“What an excellent idea.” I returned William’s smile. Watching him talk to Teddy as they left the room, holding his tiny hand, made my heart melt.
“He’s good,” Molly observed, grabbing the paper towels that William had abandoned. She stooped to clean up the mess. “Teddy doesn’t trust anyone. Well, anyone male anyway.”
“I know.” I had seen Teddy run screaming from the janitor. “William is one of the good ones.”
“I hope so.” But Molly’s eyes said that she didn’t quite believe me. “For your sake, I hope you are right.”
An hour later, the meal was complete and ready to be eaten. William had kept the kids entertained outside, and they came to the dinner table with red cheeks, damp hair and empty stomachs. It didn’t take long for them to clear the table in front of us.
After dinner, we gathered in the large living area and the kids sang Christmas carols while their mothers took pictures of them in front of the tree. William and I hung toward the back of the room.
“You were pretty great today,” I said, nudging him with my arm. He nudged me back.
“You are pretty great every day.” William put his arm around me and I leaned my head on his shoulder. “Today has been pretty amazing. You’re really helping people here.”
“I hope so.” I thought about what Molly had said to me in the kitchen. “Sometimes I’m not so sure. It’s hard to make a difference after the fact. These people are pretty damaged.”
“We’re all pretty damaged,” he said quietly.
I thought about my own past. “I guess that’s true.”
A loud knock on the front door caused everyone to jump. Another volunteer, Vivian, ran to answer it. “I wonder what that’s all about.” I said. When I looked at William, I detected a faint smile. “What did you do, William Connor?”
“Who, me?” he said, his familiar playful smile returned in full force.
“Ho, ho, ho!”
The kids all squealed in delight at the sight of the fat man with a beard and red suit. He was carrying bulging bags filled with wrapped presents.
“Santa!” Teddy jumped to his feet and rushed at the stranger. Santa managed to drop the packages just in time for Teddy’s hug.
“How in the world did you find a Santa Clause on Christmas Eve?” I asked William.
He shrugged innocently. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Santa always works on Christmas Eve. It’s kind of his night.”
I poked William in the side. “Now who’s the amazing one?” I said, giving him a long kiss.
“Olivia! William! Look what Santa got me!” Teddy interrupted us, jumping up and down and waving his present in the air.
“A helicopter?” I laughed at Teddy’s excitement. I had never seen him smile, much less jump up and down. “That’s pretty cool.”
“It really flies!” Teddy explained. “It has a remote control.”
William was laughing, too, his eyes as bright as Teddy’s. “Let’s get that thing in the air,” he said. I watched as he helped Teddy open the package and put everything together. He was kneeling on the ground while Teddy sat in his lap, asking questions. William carefully explained all the parts of the helicopter and how it flew. After they got the batteries in place, Teddy ran around the room, chasing the helicopter.
The other kids were just as excited about their presents, and Santa even brought presents for the mothers. I stayed in the corner of the room and watched it all, loving the pure innocence of Christmas.
“One last present,” Santa said, crossing the room. I was startled when he handed me a small package.
William was across the room, listening to Teddy talk about helicopters. When I glanced over, he was watching me. “Thank you, Santa,” I said with my eyes still on William. He had gotten me a Christmas present. I hadn’t expected that.
My hands shook a little as I unwrapped the package. It was both small and light, and almost felt empty, but I could tell something was sliding around inside. I lifted the lid on the box and stared in surprise at the key inside. My brow wrinkled as I thought about the significance of the gift.
William was standing in front of me now and he took my free hand. “This will make it easier for you to stay with me,” he said. “No excuses.”
“A key to your house?” I asked lamely. Everything was moving very fast. “Are you sure about this?”
“You should know by now that I don’t do things I’m not sure about.” William kissed my forehead. “I’m not saying you have to move in with me or anything. I just want you to be able to come and go as you please. I want you to feel at home there.”