We sang Christmas carols as all the paths throughout the school lit up with lights and decorations. The lights were on a timer and started from the perimeter of each corner, moving in toward the center where we stood. When the lights near us blinked on, Old Charlie plugged in the Christmas tree and the twenty-foot Douglas fir lit up with colored lights that blinked on and off and cast a glow on the tinsel and shiny decorations.
A cold breeze blew by, carrying the scent of peppermint and pine—a uniquely Christmas blend of smells that brought back fond memories of all my Christmases with my friends here. But the memories were bittersweet. None of us had parents or families of our own. I didn't even know what that was like, other than what I'd seen in movies. We'd either been abandoned as children because of our para-powers, or handed over for our 'protection.' Either way, none of us had ever had contact with our families that I could tell.
Charlie needed to call his daughter, to see her for the holidays. I was sure that if I'd had a family, if I'd had a father like Charlie, I'd want him in my life.
As the crowds dispersed, I pulled Luke and Lucy aside and explained my plan. "So, what do you think? Am I being too intrusive, or do you think it's a good idea?"
Lucy smiled. "I think it's a great idea, Chica, and we're definitely in. Right, Luke?" She elbowed him in the ribs.
He scowled but nodded. "Of course."
I hugged them both. "Thanks, guys. I'm going to track down Headmaster Higgins. We'll need his help with this one."
***
Higgins had already disappeared from campus by the time the tree lighting ceremony was over, so I had to wait until the next morning to talk to him. With Christmas only four days away, I didn't have much time.
He sat in his mahogany office, his normal three-piece suit replaced by a red sweater that complemented his dark skin. He looked up from a stack of papers when I knocked on his open door. "Sam, come in. What can I do for you?"
I sat in the chair facing his desk. "I need your help. You know Old Charlie?"
He nodded.
"Well, we'd like to help him reunite with his daughter, Sheryl. Is there any way you can track down her phone number for me?"
I told him my plan, selling it up as best as I could, pointing out the advantages and even offering my own income from assignments I'd worked to cover the cost.
He strummed his long fingers against the desk. "This is an unusual request, Sam. I'd be bending—if not outright breaking—a lot of rules by getting you that information. How do you know he even wants this?"
"Because I read his mind. I know he misses his family, and he's too ashamed to make the first move. We have to help him. I can't stand the thought of him spending another Christmas alone!"
The seconds ticked by, Higgins' thoughts swarming around me. 'Not sure about this… Could backfire… What's the worst that could happen?... '
When he reached to pull a file out his cabinet, I smiled in victory.
"You're a good person, Sam. I hope this works out the way you expect."
So did I.
***
With Phase 1 in place, it was time to initiate Phase 2 of the Super Secret Santa Christmas Plan.
Lucy shook her head. "Sam, that's too long of a code name. And it's lame. You're not even doing this in secret."
I frowned. "Got a better idea?"
Luke held up his hand and squealed like an over-eager child who knew the answer and just had to get picked by the teacher or his whole world would end.
"Yes, Luke?"
"How about, Rent-A-Christmas? Get it? Rent-A-Kid, Rent-A-Christmas."
I groaned. "Yes, I get it. You're cheesy, Luke. But I kind of like it."
Lucy nodded. "Me, too. Okay, so what's next for our Rent-A-Christmas mission?"
"I have to go to the art studio. Can you guys check in on Old Charlie and see how he's doing?"
They nodded and took off across campus to the front gate, while I let myself in to my second home. The lights were on in the studio and someone had turned on the heat. I was glad I didn't have to paint in my gloves and coat while I waited for the room to defrost.
I shrugged out of my winter gear and hung everything in the closet by the front door. "Mr. K? You here?"
My art teacher walked out of his office, looking more suited for the Nightmare Before Christmas than, say, It's a Wonderful Life, what with his hawk nose, black skeleton shirt and black men's skinny jeans. "Sam, aren't you supposed to be getting high on eggnog and gingerbread cookies and taking a break from everything else?"
"You know that doesn't mean my art. Besides, I have a special project to do, and I need some supplies."
"Anything I can help with?"
"You know how you've been teaching me to use my mind reading para-powers to remember faces and sketch them?"