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 was surprisingly docile as I sat him into one of my guest chairs and flopped down next to him in the other one.


“Okay, Jim, what’s got you so upset?” I felt funny talking to my boss like this, but jeez, he had to pull it together. It was time for a little tough love, or maybe that was Scrooge love.


We had more important things to discuss than my miserable life. Especially since I’d turned a corner in the past month or so and was strolling toward middle class and not hiding in the alley or back in the projection booth. My life was looking up, not down.


Him staring at me, his eyes glistening, was a little unnerving.


“You really don’t remember me? Randy? I’m Randy. I used to be your friend.” He looked ashamed to admit it.


He didn’t look anything like the skinny, shorter friend. Except for the blue eyes. The blue eyes that looked at me like I was someone special. Like I was someone.


I leaned back and stared at him, my mind whirling.


Chapter 10