Bitter and depressed after his boyfriend walks out on him, Garth Morgan cancels Christmas. Garth’s mom has other ideas however. She reminds him there’s still Adam, Garth’s eight-year-old son to consider. So Garth braves the Christmas Eve crowds at the shopping mall to buy gifts. Despite aching feet and arms that feel like they’re being pulled out of their sockets, Garth agrees to wait in line so Adam can see Santa. Adam asks for a new boyfriend for his daddy because the last one made Daddy cry. When the Santa lectures both Garth and Adam about the sins of homosexuality, Adam objects, swivels around on the man’s knee, and kicks him in the nuts. Before Adam and Garth can make their escape, they’re stopped by Tony Luciano, a former Marine who now works as a security guard. One look at the man’s wide chest, broad shoulders, and model-handsome face has Garth hoping Adam’s wish is about to come true.

The Nutcracker

“Huh?” Adam looked up at him in surprise.


“Sorry, son, just talking to myself.”


Adam gave him a you’re crazy look, before returning his attention to the crowds, the flashing lights and… “Santa!” 


Putting on a smile, not easy with aching feet and arms that felt like they were being pulled out of their sockets, Garth agreed to join the long line of eager children and harassed parents waiting to speak to the fat guy in the red suit.


As they waited, Garth had to admire the way the mall had organized things. One elf seemed to be in charge of keeping the line in order, entertaining the kids by making funny faces and cracking jokes. A second elf led each child-parent group up to see Santa when it was their turn. A third elf encouraged the group to say “Reindeer” as he took a picture of the family, their child perched on Santa’s knee.


Chapter 2