Pete is an improbable Santa Claus ringing his bell on the sidewalks of New York. He might need this job, but he doesn't have to like it. Impulsive and a little rough around the edges, Pete has a big warm heart, and when he sees the homeless man reading a book on the pavement, he is intrigued.<br><br>Lucas is a deaf-mute who fled an ex-boyfriend who wanted to use him as a prostitute. He is cold and isolated, but the very not-ordinary Santa Claus ringing a bell nearby makes him smile.<br><br>When Lucas is attacked and robbed, it gives Pete the opportunity to invite him home for Christmas. But can they live together long-term? Will Lucas's bid for independence break their hearts or bring them to deeper understanding?

Silent Night

He starts to wave his hands and I know he is using sign language, but I don’t understand it. Shit! I try again to grab his hands to make him stop. I need for him to look at my lips.


“Lucas, stop. Calm down! I didn’t mean to scare or offend you. I just wanted to give you a warm place to stay. Look at me!”


Fuck! He doesn’t look at my face, he doesn’t read my lips, and it’s so frustrating. I get up to try to stop him, but he wriggles out of my grip and in a moment he’s outside, engulfed by the crowd.


What the hell was I thinking? Was I deluded enough to believe Pete wanted to help me without anything in return? I don’t even know him, and he doesn’t know me. Just because he was dressed as Santa doesn’t mean he’s a good person.


They’re all the same. They’re all equally disgusting. Since I’m deaf and mute, they think I’m some kind of rag doll to use as they wish.


Chapter 6