Page 12 of Naughtying Up St. Nick

I wish I could foster him. I brought it up with Lily once last summer, but she said there were too many things that would get me disapproved.

“We’ll find the perfect home for him,” Lily says with a bracing smile. “Don’t worry.”

She leaves to follow George, and I have to stop myself from calling after her, demanding to know who it was that hit George. I could show the monster how it feels to really get punched. But any kind of assault like that would get me barred from working with kids permanently.

So instead, I find Aubrey and let her know I’m taking a break. Then I leave to find a deserted place to smoke because I’m going to need it if I still have to put up with Jackie after that.

Seven

Calvin

I’m not the only one who senses the tension between Harlow and his sister. It hangs over all of us.

The moment Jacklyn stormed out of the office earlier, I’d wanted to go in and check on Harlow, but I didn’t think he’d want me in there.

So I just went to work talking to the kids. There are even more today than there were the last few days. I get asked for so many toys and things I haven’t even heard of. I watch some parents taking notes, making sure their kids get what they want from Santa without ruining the magic of it.

They’re all so happy and bubbly that I’m able to put the Harlow situation from my mind. The only kid who’s not excited is a little boy named George. He’s about seven and has a black eye that looks so painful I wince a little when I see it.

“Hey, there,” I say, settling him on my knee. “What’s your name?”

“George,” the boy mumbles.

“What would you like Santa to bring you this year?”

George stares down at his hands. “I want the same thing I asked for last year. But you didn’t get it for me. Miss Lily says you just didn’t find the right one. Is that true? You didn’t find the right family for me?”

The question guts me. What kid should have to ask for a family for Christmas? Harlow had told me there was a boy here who was in the foster system, but I wasn’t prepared for a question like this. Not after being asked for new bikes and dolls and electronics.

I put a gloved hand on George’s knee. “Miss Lily is right; I haven’t found the right one. But I promise I have my best elves working on it.”

George gives me a solemn nod. I wish I could guarantee him a family right now, but I don’t. I have no idea where he’ll end up. The best thing I can do is give him some hope that someone out here is looking out for him.

“Is there anything else I can get you for Christmas?”

He chews on his lower lip for a minute before murmuring, “I want a telescope so I can look at the stars.”

“Well, I know an elf that can personally get his hands on that for you.” I’ll buy the damn thing myself if I have to.

George leans closer to me, lowering his voice. “Is Harlow an elf too? Marcus Quimbley at school said he isn’t, but he has to be, right?”

Without meaning to, I glance up to find Harlow watching us from the side, his arms resting on the garland-wrapped fence.

“Harlow is an elf,” I tell George with a conspiratorial wink. “He works all year long to help me. But we can’t tell anyone else because it’s a secret. That’s why he’s not dressed as an elf.”

“I knew it.” George beams before miming locking his lips. “I’ll keep it a secret.”

“I know you will.”

George hops down from my lap and meets up with the woman I assume is Lily before turning back to give me a little wave.

It’s no wonder why Harlow cares so much for these kids, and it’s obvious George adores him. I just wish there was more I could do for him.

***

I don’t see Harlow again until I’m on my lunch break, and even, I have to track him down because he doesn’t come near the office.

I find him on the tailgate of his truck, drinking a cup of coffee. He flashes me that easygoing smile I’m getting so used to.

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