It happened on the eve of the New Year, a few years ago. One of my classmates, Natashka, approaches me and says, “There are Santa Claus and Snowmen costumes. I want to make an announcement that we are going home paycheck. Are you down? We will earn!”
Of course I agreed. Money was needed, and the role to play - once to spit, Natashka and I were constantly participating in the KVN.
They created an advertisement, put it in a newspaper and a running line. We were called almost immediately, so it went. The kids were different, and glorious guys, and nits-zanud. One boy remembered – he asked from the threshold: “Father Christmas and Snowmen, is it? And how much did my dad pay you?”In short, the experience is interesting.
And here, until the holiday was four days left, here a friend calls me: "Oleška, save! We gathered gifts here for the children from the local hospital – they are without breakfasts, and we do not have Santa Claus! Can you work for free?”
Well, I thought it was a good thing, I agreed. He was promised to be taken to the hospital. I dressed up, put on a beard, and went. The mood is good, such a rise that I am not going to work for money, but just so, I feel - I can do everything. Even my neighbor Tamara smiled at the entrance, and she walked sadly all the time after losing her son two years ago.
And here we are in place. We were gathered in the hall, in the middle – a tree, guirlandes lit. The celebration was wonderful! Children have fun, beat hands, sing songs, read poems. Giving gifts is happiness for everyone. The roses are happy, around smiles.
And suddenly I see a six-year-old boy sitting in the corner, not playing, holding his beard with his hands, looking at us, and in his dark eyes - thirst. I went to the doctor and asked:
Who is he and what about him?
Mark answered the doctor. He is an orphan. The road transport. I was driving with my father and mother in the car, turned over. There are no parents anymore, we are now in childhood.
I felt like I was beaten. The feeling of happiness never happened. Of course, you could finish the program, go away and forget everything, but I couldn’t. He took the gift and walked to the boy on his bowing legs. Hi Mary! Happy New Year, with new happiness! He raised a heavy look at me.
You’re not a real Santa, right?
I shrugged my shoulders, depending on what you believe. I am sure of myself. But you can check. What gift do you want for the New Year? If I do, it is real. (I got stuck there because I imagined where my New Year’s budget would go and where to borrow if the guy wanted, for example, an iPhone. But I could no longer stop.
And Marik smiled unpleasantly and said:
Okay, let’s try it out.
I sat next door. And guess it!
The boy opened his eyes and suddenly whispered:
If I were a fool, I would have asked my mom and dad to come back. I’m not a fool, I understand everything. Therefore, if you are a real Santa Claus, do so that I am not taken as a child! You can?
And then I realized that I was possessed. When I showed the program, I don’t remember, it was like in the fog. He returned home, but couldn’t do anything: before his eyes stood Marik’s gaze, full of longing and hope.
I even started pretending not to take the boy for myself. But who would give a child to a student without a fixed salary? I spent the whole night thinking.
In the morning I was stunned! And already at eight in the morning in Santa Claus costume I knocked at the neighbor Tamar. I don't know how they agreed there - they say, the chief doctor himself connected friends, but on December 31, I met Marika and Tamara at our entrance. A shining neighbor introduced me to the boy and told me that he was her guest on New Year’s Eve.
Marik didn’t look as happy, rather confusing, but I didn’t notice the previous boundless grief in his eyes.
And when the holidays ended, and January-February came, the boy moved to us in the house forever - Tamara took him under custody.
A year has passed, and here Natashka again called me to defrost. I couldn’t miss this occasion and on the New Year’s Eve I visited Tamara. And when Marik opened the door, he blinked at him and asked loudly:
What, the real one?
The real! He whispered and hugged me for my feet. At that moment, I really felt like Santa. A true wizard.
Anastasia Ivanova