HOTLINE (297 words)

Sara lay down on her bed, pulling up the warm blanket. Her cat jumped up soon after, and began to purr as it thought of sleep. Sara took her phone from the night stand and dialed the number. It rang twice and Linda answered.

It’s me, Sara.

Hello, Sara.

Hello.

How are you feeling tonight?

Not so good, Linda. You?

I’m fine, Sara. Just working.

Do you like your job?

Come on, Sara. You know how this works.

Yes, I know. I talk and you listen.

What do you want to talk about, Sara?

I don’t know.

Well, why don’t you start by telling me why you called tonight?

Because I’m mad, Linda.

Mad at what?

Everything.

Now, Sara, remember—specifics, please.

Okay. I found an old photo today. With my mom in it.

Tell me about the photo, Sara.

I just did, Linda! It was of mom in front of our Christmas tree.

That sounds pretty!

No, Linda, it wasn’t “pretty”! It…was…my…mom! Don’t you get it? Don’t you remember why I have called so many times?

Sara, please calm down.

I’m going to end it! I swear!

Sara, you are strong. I believe in you.

I believed in Santa, Linda! And my mom! Turns out, they were both lies!

Your mom left at Christmas, right?

Yes!. Told me Santa didn’t exist and I should never had been born. Dad would have stayed, if not for me.

Then she left?

Then she left.

And that is when your “thoughts” started?

Yes.

How can I help you right now, Sara?

Tell me Santa is real. If he is, then I’m real, too. And if I am real, I’m worth something.

Santa is real, Sara, and he wants you to be good.

Then, I’ll be good. For goodness’ sake.