LITMIR.BIZ

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left him in your care?”

      His eyes narrowed slightly, then he gave a nod. “Yes,” he said stiltedly. “That’s a delicate way of putting it.” He took a step back, toward the door. “Look, I don’t have time for an impromptu parent/teacher meeting right now. My nephew will ride the bus most days, but I drove him today, due to the weather.” He hesitated, then said, “Can we finish this conversation next week sometime?”

      “Of course…” Her words faded on her lips as he made a quick exit. A group of students entered the classroom, and Isabella welcomed them in, still processing the information her encounter with Jordan Butler had produced. All she’d managed to learn was that Tyler was staying with his uncle, who didn’t seem to be very comfortable with the arrangement. She focused on the quiet child playing with building blocks in the corner. She didn’t know what, exactly, was wrong – but he seemed lonely. She could relate.

      She walked to the front of the class, summoning her brightest smile.

      “Please take your seats, everyone.” She waited to continue until all the children were sitting quietly at their desks, Tyler included. “I’m Miss Stevens, your substitute teacher. Mrs. Atwater is staying home with her new baby for the next few weeks. I’m looking forward to getting to know all of you and learning lots of things in our short time together.” She led them in the pledge of allegiance, then took attendance, mentally matching the faces with the names.

      When the usual morning duties were completed, she smiled again. “I know tomorrow’s Thanksgiving, but I thought we’d start the festive Christmas season a bit early, by writing letters to Santa today. Take your time; do your best to write neatly. And at snack time, we’ll place all our letters in the basket on the back table and have some holiday treats. Won’t that be fun?”

      Most of the other students let out whoops and hoorays, eagerly taking out their paper and pencils. But Tyler sat still, staring down at his hands on the desk. Isabella went to him and bent down slightly, hoping to sound cheerful. “Tyler, wouldn’t you like to write to Santa and tell him what you want for Christmas this year?”

      “No.” He lowered his head and hid his face in the bend of his arm.

      Isabella wondered if she should send him to talk to the school psychologist right now. But she waited a few moments, then whispered, “I’ll make a deal with you. If you write a letter to Santa, I will, too. Okay?” She went back to her desk and sat down, taking out a pen and notepad.

      Tyler peeked up from the crook of his arm. Sensing him watching, Isabella made a show of it. She rolled her eyes upward, her pen poised at the corner of her mouth. “It’s been so many years…Santa’s probably forgotten me by now.” She mumbled so only Tyler, whose desk was directly in front of hers, could hear. “Maybe I shouldn’t write a letter either – then Santa won’t have to worry about bringing what I want this year.”

      She was pleased when Tyler whispered back, “I’ll tell him to remember you.”

      Isabella made eye contact with her student. “All right – it’s a deal.”

      She smiled again as Tyler seemed to forget his recent refusal and dove into writing. She looked down at her blank piece of paper. She had to hold up her end of it, but she was clueless what to write. She thought of her ex, the man directly responsible for her current state of cynicism. She smirked, feeling reckless. What the heck – this letter will get tossed in a bin at the post office anyway…

       Dear Santa,

       This Christmas, I want a man who is breathtaking and gallant. A hero with a heart of gold. Please send a man who wants only me – someone who thinks I’m more beautiful than the snow on Christmas morning. Make him intelligent, and impossibly sexy. And, if this man really exists, could you make sure he’ll love me – for keeps?

       Sincerely,

       Isabella Stevens

      She was so immersed in her vision of the ideal man, Isabella didn’t notice when Tyler finished writing. He was actually smiling at her as she glanced up from her letter.

      “You were dreaming with your eyes open,” Tyler said.

      Isabella did her best to hide her embarrassment. “I guess I was – sort of.” The person I asked for only exists in dreams. “You finished your letter quickly, Tyler,” she continued. “Are you sure you remembered to list everything you want for Christmas?” None of the other students seemed close to finishing, she noted, amused.

      Tyler nodded. “It was easy. I only asked for two things.”

      “That’s very unselfish, Tyler. I’m sure Santa will like that.”

      “Miss Stevens?” Tyler said.

      “Yes, Tyler?”

      “Do you really think Santa will bring what I want this year?” A brief hope glimmered in his eyes, and Isabella was careful not to douse the tiny spark she’d managed to ignite in him.

      “Such a short list should be well within Santa’s range of magic. As long as you’re good, I’m sure he’ll do his best.”

      Tyler seemed content with her answer, if not completely convinced. But Isabella was simply happy for the subtle change in his mood. She went back to her own letter, adding one more wish to her list.

       P.S. Please try extra hard to make Tyler Butler’s wish come true.

      ***

      At eleven a.m., the announcement came over the speaker for an early dismissal, due to the worsening weather. Isabella glanced out the window, checking the sky. The clouds had begun to drop their snowflakes a bit early. The morning news had forecast heavy snow for later in the day. But the looming darkness that framed the Rocky Mountain horizon had her wondering once again if she’d have time to go grocery shopping, even with the early release.

      A little after eleven-thirty, all of the buses and students had departed. Except Tyler. He seemed oblivious to his uncle’s tardiness. But Isabella was incensed over Jordan Butler’s apparent disregard for his nephew’s needs, let alone his feelings. She wondered how Tyler’s parents had come to entrust their child to him. And why did Tyler’s uncle agree to look after the boy if he didn’t have time for him?

      Isabella checked with the office. They’d called Jordan Butler at her request after the initial announcement was made. They assured her he was on his way. Isabella got his number from the secretary, and even tried to call him a few times from her cell. But each time, his phone went directly to voice mail. She noted the gathering snow on the ground below, then looked over at her quiet student. The only sounds in the room were the nervous tapping of her foot, and the wind howling outside the glass windows. She decided to save time and put their coats on.

      After another ten minutes, Isabella rationalized that Jordan Butler must be getting close to the school. She gathered her briefcase and bag of leftover goodies. Then, as an afterthought, collected the Dear Santa letters and stuffed them into her purse. Hoping to bring a smile to young Tyler’s sad face, she said brightly, “I’d better get these sent off today, so Santa will receive them in plenty of time.” He didn’t smile, but there was a slight sparkle in his eye as Isabella led him into the hallway. They made their way down to the entrance of the school. If Jordan Butler didn’t show up soon, Isabella would have to take her student to the office to wait for him.

      Tyler stared outside for a moment, then looked up at her. “Can we go out and catch snowflakes on our tongues?”

      Isabella hesitated at first, then decided it might lighten his mood, and hers, to have a little fun. “Okay, Tyler. But I’ll have to put my bags in my car first.”

      They went outside and headed to the parking lot. There were only a few cars left at the school, belonging to the office personnel still

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