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This story has been given its own page in the blog. Follow the link to read the whole thing.

This story is part of a collection I put together called “My Best Christmas and Other Stories of the Season.” It can be purchased at Amazon.com

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“I purt’ near froze to death,” William looked across the counter at Lester, ferrying vegetable soup to his lips from the chipped bowl in front of him.  He wore sesame seeds that had been planted in the tangle of his scraggly gray beard.  William poured coffee into Lester’s half empty cup.  “It was so cold that night that, well let me tell ya, that there cup of coffee would’ve froze solid!”  He raised his eyebrows as he retooled an old Paul Bunyan legend he dredged from the dim memory of long gone school lessons.  Lester sopped up what was left of the broth with a piece of dinner roll.  What his mouth didn’t capture, the curly hairs of his shaggy beard did,  providing a record of the day’s menu at the Gospel of Peace Mission. ……. Read more…