In 1979, reckoning with college, scared of poor days, I headed home for a break.  Mom and I went to a flea market.  I wandered, trying to subdue loneliness.  Mom noticed.  In a display, my eyes locked on a Santa ornament.  Circa 1950s, he had a celluloid face with a cheery grin, blue eyes, beard, and red pipe cleaner body.  Mom didn’t have money to spend, yet paid $20 for Santa, to my unbelieving eyes.

Published in The Advocate newspaper, December, 2024.