Vinnie's Christmas

It was Christmas Eve 1961. I had been sober for two years and our house was brimming with the holiday spirit. My mother was visiting with my niece and nephew, who were in their early-teens. My wife was busy in the kitchen preparing our holiday feast. The children were awaiting Santa Claus. We had a perfectly shaped live tree. The strings of lights had been tested and we had plenty of extra bulbs. As we sat around the living room, I was with the spirit of Christmas. There was only one problem--it was my meeting night.