Prologue
PROLOGUE
THE MAN WITH THE BAG
T he stockings were hung by the chimney with care as the hockey players lined up for practice, with hopes that I’d fill them with all the things they wished for…
These #hockeyboys didn’t always play by the rules. Sometimes, I wondered if they deserved a stocking full of coal. But like all boys who teetered on the line between landing on the naughty side of Santa’s list, they deserved a chance at redemption.
For one, a Christmas wish from long ago…and as with this time of year, love is the greatest miracle of all.
Maybe that little boy who grew up will remember what he wished for…
Dear Santa,
Hi. How are you? I know I might be getting a little old to send you a letter like this, but I figure ten is on the edge of just being a kid and not yet a teenager like my brother and sister. But, I have a Christmas wish that I know only you can grant.
My mom is sad because my dad can’t be with us this year. He’s a Marine, and his job is protecting other kids like me that live far away from bad men. But she smiles when she talks about him, because she says he gave her the best thing in the world. Us. And he’s her best friend. Last night, I overheard her tell him on the one phone call they get every month that she wishes more than anything, that we get to be as happy as she is.
She laughed and I heard him say he did, too.
So, can you grant my mom’s wish? Because when she is sad, it makes me sad, too. And I want her to be happy until Dad comes home.
Thank you, sir.
Killian
Little did he know that this is one of my favorite wishes to grant. But it does take me a bit longer to arrange…