S e c r e t s

After yet another busy Christmas, Santa settles into a well-deserved hot bath and the latest issue of a mind-broadening magazine, when he suddenly realizes he is no longer alone. One of the reindeer has joined him, but is soon summarily dispatched. Disgruntled at being expelled, the reindeer pulls the plug and drops it over the side. Around the bath are a pair of Santa’s boxers, his toy boat and rubber duck, a loofah, and the book that every child wanted this Christmas, “Harry Potter.” Santa saved himself a copy to find out what all the buzz was about. The words carved on the reindeer’s hooves refer to Peter’s son Sam turning one year old in February 2002. The mouse stays dry between the book and the bathtub’s clawed foot.