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Chapter 2
Marnie
Gabriel the biker was better looking every time I saw him. He seemed to make it a point to sit in my section every time. I always had a weakness for big men with tattoos. That’s how Sam came about. His father wanted nothing to do with him and I can’t honestly say that was a bad thing. Even if the financial help would make life so much easier, dealing with Chris would drive me to the brink of insanity.
Somehow, though, I didn’t think Gabriel would be like that. He didn’t know how much his tip money helped us, or maybe he did and that was why he did it. Either way, I certainly wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth.
My shift finally ended at two in the morning. I got into my car and as she warmed up, counted the money in my purse. I think I had enough for a small Christmas tree and the truck Sam wanted. Then my eye went to the gas tank that was lit up.
Payday was still a week away and we had almost no food and I needed gas. With a dejected sigh, I put the money back in my purse. Maybe after being responsible, I can get a Matchbox toy or something.
*~*~*~*~*
I walked into my apartment and put away the few food items I’d picked up. I managed to get a small toy truck. I found some twine in a drawer and fashioned something like a bow out of it and left it next to the paper tree Sam and Mrs. Abrams made.
While it was nothing like most kids' Christmases, it was something. When he woke up, Mrs. Abrams would bring him over. She thankfully lived across the hall so it made everything easier.
I looked around the clean apartment filled with ratty used furniture and tore my eyes away before I started to cry again. It was better than living in a car or under a bridge, that was the important thing. It was safe and clean, and it was home.
I looked at the clock and saw it was almost five in the morning. There was no point in going to sleep now. So instead I would take a shower and get ready to spend the day with my son and love on him all day. We didn’t have much but we had love in abundance.
It was a few short minutes later as I was putting on some yoga pants and an old comfy sweater that my doorbell rang. It couldn’t be Sam and Mrs. Abrams. They had a key and if I was sleeping they wouldn't want to wake me. Who on earth was at my door at dawn?
I looked out my peephole and blinked in surprise. Throwing the door open I looked at the man I never imagined would show up here. “Gabriel, w-what are you doing here?”
His smile was a thing of beauty. His blue eyes sparkled with mischief and his scruff was just enough to make his smile look almost devilish. He stood a good foot taller than me and twice as wide. I didn’t think there was an ounce of fat on the man. He was a beautiful wall of tattooed muscle.
“A little bird told me about a Christmas wish. I’ve been sent by Santa of course.”
I couldn’t contain the giggle of surprise. “Wait, let me get Sam.” He blinked in surprise before moving out of the way and letting me walk by him to the door across the hallway.
I knocked lightly when within seconds Sam threw open the door. “Momma!” he exclaimed as he threw himself at me.
“Samuel Shelby, you know better than to open the front door without an adult with you,” Mrs. Abrams chastised as she came to the door as well. “Good morning, Marnie. Who is this handsome man?”
“Name’s Gabriel ma’am. I’m Santa’s helper today.” Gabriel’s wink at Sam almost made me giggle.
I held Sam up in my arms so he didn’t have to look so high up. “You are? Momma, does he really work for Santa?”
“That’s what he says,” I smiled at him. “Good morning, my sweet boy. Merry Christmas.”
Sam’s tight arms around my neck were everything to me. “Merry Christmas, Momma.” I closed my eyes for a few moments as I just soaked in his love.
“How about we see why Gabriel was sent especially from Santa?” I asked with a bright smile.
Sam nodded and immediately straightened up and looked at Gabriel. “You don’t look like an elf or anything.”
Gabriel chuckled as he answered, “That’s because I’m not an elf. Now and then, Santa employs a normal person to fix a mistake he made.”
Sam gasped in horror, his eyes wide. “Santa makes mistakes?”
“He does. It’s a really big job being Santa and there are millions of kids around the world. So every now and then he makes a mistake. But Santa asked me to say he was sorry and he hopes this makes up for it.” I watched as he stepped out of the way to show the mountain of packages behind him.
“Gabriel,” I gasped as tears filled my eyes. I put a wiggling Sam down as he ran over to the packages to take a look. I put my hand over my mouth, the joy of the moment cracked a wall inside of me and all of my emotions threatened to break free. I felt Mrs. Abrams’ arms wrap around me in a side hug as tears escaped her eyes as well.
Our special Santa took my hand in his and kissed my cheek, before turning around and saying to Sam, “How about we get everything inside and see what all he sent?”
“Okay, I’ll help,” Sam exclaimed as he grabbed a bag and took it inside our apartment.
