A yearly promise

[dandelion.wine]

"Just promise me that one thing..."
A request, no doubt, recounting past seasons
of frivolity and merriment and eggnog
turned sour.

"Just promise me..."
Not a desire this time for an immaterial gift
that I never delivered in the past.
He's not saying "... promise me that.."
I'll do something good for myself
to make him happy and proud to write "From Santa"
on all those things under the tree.

"...that you wont.." Smell of debauchery this festive season? No.
Reek of alcohol, weed, cigarettes, and puke? No.
"...that you wont come home to.."
Borrow money with nicotine stained fingers and yellow teeth
glaring between roach singed lips? Do piles of disgustingly
stained laundry and embarass him in front of relatives?
No.

"...to stay.."
... to stay?

"Promise that you'll still have a college to go back to after christmas."
And though Santa never taught me how to study for finals,
he taught me very young about how to lie...
"OK."
"I love you."
He taught us both.