By Robert Cuff
My after-school job my senior year of high school was in a bakery attached to a supermarket in my home town, a sort of Jurassic Publix setup. On the night before Christmas Eve, we had orders for a little over 400 pies. The baker asked if I would work with him through the night and, needing the money for my college fund, being locked in an empty supermarket to bake 400 pies for twelve hours at overtime rates seemed like a wonderful idea.
The pies were done by dawn. Stacked boxes of still cooling apple, pumpkin, mince and a few other varieties lining every surface of the bakery, waiting for pick up on Christmas Eve day. It wasn’t until the store opened that morning that I realized how tired I was. It wasn’t until I looked outside that I realized it had begun to snow during the night and the ground and sidewalks were six inches deep in Christmas cheer.
I’d dressed for the warmth of the bakery the night before–sneakers, cotton pants and a light jacket–but it was less than a mile up up the main street from the bakery to my home, so I set off, initially glad for the cold to snap me awake even if my feet quickly went numb. A third of the way home, I was regretting my fashion choice from the night before with wet, frozen feet and hands rapidly chilling to ambient temperature in the pockets of my jacket, when a town police car pulled up and one of the cops aboard asked where I was going.
My hometown was a small place, but I didn’t recognize the cops and I doubt they recognized me. I suppose I must have looked pitiful and, probably, stupid to be out dressed as I was. When I told my inquisitor where I’d started my walk and my destination, all he said was: “Get in the back.”
It occurred to me that being delivered home at dawn in a police car was not the best look, but it wasn’t something to which I gave a lot of thought as I brushed snow off my eyebrows and glasses. A few minutes later, they deposited me in the still un-shoveled driveway of my home. A perfunctory “Thank you and Merry Christmas,” and I was back out in the snow, rushing to get inside to thaw myself out.
I recall that morning every Christmas since. My family would bring up the Christmas I came home in a cop car for a few more years. But all the life that that happened after that gradually erased it from their memories until I am the only one for whom the memory remains a permanent Christmas tradition.
Robert Cuff, a long-time Palm Coast resident, is a lawyer and a former Palm Coast City Council member.
Pogo says
@Rober Cuff
Thank you.
Wow says
I love this story. Small towns are the best.
Greg says
Awesome. Merry Christmas to you.
Hammock Huck says
A very nice story indeed. However, Flagler County and Palm Coast aren’t small towns anymore. They have been ruined by overgrowth. It won’t be long and the liberal ideologies will infest it too.
CP says
Thank you for sharing your beautiful story. Merry Christmas!
Bah Humbug? says
Huckleberry Flagler over here got some coal in his stocking this morning… a Warm Fuzzy story of the seasons tidings…
Nephew Of Uncle Sam says
Your so called “liberal ideaologies” are what started this town. Yet you still have a Merry Christmas and remember to include politics in all your gatherings today, your acquaintances will thank you.
Old Rumrunner says
What would be a nice Christmas present would be Mr. Cuff running for City Council again.
Merry Christmas, All!
Me says
Great story and can I place my order with you for an Appie pie? Merry Christmas and all the best for 2024.
Sherry says
@hh. . . Come now, can’t you hold back your political hate for just one day? It’s Christmas. . . Take a deep breath, hug your loved ones and count your blessings!
Sherry says
It’s Christmas. . . let’s share a really uplifting story:
https://singingrevolution.com/
Practice “Random Acts of Kindness”!
Wishing you ALL. . . LOVE! PEACE! and JOY! in this holiday season!
Tarable says
What a wonderful uplifting story from an equally wonderful person. Best wishes to you and your family for 2024.
Pat stote says
Great response. Can’t we leave politics and hate for one day
Tarable says
What a wonderful story. Best wishes for you and your family in 2024.
Concerned Citizen says
Many years ago I was on the way to work when my car broke down.
I was Southbound on Colbert LN. And the head gasket went. Not much I could do at that point. At that time Colbert was sparse and cell coverage was iffy at best. Thankfully a Deputy was going the opposite way and saw I was in trouble. He turned around and helped me get the car off the road. He then asked where I was headed and didn’t hesitate to give me a ride. I was new on my job and stressing out. But the looks on co-workers faces were priceless when we pulled up. LOL. He even told me hope things get better. And try to have a good day at work. I guess what I’m trying to convey is always be kind. Kindness can turn around the most awful of days. And make things a little more bearable.
Nancy N. says
You call this tale about police doing social welfare work “a very nice story” and then rant about liberal ideologies…irony is indeed dead. SMH
NativeGirl says
What a wonderful uplifting story and such a precious memory for you to still recall every Christmas. Thank you for sharing Bob!!