Chapter 17

      “You know Brad, I really feel like Santa Claus.”

      Brad laughed, “You are Santa Claus tonight my friend, you are Santa Claus tonight.”

      “I wish I could do this for all the kids everywhere. This seems like such a small part of the country or even the world. There should be more.”

      “Look Sam, one person can only do so much. The good lord gave you the means to help these kids here and now. You’ve done a magnificent job. Come on, enjoy the evening along with everyone else.”

      “Listen Brad, do me a favor, don’t make a big deal about me providing the presents for tonight, okay?”

      “Sure Sam, we’ll just have a good time tonight.”

      Sam decided it was time to get into her old beat up Santa suit. She suited up and relaxed while waiting for the kids to come into the main lobby. The room was filled with joy as Christmas Eve celebrations got into full swing. There was traditional Christmas music, good food, presents, and Santa Claus. People were having a good time talking with each other.

      Sam was sitting in the big Santa chair off the main lobby talking with one of the shelter people when the kids came around the corner. They all yelled at once, “Yeahhhhhhhhhhhh, it’s Santa!” They rushed the Santa chair and began hugging Santa, still not knowing it was Samantha Coley. They then spotted the toys they had requested just a day earlier and rushed over to them. There was much laughing and squealing. They had real toys to play with. Brad also informed the kids and the parents of the jobs and rehab that was waiting for those who wanted to participate.

      Latisha came up to Sam and gave Santa a big hug. “Thank you, Santa, this is the best Christmas I’ve ever had.”

      Sam closed her eyes and gave her a big hug back, “You’re welcome sweetheart. I hope we can have a whole lot more just like it.” Latisha suddenly pulled back and looked Sam right in the eyes. She had heard that “sweetheart” voice before. It was familiar, but she couldn’t place it. Sam, still looking at the other kids, gently put her down and said, “Look at the new doll waiting for you.” Her focus was successfully shifted, and she ran off to play with her toys. Sitting back in the Santa chair she just took everything in. The kids were enjoying their toys, people talking to each other, and a feeling of family. It was great to see all the kids happy.

      After a while Sam got up and walked out the main lobby door into the parking lot. It was turning cold, and a thick fog was moving in. The weatherman had been saying there’s a chance of snow on Christmas Eve, but Sam was laughing about it. That sort of thing was extremely rare in Fort Worth. She stood there for a second as the fog was getting heavy. The city seemed eerily quiet.

      There were three guys just outside the mission parking lot, sitting on the curb passing around several bottles of Christmas Eve wine. They positioned themselves just outside the area where alcohol was allowed at the mission. Normally even in this area Brad would come out and run them off, but they knew he would leave them alone tonight. They were regulars from way back if they knew Brad that well.