Kris Kringle Year Without Santa Claus Novels & Stories

“This time of year, I like all the Christmas ones. The gushier the better.” “Gushy…” It wasn’t a question, but she answered anyway. “You know… The happy cry ones. Heck, I even tear up when the Grinch’s heart grows at the end of that little cartoon.” She sighed. “But to be fair, I’ve been known to get teary at a heart-tugging commercial at Christmas time.” “Yeah… I don’t do Christmas.” “So, I’ve noticed,” she said, tipping her head to one side to study him. If anything, his features had tightened, his eyes had grown darker. Just the mention of the holiday had been enough to close him up tight. And still, Sparkle couldn’t resist trying to reach him.

A Gift of Unexpected Support The first snow of the season fell quietly outside, covering the ground in a soft white blanket. Estonia and Travis sat by the fireplace, their living room aglow with the warmth of the crackling flames. Christmas was just around the corner, and this year, the holiday carried a deeper meaning for them. It would be their last Christmas as just the two of them; by this time next year, they would be celebrating with their daughter.

She was trying to be all nice to him, make him happy, and then when she's gotten him where she wants him, she'll ask for the money. But for now she'll focus on pleasing him. They got dressed together after, Claudia humming softly as she slipped into her coat, Brandon watching her with a thoughtful expression. “You ready?” she asked. “Yeah,” he said. “Let’s go.” The Snowbrook Christmas nativity was exactly what Brandon remembered. The beautiful nativity scene, an old tradition of younger children playing the birth story, this time it was different. There was no Melody, there was no Jamie and Cynthia, there was no giant bubblegum bubble competition between the four of them.

Then she leaned in and stage whispered, "Don't play her for money. You'll lose your shirt." Kiki laughed. "Oh, I believe that!" "Check," Abby announced again, her voice matter of fact, concentrating hard on the game. "Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas!" a voice resonated throughout the house. Kiki looked over and Santa Claus himself filled the doorway, dressed in a red suit, sporting a natural white beard, and carrying a sack filled with toys. Smiling executives dressed in business suits--both men and women--from The North Pole Lodge, were with him, carrying packages wrapped in brightly colored paper.

Eventually, voicemail answered. I disconnected. Perhaps he was busy. I called another contact. No answer. Then another. Nothing. A fourth. A fifth. A sixth. Every call ended the same way. Nobody answered. Nobody returned my calls. Nobody acknowledged my existence. The silence felt louder than any insult. I stared at the screen. Disbelief slowly becoming anger. For years, these people had sought my approval. For years, they had attended my parties. Accepted my gifts. Enjoyed my influence. Now they had vanished.

I knew it was silly of me to drink it now since I had no one to celebrate it with anymore, but I just felt that something was missing if I didn't have one. I let out a deep sigh and tried not to feel annoyed and lonely. Christmas is never a special occasion for me. Not since mom screwed up and dad followed her footsteps. This year, Steven spent the whole day doing talk shows and he'd only come home later tonight. Since I've never spent Christmas with my parents for years now, I had no idea where they were. Even Alberta, our maid, went to spend the night with her family. In short, I was home alone. On Christmas. Great.

Oh, God. They always had a big tree. No, make that a huge tree. Her father would get it himself from the tree farm and set it up in the big window in the living room. Then her mother would make hot punch and popcorn and they'd listen to carols while they all decorated the tree. She just didn't know if she could stand it this year, without them there. Even the thought of getting the tree was daunting. She dropped into a kitchen chair, tears misting her eyes. Their first Christmas without their parents. How would she get through it? How would she ever fill the empty place in her heart? Years and years of memories came flooding back, along with the tears she couldn't control.

As the arrival of Christmas nears, they more sulkier they are developing. "What's wrong?" I asked carefully, while we are in the midst of wrapping up some Christmas gifts in the lounge. "He still hasn't left that room," Rachael answers grimly as she tosses a twine of ribbon into the crafts basket. "Christmas seems so pointless this year," Katie remarks forlornly while handing Anya a gift wrap to uncoil. "Pointless when the family is disunited." "I agree," Anya adds, embittered. "Without Mister Nikolay, there is no point."

Jennifer chuckled and retorted mockingly, "CEO? Do you really think she became CEO through her own abilities? Without Jeremiah and me backing her up, she's just a useless loser." Charles looked at Jennifer in disbelief. His eyes were filled with shock and anger. Annoyed by the noise, I told the bodyguards to drag the two of them farther away. I crouched alone by the seaside. The winter wind blowing from the ocean was icy and piercing. Little by little, I scattered Noelle's ashes into the sea. I said softly, "Today is Christmas, Noelle. It's also the day you were born. I'm letting you return to the ocean."