She had walked past him three times already. He did not notice, though she had passed by as he looked straight out from the bench where he sat.
“Mandy! Quit running off!” Her mother grabbed her. “What are you doing?”
“Mom,” she hissed. “I think that’s Santa.”
“No dear, Santa is on the lower level. Do you want to see him? You said you were too old.”
“Not the pretend Santa.” She pulled her mother’s arm to stop her rapid walking. “Him,” she pointed back at the man.
Her mom turned and looked at the old man on the bench. She smiled down at her daughter. “Oh, his beard is so snowy white. But no red suit.” She frowned. “And he doesn’t seem too jolly.”
Mandy pulled away from her grasp. “Maybe he’s sad Christmas is over and nobody will think of him ‘til next year.”
“Well, I don’t think anybody forgets the real Santa. Besides, the real Santa spends all year with all of his elves and Mrs. Santa making the toys for the next year.” Her phone rang, and as she raised it to her ear, Mandy took the opportunity to slip away unnoticed.
She positioned herself right in front of him, 5 feet away. His eyes, a deep blue, lost their unfocused stare and saw the little girl.
“Are you Santa Claus?”
The question seemed to confuse him at first, then one corner of his mouth raised. “No. No, I’m not Santa Claus.”
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“Then why do you have a long white beard?”
“Lots of people white beards.”
“Are you married?”
His eyes lost focus again. “No.”
She considered the answer for a moment. “Do you have helpers?”
“No. Not anyone who works for me, if that’s what you mean.”
“What do you do? Where do you live?”
He sighed. “You’re full of questions, aren’t you?”
She nodded with enthusiasm. “Daddy says that asking questions is how we learn and get smart.”
The old man nodded. “A wise man. Is your dad here?”
“No, he lives in Oklahoma. I was supposed to go see him over Christmas vacation, but my brother got sick and Mom had to pay like five hundred dollars to get him well.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Is your brother okay?”
“He’s okay now. I thought he was faking it to get out of school, but he was in the hospital for three days. I think mom was scared, except she told me everything would be fine.”
“Where is your mom?” He looked up as he finished the question. “I suspect this is her coming along now.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry she’s disturbing you, sir. Mandy, don’t bother people when they’re sitting quietly. Come along.”
“She’s not bothering me. It’s fine.”
Mandy’s mom seemed to see at him for the first time. “I’m sure she’s pestering you with questions. Come along, Mandy.” She reached down and took the little girl’s hand. “Have a pleasant afternoon,” she said with a nod.
The man watched as the two walked away. Mandy was looking back at him.
“Wait,” he called out, “I’d like to give you something, Mandy.” He looked up at her mom. “If that’s okay with you.
Mandy looked up at her mother with puppy-dog eyes. Her mother nodded. “Go ahead.”
Mandy came to stand in front of the old man. He looked at her for a moment, smiling.
“I’m not Santa, but I have been known to give presents.” He reached into a pocket in his large jacket and pulled out a tattered little oblong box. “Now run along with your mom.”
Beaming, she took the box, and with a thank you, ran back to her mom. “See?! I told you he was Santa.”
Her mother frowned. “Let me see.”
Mandy handed her the box. She gasped as she lifted the lid. “Oh, Mandy, no, we can’t accept this.” She fanned through the bills. “This is five hundred dollars!”
They both turned back, but the bench was empty.
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Immerse yourself in this riveting collection of short stories by Markus McDowell that delves into the complexities of the human experience. Each tale in this anthology explores the darker corners of the psyche, illuminating the shadows that lie within us all.
Meet a diverse cast of characters, each grappling with their own fears, desires, and moral dilemmas. McDowell’s masterful character development brings these individuals to life, making their journeys both relatable and profoundly moving.
The stories traverse a wide range of themes, from existential dread and personal redemption to the enigmatic nature of identity and the eternal struggle between light and darkness. McDowell’s keen insight into the human condition shines through, offering readers a contemplative and thought-provoking experience.
Whether you are a fan of literary fiction, psychological drama, or simply enjoy stories that challenge and inspire, So Deep in Shadow promises to be an unforgettable read. McDowell’s skillful blend of poignant storytelling and rich thematic exploration ensures that each story will linger in your mind long after you’ve turned the final page.
Available from retailers in paperback, eBook, and audiobook.
Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash
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