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

He didn’t add anything about liability and insurance, and I didn’t actually tell him I was living there. We were balanced on a strange teeter-totter.


“I’ll be sure to lock up tight so that no one gets in after hours.” I tried to sound managerial. He nodded but didn’t look happy.


Now I knew I really had to get my shit together. I had to find out how regular people went about finding jobs. I had to grow up and get off the streets and push myself into the mainstream.


“Uh, one other thing I’ve been thinking.” The boss broke into my pep talk. “I’m firing Ted Mason. I was wondering if you’d like to take over his job and be the new general manager of the Orpheum? It will come with a substantial raise.”


His voice shook, like he was unsure what I would say and suspected I’d throw the offer back in his face. I almost laughed at how blind someone could be.


It was all I could do to keep myself from floating through the roof of the Pancake Circus from happiness.


Chapter 8