Chapter 7      

      She decided to leave the mission for a while and visit Delvin at the convenience store. She wanted to see the lotto numbers and talk to Delvin about donating some toys for the kids. She entered the store. “Hey Delvin, you got my winning lotto numbers?”

      “Sam, I just looked an nobody won the lotto last night so don’t come in here bugging me for no winnings.”

      Sam figured as much, “Okay, what were the numbers, maybe I won a little money.”

      Delvin gave her a slip of paper from the lotto with the numbers, “Here, look for yourself.”

      She examined the paper closely, “Man, I got nothing. I’ll tell you Delvin I don’t think I’m going to get any help. Okay, give me the same numbers for the next lotto.”

      “No wine Sam?”

      “Naw, I got to stay sober, I’m staying at the mission tonight.”

      “What’s the special occasion? I ain’t known you to spend a night at the shelter in a long time.”

      “Brad said I could do the Santa routine if I stay at the shelter for a night.”

      “You going to be able to do a night Sober?”

      “I don’t know Delvin.”

      Delvin just stood there for a second, “You never cease to amaze me.”

      “So, you going to donate some toys to the cause?”

      “Aw hell. I’ll pull some stuff together for you. Check back with me.” Sam left the convenience store feeling good, like she was really starting to put something together.

      Sam spent most of the day walking around the downtown area trying to mix with the regular work people. She went without lunch and was hungry. It was getting late and about time to return to the mission. She had to prepare for the evening meal and then try and get some sleep without the wine.

      That evening was not a pleasant one for Sam. She had the rubbery meat loaf and watery macaroni and cheese and made the best of it. She stood around talking to a few people for a short time and then was anxious to sleep and get the night over with. As the crowd began forming in the sleeping area Sam looked for a place to bed down for the night. There were cots for most everyone, but a few had to sleep on the floor in sleeping bags. The regulars had their spots all figured out so the newbies or irregulars like Sam had to figure out where to sleep. Finally, Brad yelled out across the hall to her, “Sam, I got a spot for you over here. C’mon, it should a little quieter over here.”

      “Thanks Brad, I appreciate it. I’m sure this’ll be fine.”

      She settled in on a cot by the wall and attempted to go to sleep. Sam was feeling like she needed some wine to go to sleep. The whips and jingles were setting in. She was suddenly covered in sweat, and her hands were shaking. She laid on the cot face up and pulled the blanket up over herself. Chills had set in, and the blanket felt good. She closed her eyes as thoughts were racing through her mind about what the night would bring. She tried to think about being Santa tomorrow. Suddenly across the hall someone screamed out, “God help everyone in this mission!”

      Sam flinched but kept her eyes closed and continued to try and sleep. It felt pretty good to be warm for a change, but she couldn’t stop her mind from racing. The slightest noise caused her to lose concentration, and she would start thinking about something else. Finally, after thinking about everything repeatedly she began to get exhausted. She finally slipped off to sleep.

      After coming into near semi-conciseness several times during the night for various reasons, Sam began to wake up. The mission people were going around waking everyone for breakfast. It was early and she knew the regimen. Get up and take several minutes to compose yourself and then get in line for breakfast. She could already smell it cooking. Sam felt somewhat refreshed, but still didn’t feel much better than when she stayed in the water gardens. She went to the kitchen with everyone else and got a hot plate of scrambled eggs and toast. There was a large area of tables for everyone to sit at and eat. People were beginning to wake and start talking.

      A voice suddenly spoke up from down the table, “Hey Sam, what’re you doing here?”

      Sam looked down the table and spotted an old friend, “Hey Jackson, I’m trying something new. It’s not working out so good.”

      “What do you mean, I thought you said you’d never stay in this place again.”

      “I changed my mind. I decided to try it again, but it’s not working out like I thought.”

      “Well, you got to admit the food’s better than it was a few months ago.”

      She shrugged somewhat in agreement, “So what’ve you been doing lately.”

      Jackson was finished eating and moved down the table next to Sam, “I been takin some medicine. I don’t drink hardly at all anymore and I spend the night at the shelter. I also got a job at the Winn Dixie bagging groceries.”

      “Sounds great. You going to be able to move out soon to your own place?”

      “That’s what I’m hoping. It’s been a long time since I had my own place.”

      They talked a little longer and Sam finished her breakfast. She went to the lobby of the shelter to set up for the kids. Sam walked to the side room where the kids were playing yesterday and Brad had set up a chair on a wooden pallet so she would be above everyone else. There was also a small Christmas tree with decorations sitting beside the chair. There were some decorations on the wall, and a small radio was playing Christmas music. Sam was really impressed. Brad had gone all out and done a great job getting everything ready. Now the only thing left was for Sam to do her bit.

      Brad walked up behind her, “Hey Sam how’d you do last night.”

      “Oh, it wasn’t too bad, I got some sleep. Brad, you really out did yourself. This looks great.”

      “Well, I told some of the people around here what you were doing, and they wanted to pitch in and help. Maybe this’ll be a Christmas for these kids to remember.”

      Sam smiled, “I’m going to put the Santa suit on why don’t you round the kids up.”

      “Okay Sam, I’ll get em ready.”

      She looked around the room one more time taking in the atmosphere of Christmas. The songs reminded her of her childhood and the great presents and good feelings she used to have at Christmas. “Here comes Santa Clause” was playing. She decided it was time to go to the bathroom just off the lobby. She changed into the Santa suit. She had everything ready and stood in front of the mirror. As she stood in there, the final touch was put on, the beard. She looked like the real Santa. She just looked in the mirror admiring herself. She was now ready to go sit in the chair and listen to the kids.