Page 455 of The Parkers' Handsome Holiday
“Hey there, kid,” Chadwick said. “What’s your name?”
“Henry.”
“Henry! Of course. I knew that. I know the names of all the children who believe in me. It’s just that you look very much like this other boy I know from Canada named Kevin.”
I marveled at how smooth he was, how joyful he was, and how he effortlessly put young Henry at ease.
“Your parents were always on the Nice List, you know, Henry,” Chadwick said, giving Henry a playful poke in the belly. Henry giggled. “It’s true. They were good kids, just like you. Now, since you’ve been so good, I might be able to leave a special something under your tree on Christmas morning. What do you want for Christmas, Henry?”
Henry thought hard about his answer. “I want… I want…”
“Yes?” Chadwick encouraged.
The photographer snapped photos and so did Henry’s father as Henry, full of wonder and true belief that Chadwick was Santa, gazed up into those hazel eyes I’d gotten lost in last night.
“I want a puppy.”
Chadwick hesitated.
I looked up at the parents, who nodded and gave me a thumbs-up. A puppy was already in the works apparently.
Well played, Mom and Dad. I leaned forward to catch Chadwick’s eye and gave him the nod.
He bounced Henry on his knee. “You know, taking care of a puppy is hard work.”
“I know.”
“The puppy will depend on you for love and discipline and food and water. And you know what happens when puppies eat and drink, right?”
Henry frowned thoughtfully. “They poop?”
“That’s right. They poop! And if your puppy poops, are you going to leave the mess for Mom or Dad to clean up every time, or are you going to help?”
“I’ll help, Santa,” Henry promised.
Chadwick arched an eyebrow. “You’re sure?”
Henry nodded eagerly.
Chadwick patted his back. “All right then. I believe you. I’ll see how many puppies we have at the North Pole. A lot of kids are asking for one, too.”
The adorable conversation was interrupted as the photographer called for Henry’s attention and snapped some shots for the parents to purchase. When the whole affair was done, Henry slid off Chadwick’s knee and let me take his hand to lead him to the exit, where he would get a candy cane to suck on while his parents waited for the photos to be developed.
Henry paused and turned back to Chadwick. “Santa?”
Chadwick leaned forward with a twinkle in his eye. “Yes, Henry?”
“If there aren’t enough puppies, it’s okay. I don’t need one. I can wait until next year.”
I met his mother’s eye, who looked on the verge of tears at her son’s gesture of kindness.
Santa invited Henry to come close again and put his hands on his tiny shoulders. “You are a very special boy with a big heart. Never stop looking out for others. Kindness goes a long way. Merry Christmas, Henry.”
“Merry Christmas Santa.”
The parents thanked Chadwick profusely, and while the next people in line encouraged their nervous daughter to come up to us, Chadwick looked up at me. “How’d I do?”
I wiped away tears.
