Free Mary’s Son by Darryl Nyznyk Page B

without her coat,” said Mr. Johnson.
    “It’s okay, Mr. Johnson. Mr. Stevens will turn the heat on in the car,” said Sarah.
    “We must be off,” Nicholas chimed in. He smiled with a deep satisfaction and some wonder that Sarah had seen so clearly the miracle of the day. He silently prayed his thanks and tried his best not to make a fuss over Sarah’s newfound generosity.
Best to let it keep coming to Sarah slowly so she could become accustomed to the joy of giving
, he thought. The fact of the matter, however, was that it was getting late and they had a party to attend. “We mustn’t be late for your father’s Christmas party,” he finally said.

     
    STEVENS maneuvered the big vehicle backward down the long driveway, and Nicholas turned to Sarah. “I didn’t think you’d join us,” he said.
     
    Sarah’s smile disappeared slowly as she turned to Nicholas, embarrassed, and said, “I was going to run away. I…ran into some boys.… I was scared. That’s why I came back.”
    “Well, we’re glad you did.”
    They smiled at each other for several seconds before Sarah’s face took on a quizzical look.
    “You really are Santa Claus, aren’t you?”
    Nicholas’s smile broadened, and he nodded slowly, “Yes…I am.”
    Sarah turned to the window contentedly. She wasn’t sure why she felt such peace because nothing had changed with her father. Yet something had happened to her. She could feel it. She wasn’t immersed in herself. Her thoughts were of the kids and the joy they experienced through the love of this man…this Santa…and her own unselfish act.
    It was early evening and almost dark as Stevens drove on the outskirts of the Sink on his way to Penford Heights.
    “Jonathan, turn left at the next corner, will you? I have one other thing I must do,” instructed Nicholas.
    “The party starts in less than two hours, Sir.”
    “I’ll be brief. Please.”
    Seconds later, Nicholas instructed Stevens to stop in front of an old house. Nicholas stepped out of the car and walked toward a group of boys in the garage. Jared and his friends stared first at Nicholas and then at the vehicle where Sarah’s face appeared open-mouthed and wide-eyed at the window.
    “Jared, may I speak to you?” asked Nicholas.
    Jared was stunned. He’d never met this man, and there was no way either he or the girl could possibly know his name. Yet they were here. The girl had ratted them out somehow. He looked at his friends, who stared back dumbfounded. He motioned them to stay put and walked to Nicholas.
    “What do you want? We didn’t do nothing to her.” He motioned to the car.
    “Please, don’t do this thing you’re planning,” Nicholas said.
    Jared stared at him for a moment, until it was clear he hadn’t come to do anything about the confrontation with the girl outside the children’s home.
    “What’re you talking about?” Jared finally asked.
    “You know, Jared. It’ll get you nothing.”
    “Hey, who are you, old man? Get outta here.”
    “There’s another way,” Nicholas continued.
    “I told you to leave,” Jared commanded and took a threatening step toward Nicholas.
    Not intimidated, Nicholas nevertheless raised his hand and said, “I’ve come only to talk.”
    “Well, I don’t want to talk. Now get outta here.”
    Nicholas shook his head sadly and then slowly turned away.
    Inside the house, Amanda, who stared out the window, shouted to her mother, “It’s Jared, Momma. He’s talking to a man.… Hey, it’s Santa.”
    Mary had lifted Billy and followed the twins to the window to see Jared staring after Nicholas, who walked back to the car. She recognized Nicholas immediately as the man who had so enthralled the children at the mall just the daybefore. She walked to the front door and called out to her son as the car drove off.
    “Jared, what was that all about?” she asked.
    “Nothing, Mom. He was just asking directions,” Jared responded.
    Mary didn’t believe him but knew she