Santa?

It didn’t snow that Christmas. Well it never really snowed down here in Savannah, Georgia on the dark side of the tracks. Tumbleweeds flew across the railroad tracks as the sun blazed high in the sky. But it was Christmas for everyone else-for us it was just another day we were happy to live. My brothers and I awoke on our mattress to the sound of privileged children frolicking down our streets with their toys in hand and smiles on faces. We awoke next to each other in shabby clothing we’d worn for weeks. We didn’t say anything; we just sat in the silence for a moment.
After fully realizing we had been given another day on this god-forsaken earth we moved to living room. Nothing had changed which means nothing was taken in dark of the night but something was different. The floors still creaked, the window still boarded up, the couch still covered with dust and no Christmas tree stood in the corner of our dusty, dark, damp living room but something was different. Mother was gone for the day and father had long passed away so we just stood at the door of the living room but something was different.
On the table laid out was an apple, orange and nuts for my brothers but for me on the other side of the room was an apple, orange and small rag doll. Smiles slithered upon our faces and hope for happy days filled our hearts. We couldn’t have been happier.
I suppose it was Christmas after all; for everyone. Even for the kids on the dark side of the tracks down here in blazing Savannah. But there was no Santa. No snow. No Christmas tree. No reindeers or grumpy grinch down here in this side of the track.

But it was Christmas after all.