Micah's Gift - A Christmas Countdown Story by Lady Li Andre

Author:Lady Li Andre
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: chicago, lady li andre, reindeer, zoo, micahs gift, santa, recovery after tragedy, christmas

December 15

I walked the entire building. There were only two bags of recycling and most of it was not on the list. I kept the few pieces and took the rest down to the bin. There was a light dusting of snow on the walkway but Mr. Anderson hadn't put out the shovel.

The walk to school seemed bleak. The sky looked red. I knew it was just the lights of the city reflected on the clouds but it felt oppressive. Scattered flakes drifted down as I slipped into school. There were a few other kids headed for the cafeteria. They looked hunched over. It was like the sky outside was pressing down on everyone inside.

I hung up my coat and left my backpack in my locker. I decided to carry my Biology stuff so I wouldn't have to come back after I walked Christy to English. At least the breakfast was good.

The first bell rang and I headed out, not sure where I was going to find her. It turned out to be easier than I thought. I just followed Derek's voice. He was taunting her about the crutches. “Bottles for eyes and sticks for legs. What kind of creature is it?”

I wanted to smack him. I pushed through the other kids and put myself between him and Christy. “I bet you're on the naughty list. Maybe you should find a way to correct that.”

He glared at me. “Are you a sissy boy who still believes in Santa Claus?”

“Hard not to when he lives next door.” I held out my hand and Christy gave me her backpack. We started down the hall toward the science wing. The other kids moved off toward their lockers leaving Derek standing alone.

Christy stopped at her locker. “Santa lives next door?”

I was concerned by her tone. “Uh, yeah. Sort of. The guy who lives next door dresses up like Santa every year. Looks just like a Santa, too. Has the white beard and hair. He even has the jolly laugh.”

She forced a smile. “Must be a sign of climate change. Santa has moved from the North Pole to Chicago.”

She sounded like she was going to cry. “Is your foot hurting bad this morning?”

She shut her locker. Her eyes looked glassy. “It's not my foot. Someone came into the shop last night. He was interested in the reindeer.”

My throat closed up. I struggled to swallow it down. We moved down the hall toward English. I paused at the door. “Did it get sold?”

She shook her head. “My grandpa said if you didn't come in for it tomorrow, he is going to have to sell it to someone else.”

A black hole started swirling around me. “I've only got thirty two dollars so far. I've been trying everything to come up with more.”

The bell rang. She put a hand on my arm. “You're going to be late. You'd better get to class.”

Ms. Fillmore came to the door. “Micah, where are you supposed to be?”

Reality shook me. “Biology. Sorry. I'd better run.

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