by Angella Gailey

Created on: December 07, 2011

Kit looked around, amazed at what she saw. The toys seemed to go on for miles, and there seemed to be more elves than there were toys. “Welcome, Kitrina.” Kit turned around and saw Santa, Santa himself, standing right behind her. How had she gotten to be so lucky?

“H…h…hi, S…s….s…Santa,” Kit could barely get the words out, she was so nervous. “How did I get here?”

“Each year, I pick out one child who asks for nothing for themselves. The most selfless child gets brought to my workshop to pick out whatever toy they want. This year, that girl is you, Kitrina. You can have your pick of anything you want.” Santa’s big smile put Kitrina at ease. She had no idea when she wrote her letter to Santa that year, that she would get this.

During the past year Kit’s family had been through a lot. Her father had left and started a new family with his girlfriend and her mom had to go back to work. It didn’t seem to matter how much Kit’s mom worked, there never seemed to be enough money for her and her sister. Her father would occasionally help out, but Kit knew that her mom would not be able to afford Christmas for their small family. Kit had only asked that her mom would be home for the holiday. She had looked so tired when she had come home form work for the past couple of weeks, and Kit wanted her to be able to get some sleep.

“I don’t know, Santa. I don’t need anything, but my mom sure could use some time to herself. If I had to pick one thing out of everything I see here, it would have to be a doll for my sister. I have one that is just fine, but my sister’s broke last month and she wants nothing else. All I want is a new dress. Mine is old and worn.” Kit was used to not having much, and she wanted to make sure everyone got something for Christmas.

“Ho, Ho, Ho,” Santa laughed. “I’m sure we can do that. “ As Santa turned to leave, something caught Kit’s eye.

“Santa?” she asked. He turned back around and looked at her, his eyes glistening, “There is one thing I would like, for me. I have never had a teddy bear in my entire life. Is there any way I can have one to cuddle with at night while my mom is gone?”

Santa smiled at her sweetly, “Of course, little one, “ he said, “but first we need to get you home. Your mom will be home soon and she will worry if you are not in your bed.”

As Kit turned back around, she saw the room begin to spin and mix with those of her own, plain room. She looked over at her sister, sleeping in her bed and she heard her mother come through the front door. Kit jumped back into her bed and closed her eyes. It was Christmas Eve and Kit knew that if she didn’t get to sleep soon, Santa would not make it.

Kit’s mom peeked inside as she walked by. Knowing that her kids were safe in their beds, she continued on to her own, closed the door, and collapsed on her worn mattress. The next morning, Kit and Faith came running into their mom’s room.

“Mom, Santa came,” the girls screamed in delight. Kit’s mom was curious. She had forgotten that it was Christmas and had forgotten to put out the few presents that she had bought. As she walked into the family room she was taken aback with what she saw. There were presents stacked up to the ceiling by the tree, there were two stockings filled to the brim, and, there was Kit, hugging a teddy bear that her mom knew she had not bought.

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