Little Tommie stood on the loading dock watching. A lone figure dropped off a boxcar and lost himself quickly in the misty shadows. It took several minutes to pass through town. Except for a wave from the engineer, Tommie's expectations were for nothing. A red caboose rattled by. He turned away, his eyes filled with tears.

He walked slowly back toward his home, kicking rocks and cans and stuff. His toes stung from the cold. A large mangy mutt trotted along the street not far from where Tommie was walking. Seeing the boy, he came to him dipping his head and wagging his tail.

When the dog was only a short distance from him, Tommie picked up a rock larger than his hand and hurled it with all his might. "Take THAT Gerry Stevens!" he cried, hot tears streaming down his cheeks. "I don't care 'bout no stupid man in a red suit anyways," he screamed.

The stone struck the dog soundly on the joint of his leg, breaking it. The animal howled painfully and hobbled away through a darkened alley.