As promised, Dr. Kildare came to see Davy early the next morning. He was pleased with Davy's progress and said he would be back to his usual (though not quite healthy) self in a few days. Now, Micky rushed around the pad in an extra frantic speed than usual. He and the other Monkees had such a good time last night that he overslept and was now running around the living room trying to find his necktie.
"Will you guys quit looking at all the new stuff we got yesterday and help me find my tie?" He yelled.
Mike and Peter got up and helped him look, while Davy stayed where he was at the kitchen table. He was doing a lot better, but still weak. Davy couldn't help but smile as pillows and other objects went flying around the pad. Finally, Mike came up with a red and blue piece of cloth.
"Here's one, Micky." He said.
Micky snatched it out of Mike's hand and put it around his neck. He would tie it as he ran over to Babbit's office. "Thanks Mike. I gotta go now, so bye!"
"Bye, Micky!" Peter and Mike replied as Micky ran out the front door, slamming it behind him.
Peter and Mike went back to the kitchen table and sat down once again. Davy was still staring at the refrigerator.
"Davy, what's on your mind?" Peter asked.
"It might sound crazy, but I think I know who sent us all this neat stuff." Davy replied.
"Well, spill it!" Mike said.
"I think Mr. Babbit did all this."
Peter reached over and felt Davy's forehead for a fever. Davy pulled his head away from Peter's hand.
"I feel fine, fellas, really I do." Davy said to his friends, "But just think about it. Who would have the money to buy all this and have it delivered on Christmas? Who knew I was sick?"
"Maybe Micky's buddy Fred." Mike answered. "He's also Babbit's nephew and might have a little money."
"No, from what I've heard, Babbit hasn't helped Fred at all." Peter said, "Fred is just getting by with his dry-cleaning business so he wouldn't have sent all this."
"And Babbit squeezes the nickel until Lincoln screams." Mike added, shaking his head.
"Still, I just have that feeling..." Davy said, drinking his milk.
Babbit sat at his desk and looked with satisfaction at his watch as the clock in the outer office chimed nine a.m. He knew Micky would be late today, and had made sure to be there extra early. Sure enough, one minute past nine Babbit heard the creak of the front door and could imagine his employee sneaking over to his desk. Waiting until Micky was at his desk, he let out a yell.
"DOLENZ! GET IN HERE!"
Micky jumped a foot off his chair and ran into Babbit's office. He was greeted by the unflinching glare of Babbit's eyes.
"You called for me, Mr. Babbit?" Micky squeaked.
"Yes I did, Dolenz." Babbit snapped, "What do you mean by arriving here one minute late for work, after you had promised two days ago to be here at nine a.m...SHARP?!"
"Me...me and my friends were making merry last night sir." Micky stammered.
"Ah, yes, it was Christmas yesterday, wasn't it?" Babbit asked nastily.
"Yes sir, oh please sir, it won't happen again." Micky begged.
"It certainly will not, Dolenz." Babbit said haughtily, "I've had enough of your tomfoolery! Therefore...I am doubling your salary."
Micky stared at his boss, not sure that he had heard right. "You're...doubling my salary, Mr. Babbit?" He asked slowly.
"Did I say doubling?" Babbit asked, becoming less harsh, "I meant to say tripling, retroactive from the first day you began to work for me, which means you'll be getting quite a paycheck this Friday!" Babbit gave Micky a big smile.
Micky gave a big smile back at his boss, and slowly began to back out of the office. Obviously, Babbit had flipped and Micky had to get out of there and call the mental hospital to have Babbit committed! But Babbit saw what Micky was doing and guessed his intentions. He stood up and walked over to Micky.
"No, Micky, I haven't lost my senses, I've come to them!" Babbit said, still smiling. "You've been so loyal to me, and I've been so mean. So I'm going to do my best to make it up to you."
"Thank you, Mr. Babbit!" Micky said, shaking Babbit's hand.
"You're more than welcome, Micky. Tell me, how's little Davy? I heard he was sick."
"He's doing a lot better now." Micky replied.
"That's good, very good!" Babbit replied, "Don't worry, I'm going to make sure he gets the operation he needs and help your other friends out as well!"
Micky was so happy, he forgot himself and hugged Babbit! Realizing what he was doing, he pulled away quickly, but Babbit just laughed.
"Now go, Micky, take the rest of the day off! Take care of Davy! Then tomorrow we'll see about getting this awful furniture replaced and getting you some new office supplies!"
"Thank you again, Mr. Babbit!" Micky said as he made for the door, "And Merry Christmas to you!"
"And to you and your friends as well, Micky!" Babbit replied.
With a wave, Micky left the office and ran back to the pad to tell the others the good news.
Babbit was better than his word. After Davy fully recovered from his bad cold, Babbit arranged an operation for the young man. Thankfully, the operation was successful and Davy would not die. Babbit even arranged for Davy's grandfather to come over for a visit. When Davy came home to a pad filled with presents, he and the others cried and thanked Babbit for what he had done.
"Thank you, Mr. Babbit." Davy said to him, "May God bless you, and God bless us all...everyone!"
Babbit spent his remaining years spreading the Christmas spirit to others all year round. There was never a more kind employer or greater friend of the needy than he. When Babbit did die, he was greatly mourned as a true friend and benefactor, a great keeper of the spirit of Christmas.
THE END and Merry Christmas to all!
Chapter 8
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