Christmas joy is a matter of perspective. For some, it’s the happiest time of the year. For others, not so much. Twenty-nine-year-old Mick, the son of crack addicts, isn’t exactly a dyed-in-the-wool Scrooge. Mick’s been on his own from childhood. As a teen, he even lived in a shelter, where for a short time he had a boyfriend. After the boyfriend left, Mick squatted in the historic Orpheum Theater. While living there as its self-appointed custodian, Mick has watched others celebrate the holidays from a distance, never able to share in their merriment. Only his Technicolor dreams enliven his dull, clandestine life until one day the world around him begins to change. Mick is surprised when a man named Jim buys the Orpheum and plans to restore it. Something about Jim rekindles Mick’s longing for a better life and a little holiday magic for himself. Can Jim give Mick the hope he needs to accept his happily ever after?

The Orpheum Miracle

True, fewer of them came from the bargain basement where I started, but some of them did. Rags to riches stories weren’t unique.


Still, even though I felt like I knew him, when I peeked up at him, I couldn’t imagine him starting where I had. He could have come from modest means.


My imagining him in a humble house and working his way up made him seem almost human. Maybe I could talk him into letting me stay in the theater, at least until winter was over.


Beside, how could I turn away a free meal? I might be a little clueless sometimes, but I wasn’t totally stupid.


In the end, I ordered an omelet. Since it came with hash browns, two pancakes, and sourdough toast, with butter and real strawberry jam, I understood that it was too much for a guy to eat at one sitting. When he said just to leave the food if I didn’t want it, I assured him that unlike a lot of people, I loved leftovers.


“So, Mick, what do you see yourself doing in ten years or so? You got any big dreams? Any plans?”


Chapter 7