Seven

Calvin

I'm not the only one who senses the tension between Harlow and his sister. It hangs over all of us.

The moment Jacklyn stormed out of the office earlier, I'd wanted to go in and check on Harlow, but I didn't think he'd want me in there.

So I just went to work talking to the kids. There are even more today than there were the last few days. I get asked for so many toys and things I haven't even heard of. I watch some parents taking notes, making sure their kids get what they want from Santa without ruining the magic of it.

They're all so happy and bubbly that I'm able to put the Harlow situation from my mind. The only kid who's not excited is a little boy named George. He's about seven and has a black eye that looks so painful I wince a little when I see it.

"Hey, there," I say, settling him on my knee. "What's your name?"

"George," the boy mumbles.

"What would you like Santa to bring you this year?"

George stares down at his hands. "I want the same thing I asked for last year. But you didn't get it for me. Miss Lily says you just didn't find the right one. Is that true? You didn't find the right family for me?"

The question guts me. What kid should have to ask for a family for Christmas? Harlow had told me there was a boy here who was in the foster system, but I wasn't prepared for a question like this. Not after being asked for new bikes and dolls and electronics.

I put a gloved hand on George's knee. "Miss Lily is right; I haven't found the right one. But I promise I have my best elves working on it."

George gives me a solemn nod. I wish I could guarantee him a family right now, but I don't. I have no idea where he'll end up. The best thing I can do is give him some hope that someone out here is looking out for him.

"Is there anything else I can get you for Christmas?"

He chews on his lower lip for a minute before murmuring, "I want a telescope so I can look at the stars."

"Well, I know an elf that can personally get his hands on that for you." I'll buy the damn thing myself if I have to.

George leans closer to me, lowering his voice. "Is Harlow an elf too? Marcus Quimbley at school said he isn't, but he has to be, right?"

Without meaning to, I glance up to find Harlow watching us from the side, his arms resting on the garland-wrapped fence.

"Harlow is an elf," I tell George with a conspiratorial wink. "He works all year long to help me. But we can't tell anyone else because it's a secret. That's why he's not dressed as an elf."

"I knew it." George beams before miming locking his lips. "I'll keep it a secret."

"I know you will."

George hops down from my lap and meets up with the woman I assume is Lily before turning back to give me a little wave.

It's no wonder why Harlow cares so much for these kids, and it's obvious George adores him. I just wish there was more I could do for him.

***

I don't see Harlow again until I'm on my lunch break, and even, I have to track him down because he doesn't come near the office.

I find him on the tailgate of his truck, drinking a cup of coffee. He flashes me that easygoing smile I'm getting so used to.

"Hey," he says when I jump up to sit next to him. "I miss the suit."

I glance down at my blue jeans and green hoodie. "Yeah, well, I didn't want the kids to see Santa stuffing his face with something other than cookies and milk. It ruins the magic."

"You're great with them," he says. "George liked you."

Thinking about that kid again makes my chest squeeze. "He's awesome."

"Yeah, he is. Did he ask for something other than a family this year?"

"Yeah, he asked for a telescope. I'm guessing that's not something the social service workers can get him."

"Definitely not." Harlow takes a sip of the coffee. "I'm going to get it for him, though. The kid deserves to have something nice."

If I'd had this conversation with Harlow in high school, I think I would've been surprised. But today? I'm not at all. I hadn't realized back then how many sides there were to him, and I hate that I did that. So many people narrowed me down to just a nerd (which was kind of fair) but that wasn't all that I was. And it used to bug me how people assumed it was. I guess I wasn't any better compared to them.

"I'll go with you when you buy it," I blurt before I realize I'm going to. "I mean…if you want me to. I don't know if picking out a gift for someone falls into relationship territory."

"Sure, I'd love it if you could come along. He's actually the only person I'm buying for this year, so I'd love a second opinion."

My eyebrows lift. "You're not buying anything for your sister or your parents?"

"No." The response is curt, letting me know he doesn't want to talk about it. But I'm not really sure how I'm not supposed to comment on that.

I stay quiet for a few seconds, and that's about as long as I can go before I have to say something.

"Why aren't you buying gifts for them? I know that's not what the holiday is about, but they're your family. My family and I still buy for each other."

"Well, I'm happy for you." He takes another sip of the coffee and stares across the village where Jacklyn is currently fussing at one of the workers because a bow on the fence is slightly crooked.

"Have you guys really grown this far apart?"

"Leave it," he says, his voice low. "It's not any of your business."

"But—"

"Calvin." He turns to look at me, and I realize his eyes have that dark look they'd get in high school right before he got in trouble for something. "Leave it alone. Not all of us are like you and your family. There are some things…some things that aren't getting fixed, okay?"

"Okay," I mumble even though it really isn't okay. Because when Harlow talks about her, there's no anger in his voice. There's bitterness, and underneath that is so much hurt. It's like I can feel it coming off him. It's deep and has obviously been there for years.

I always thought I knew Jacklyn and Harlow, but after spending the last few days around both of them, I'm realizing I have no idea who they are. Jacklyn isn't as nice as she leads people to believe, and Harlow is a lot gentler than I ever thought he would be. There's a whole world of him under that outer layer he's obviously used to protect himself.

Even if he won't tell me about it, I know there's something deeper going on with him and his family. And even if he won't let me help him, I want him to know I'm here for him.

I put my hand over his that's resting between us and squeeze his fingers. "I know that what we're doing is only until New Year's. But I hope you know that I'll still be here for you afterwards. And you should get used to it since we're going to the same school soon."

Harlow glances down at our joined hands and smiles. His shoulders relax. "Yeah, I know. Thanks, Cal."

I want to dig more, but this time, I hold my tongue. I already told him I'd be here for him. If Harlow wants to talk about it, he'll come to me when he's ready.