoked the glowing embers. Then sat back down.

"Lets have a look." Santa Claus picked up a very large crystal ball from a table to his left.

"Come closer Jimmy, look with me into this window to your home."

Jimmy came up to the crystal ball. It took them to his home in England, hovering over Sussex, than zoomed in on Herstmonceux, as the snow was falling and settling as a soft blanket. Then, it took them inside their home, to his mother and father's bedroom. His parents were fast asleep, with relaxed expressions, looking very comforted. Jimmy felt more love for them.

"Your journal reveals that both your mum and dad have said some most complimentary things about you. Your mum has been singing, drawing and painting. Sometimes, even dancing in the kitchen. Your father looks forward to coming home. Why it that Jimmy?"

"Dad loves mum, and always gives her a huge hug when he gets home. He hugs me also, and asks about my project quite a lot, and helps me sometimes."

"Is that why they look so restful?" Jimmy shrugged.

"Dad has quite an important job. He is a General in the Army, working mostly in Germany and London. Mum is now retired from her teaching job, and loves her art. She helps me with my project sometimes. They are the best parents in the world."

"So, they are happy?"

"I think so."

"Could you do anything to make them happier?"

"I would if I could. But, don't know how. I keep my room tidy, have regular baths and showers, and brush my teeth. We eat at the table a lot, and watch some really good films together."

"So, does that make them happy?"

"Being a close family, makes me happy. I think they like that. I try to share my thoughts more than I used to. I used to keep a lot of secrets. But then mum found my project book. I guess that was a bit naughty, having secret dreams. But I was not sure if they would like my ideas, or if I could even build a robot that worked."

Jimmy felt a little defensive. He knew he could have been more open with his parents. But was trying. The moths in his stomach had turned back to butterflies as he felt more comfortable talking to Santa. Father Christmas was much easier to engage with than he'd hoped. He didn't seem cross at some of the less 'Nice' things he'd admitted to.

"Now what about this project Jimmy"

The crystal ball took them back in time, to when Marion was putting some money into Jimmy's money box. Jimmy blushed, as he realised that was why his savings grew so fast. He looked at Santa, a massively surprised expression on his face.

"Yes Jimmy. Your mum and dad have been helping you save for the DinoBot. What does that mean?"

Wow! Jimmy thought back to January and February last year. How happy he'd been when counting his savings. The crystal ball showed his mum and dad enjoying watching Jimmy counting his money. But, they'd kept that a secret from him. Did that mean they were Naughty?

"It's a tough call. I think they were being nice, even though pulling the wool over my eyes. It made me happy."

"And making you happy, seems to be making them happy. Is that about right?"

"Well, they were helping me ....

On Christmas Eve, Jimmy fell into a deep sleep 10 minutes after his head hit the pillow. Jimmy enjoying a deep sleep, during which he dreamed that Anthony, had come to life.

Herstmonceux in Sussex

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