Kevin Wade Johnson
2023
No Crying at Christmas I looked from where I sat at the little boy, whose eyes had welled up. I won't say I was perplexed, because I've seen everything, but I wasn't expecting it, either. I mean, usually when you've got a small child in a department store in December, they're flying around like a miniature comet, dashing and dancing and blitzing. So to speak. Here we were, surrounded by blinking lights, hanging garlands, trees full of decorations, racks and bins of toys and games and dolls and all the rest. Not to mention children laughing, whining, screaming, yelling. And here he was ready to cry. I beckoned to him, and he came over. I said, "What's the matter there, young man?" He said, "Santa, can I ask for something special for Christmas?" "Of course you can," I said. Yeah, I answer to Santa. In this place and time, when I'm wearing the white-trimmed red, of course I do. "But I can't promise you'll get it. Christmas isn't Christmas if we know what we're getting ahead of time." "Okay," he said, doubt in his voice. "So, what's your special request?" "I never see my dad anymore." His lower lip was trembling. "I love my mom, but I want my dad home for Christmas." He looked like he was going to burst out with the tears, so I said, "Now, now, no crying at Christmas." I furrowed my brow and pursed my lips. He said, "You can't get my dad to see me?" "I'll let you in on a secret," I said, leaning toward him. He leaned in as well. I whispered, "Santa doesn't do people." "You don't?" I shook my head. "Can't. Everyone was asking for movie stars." I made a face. "Especially producers." He looked at me, eyes huge. "But then, what do I do?" "Tell you what. Santa can do this much. You got a phone?" "No. Maybe when I'm older." "Santa's gonna bring you a voice recorder." "What's that?" "You press a button, it records what you say, to play back later. "Every day, you record a little more for your dad to hear. Something you did that day, a song…something. Doesn't matter. Because wh
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