“WHAT DOyou need?”Harm asked as they walked through the shopping center.
“Actually, I wanted to find a store where I could get some Christmas treats.”He headed to a candy store and grinned.“We need chocolate Santas, candy canes, and holiday M&Ms, because it isn’t Christmas without them.”Derek grabbed two hand baskets and began filling them.“If there are kids, then they need all the fun stuff we can give them.”He added bags of Christmas treats, filling both baskets before heading to the checkout.
Harm unpacked the purchases at the register while Derek went back for something and returned with tins of butter cookies that he added to the pile.Once the cashier had totaled the bill, Derek paid and they loaded the booty into the car, and Harm drove them back to the house to get ready.
“What is all this?”Larry asked when he saw all the bags in the back of the car.
“Plenty of Christmas cheer,” Derek answered as they loaded the rest of what needed to go, changed clothes, and were soon on their way.
Once they arrived at the center, they stepped into chaos.The turkeys weren’t getting done, and potato casseroles needed to go into the ovens.
“It’s okay,” Derek told the guys who all seemed lost.“The turkeys probably have half an hour left to cook.So let them finish, and then we can put half of these casseroles in the ovens.Once they’re done, put the rest in.All of it isn’t going to be needed all at once.”
“Oh, bless you,” one of the guys said.“And what’s all this?”he asked, pointing at the bags.
“Enough candy to put every kid who comes in a sugar coma,” Larry explained.“We have those plastic bags left with balloons on them.We can make up candy bags for the kids.”Joe and Larry went off getting that organized.Derek had the guys organized with the food, and Harm stood around wondering where he was needed.Then Gary, a theater queen from way back, led him to a small closet and got him into the Santa suit, which fit fairly well, though it was a little tight in the shoulders.
“Oh, honey, if I ever found a man like you…,” Gary said, hands on his hips.Harm glared, but it didn’t faze Gary in the least.“Honey, I dreamed of a man like you fifty years ago when I was a little gay boy in Omaha.You would have made my heart go pitter-pat.Now I’d probably need an angioplasty.But an old queen can still dream.”He fussed with the fit of the suit.“It’ll work, but just keep everyone but the little kids off your lap.Some of these queens are feral.”
Harm wondered what the hell he had gotten himself in for, and finally pulled on the boots before going in search of Derek.He got a few catcalls, but he ignored them until he got to the kitchen and found Derek directing the carving of the turkey.It seemed the kitchen needed a leader, and danged if he hadn’t taken charge already.
He met Derek’s gaze and then turned around.“Do I look stupid?”he signed, wondering if he should just go and change back into his regular clothes.
Derek swallowed and came over, standing in front of him, arms folded across his chest.“Can I have everyone’s attention?I have an announcement.”Everything in the kitchen stopped.“I need you all to know that Santa is mine.You can borrow him for a few hours, but he’s mine and only I get to unwrap him at the end of the night.”
“Spoilsport,” one of the guys called, and everyone laughed.
Then Derek turned around, eyes dark and heated.“Does that answer your question?”
FAMILIES STARTEDarriving a little before five, and soon the place was pretty full.Plates were made up and delivered to each person at the tables.Kids were given treat bags thanks to Derek and his shopping spree and Larry and Joe making the bags.The room was festive and filled with cheer that only increased as the evening went on.Harm sat in one of the side rooms, the front of his Santa suit open so he didn’t get too hot.What he really needed was for someone to turn the temperature down.It was Arizona, and he was in a heavy suit, for goodness’ sake.
Larry hurried in and closed the door.“Okay.We have the presents in bags, and we’ll bring them out behind you.”He seemed stressed.“Just take this bag with you.It’s got some of the gifts for the kids.Joe and I will bring out the rest of the gifts for the kids, and once they’re passed out, we’ll do the adults.”
Harm pointed to his watch.“Oh, we’ll start in a few minutes.I want to give them a chance to eat, because as soon as you come out, the kids will be focused on that,” Larry explained, and he nodded.“Thanks for doing this.You and Derek have been life savers.We had three volunteers call in because they have the flu.”
Harm stood and hugged Larry tightly.He didn’t know how else to convey that he was happy to do it.Larry sniffled a little, and Harm felt his eyes get a little watery.He backed away, and Larry hugged him again.
“I’m so proud of you,” Larry said.Harm found himself swallowing, and then they pulled apart.
“Are you ready?”Joe asked, all excited.“The kids are about to tear the house down.”
Harm got the suit all in place and put on the scratchy beard before hefting the red bag and leaving the room.Derek met him just outside the door, and then they burst into the main room to squeals of delight and Derek chanting “Ho, ho, ho.”
Cries of delight went up, and Harm made his way to a chair covered in tinsel.He sat and began pulling out presents.Derek said the names, and they handed out the gifts to trembling kids, who bounced and jumped in excitement.
It was the most amazing sight Harm had ever seen.The gifts were simple toys, but each kid looked as though they had been given something wonderful.Harm swallowed hard more than once and kept a smile on his lips as Derek said all the great Santa things.
“Why don’t you talk?”a little boy asked.
Harm let Derek explain.“This is one of Santa’s special helpers.He isn’t able to talk, so he brought me along to help him.”
“You can’t talk at all?”
“This Santa talks with his hands,” Derek said, and Harm made the signs for “Merry Christmas” that Derek had taught him earlier.“Like that.”
A soft cry went up from the back of the room and a little girl, who was maybe five or so, raced around the tables and up to him.She began signing to him, and Harm set the bag aside and got on his knees, asking her name.She signed it to him, and Derek handed him the gift for her.“This is for you,” Harm signed.
“I love you, Santa,” she signed and then hugged him around the neck.He returned her hug, glad for the huge beard and wig because no one was going to see that he was crying.He had learned sign language in order to give himself a voice, but in doing so, he’d had no idea the kind of world he was opening himself up to.Derek had been right—deafness cut you off from people, but damned if he hadn’t just reconnected Santa to a little girl.That was probably the best gift he’d get this Christmas.Harm turned to Derek, the two of them sharing a smile as Derek placed a hand on his shoulder.
