The Gift

                                                            The Gift


         The mountains were veiled in clouds as a winter storm watch was in effect.  Kathy Sabine, channel 9's meteorologist was warning of a massive storm set to hit on Christmas Eve.
         A young boy walked down the street, feeling the biting cold of the wind going through his light jacket, he hugged it closer to his body. Turning the corner, his eyes opened wide as he stood infront of the City and County building.  It's enclaves glowing in red and green, above was a star, radiating with a bright white light. 
         He stood transfixed, he had never seen anything like this.  A blast of cold air hit him as he walked down the street. He stopped at all the windows, each window had a scene, a mechanical Santa building a toy, electric elves going up and down.  In the center of another window was a Christmas tree, it's lights twinkled  and danced.  The street was crowded with last minute shoppers.
         The snow began to fall, at first, like pellets, he wrapped his tattered jacket around him and bent his head against the wind.  Through a window, he saw a large brightly decorated Christmas tree.  On the tables are trays of ham, turkey, cheeses, and bread.
         Walking through the door he felt the warmth of a fireplace.  A  man standing at the bar rushed up to him and roughly turned him back out  into the cold.
         “We don't allow the likes of you in here, now get out and stay out!” The man said angrily, as he slammed the door closed behind him. Tears fell as the boy tried to wrap his jacket tighter against the hard blowing wind.
         As he passed a restaurant, he stopped, his breath fogged the glass, wiping it off, he looked inside. The place was crowded with people, laughing and singing.  As he opened the door, a man came over to him.
         “You can't come in, this is a private party.”  He said.
         Seeing the boy hungrily gaze at the food, he made him a sandwich, “here take this and leave.”  The boy accepted the sandwich as he was pushed out the door.  It had been so long since he eaten anything, he almost swallowed it whole. His stomach growled as he fought the wind and snow.
         In the distance, he saw the soft glowing lights of Union Station. His feet were like ice, his face felt frozen, his hands numbed by the cold, did not want to bend.  Still he managed to open one of the large, heavy wooden doors and stepped inside.
         It was crowded, people standing and sitting waiting for the buses and trains.  In the center stood a magnificent Christmas tree.  Decorated with large bulbs and thousands of twinkling lights.  He stood infront of it, enthralled.
         In the corner, was a small restaurant, the red neon light blinked, “Scotties”.  He sat at a table.  An older lady saw him sit down and walked over to him.  She saw his tattered jacket, his jeans were ripped in the knees, his shoes were old and worn out. 
         “You don't have any money do you.” She said quietly. Shaking his head no, he looked at her, his brown eyes wide, she put her hand on his, clearing her throat, she patted his hand.
         “Don't you move, I'll be right back.” She said, as she walked to the counter.  He saw her talking with a man, turning she pointed at him then he saw her walk into the kitchen.  A moment later, she came out with a burger and fries.
         “Here,” She said quietly, “this is for you, an don't worry about paying for it, it's on us, the boss and me.” Then she asked, “where's your mom and dad.”
         “Don't got one.” He said sticking a fry in his mouth.
         “You mean your all alone?” She breathed. Standing up she patted his hand again and walked to the man.
         “He says he doesn't have family Chris.” She said as she looked worriedly at the boy sitting at the table.  It was obvious, he had not had anything to eat for quite a while.
         “Why don't you take him home with you.” Said Chris as he looked at the boy. 
         “Can't, it's a one bedroom apartment, and the manager doesn't like kids.” She replied anxiously.  Adding, “why can't you take him with you.”
         “Marlene, we barely have enough for us.” He said quietly. Reaching into his pocket, he gave her an envelope.
         “No Chris,” She said shaking her head, “you and Holly need this more than I do.” 
         “Marlene, it's not that much, besides Holly and I know how much this means to you and we, Holly and me, want you to have it.”  He said as he put it in the pocket of her apron.
         “Why don't you leave now.  This storm is getting worse and you have a long drive ahead of you.”  He said worriedly, as he helped her on with the jacket.
         As Marlene left she walked to the boy at the table.  Patting his hand, she told him Merry Christmas.
         Chris looked at the small boy sitting at the table by himself, looking lonely and forlorn.  Using his cell he called his wife, Holly.  As he hung up the phone he walked over to the boy with a piece of pumpkin pie.
         “You know son, Marlene told me you don't have a family.  I would like to invite you to come home with me and be with my family tonight.” He said softly. 
         As he turned the lights off and lowered the metal screen, he took the boy's hand and they walked through the deepening snow to his Jeep.
         Driving through neighborhoods of brightly lit houses, the boy marveled, as he had never seen anything like this. Pulling into a driveway, the lights on the house blinked a merry green and red.
         As they walked inside, his wife Holly greeted them.  She gave Chris a kiss then bent over and shook his hand.
         “I am so glad you came.” She said with a smile.
         “Brian,” She said, “why don't you come and meet our guest.  A moment later a tall boy about his age came racing down the stairs.
         “Come on up.” He said waving his hand, “got some games we can play.  Whens dinner Mom.”
         “In a few.” She replied, as the boys ran up the stairs.
          Chris sat down heavily in a chair, he buried his head in his hands. For a year now, he had worked,  but nothing seemed to go right.  This economy was killing his business, the trains and buses that use to run, now had been cut back to almost nothing.  People could not afford to travel and without them, his business was going down fast.
         He had made inquiries at his bank, a customer for over twenty years, they would not return his calls.  They had received offers on their house, but the offers were below what they owed.
         Things were not looking good;  but, it was Christmas, everything could be handled next week he thought as he looked out the window at the falling snow.
         “Dinners ready.” Said Holly, adding, “would you please call the boys down.” 
         There were ham slices, potatoes with cheese, creamed corn and green bean casserole.  For dessert they had a choice of apple or pumpkin pie. 
         “What do they call you.” Said Chris to the boy.
         “My name is Noah.” He said as he put a piece of ham in his mouth.
         “Well Noah,” Said Holly, “We have a tradition in our house.  On Christmas Eve I read from the bible?” She said as she ate a piece of pie.
         A moment later, the boys were seated on the carpet in front of the fireplace.  Holly took out the bible and began to read, “there were shepherds watching their flock by night and lo' the angel of the Lord came upon them and they were sore afraid.....As she read, a light began to glow in the room, getting brighter and brighter,  until the house was engulfed within a warm radiant light.  Looking down, the boy Noah was no longer there.
         Outside the snow had stopped and the sky had cleared.  In amazement, the three walked out, as they gazed up at the star-studded sky, a bright glowing object lit the night as it flew over then disappeared.  Not understanding what had just happened, Holly looked at her husband in disbelief.
          “I believe the child Jesus was with us tonight.” She whispered awestruck.
         A moment later, the phone rang, it was his friend Tom at the bank giving Chris the news the bank had decided to grant him his loan.  The three stood outside, warmly embraced in each others arms.