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

The Santa was fired following the incident with Adam, everyone to an elf telling the boss that they’d had enough of working with the grumpy old man. Tony learned later they’d threatened to walk out if Santa wasn’t canned. Fortunately, one of the other Santas agreed to come in early and Christmas for the young shoppers wouldn’t be spoiled. Tony would have donned the red suit himself if no one else were available. He bet Adam would have gotten a kick out of that.


Chapter 5