Chapter 17 #2
“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 STARTED arriving 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.
“Merry Christmas,” he told her as Derek got him her second gift. She carried both of them back to where her mom waited for her. Then he continued handing out the last of the gifts to the kids.
By the time he got to the adults, Harm had his feelings under control, and it was much easier.
They got their presents and sat back down.
Finally Harm’s job was done, and he got up and waved goodbye.
A chorus of goodbye’s came up from the group, and he went back the way he’d come, closing the door before pulling off parts of the costume.
He’d been sweating but managed to get out of the suit and hang it up.
Then he pulled on his pants but left his shirt off just to help his skin cool.
“You did great, especially with that little girl. I spoke to her mother. Emily was born deaf, and you made her year by signing to her.” Derek hugged him and then backed away.
“You’re all sweaty.” Harm shrugged. In that suit, it was inevitable.
“Finish getting dressed and you can have something to eat, and later tonight we’ll see what we can do to get you all sweaty again. ”
Harm sat down to put his shoes back on. “I’m glad we could help,” he signed and then pulled on his shirt. “Sometimes I still wonder if I’m good enough. You know? It’s like I lost part of myself when I couldn’t talk.” Harm tried to find the words.
“Bullshit,” Derek told him. “You didn’t lose anything except the ability to speak.
You were a hero then and you’re still one now.
” Harm rolled his eyes, but Derek only stared back at him.
“You’re a silent hero, and if you need proof, just look at that little girl.
And besides, being able to talk is only a measure of how much we can jabber on.
You, sweetheart, are a man of action, and I’ll take that over anything or anyone.
If silence is golden, then you are twenty-four karat all the way.
” Derek sat on his lap and kissed him hard.