I wish too

Dear Santa,

I’ve been good this year and I wish for you to bring me a new Teddy bear…

***

Dear Santa,

I wish for a new bicycle…

***

… a bigger TV set…

***

… a new Barbie doll…

Check. Check. Check…and check.

The old man stroked his beard as he relaxed in his armchair and recalled the night of the 25^th. His eyes went over the workshop and he then let them linger by the fireplace. A piece of paper had caught fire and was slowly turning to ashes. At the sight of it, the man jumped out of his seat and ran to get it. He settled the glasses on his nose, as he tried to make out the unevenly handwritten words.

Dear Santa…,

He tried to recall the letter from the previous night, but he couldn’t. Has he left a kid without a present this Christmas?

I know that I haven’t been as good as my parents have wanted me to be, but I promise I’ll try harder next year. I’ll love them from the bottom of my heart without wanting them to love me more. Maybe I don’t deserve it anyway. But dear Santa, there is only one thing I will be asking for this year: Please make my mom and dad love each other again; make them fight less and kiss more (not in front of me). I want my mom to laugh again and my dad’s eyes to shine with joy. I’m not asking for much, Santa. I just want my family back – happy and together.

I believe in you and I know you can help me.

Truly yours,

Daniel

The old man glanced at the wall and felt his heart ache as the clock stroke midnight and put an end to Christmas. Too late. A new day has come and with it – the time for a little boy to move on.

Miles away, Daniel was sitting on the windowpane in his room, staring into the darkness, hoping for Santa’s sleigh to cross the skyline. In vain. A tear rolled down his cheek as he slowly got on his feet and pressed his finger against the damp glassy surface.

Dear Santa,

I’m sorry I disappointed you.

Tear.

Dear mom and dad,

Please, make up. I love you.