New Year’s Eve Special

Christmas was already history, and Sapphire City was preparing for the New Year celebrations. Restaurants, clubs, hotels, and homes were dressed like brides.

There was an economic boom in Sapphire City that year. It created more billionaires and millionaires than in the entire last half-century. Almost every middle-class family was flush with cash, and they didn’t shy away from spending it on holidays. Almost every family.

It was the evening of Christmas Eve. A little boy no older than seven walked along the street with an excited smile dancing on his face. A single coin was firmly lodged in his pocket.

The boy’s family was poor, and his father struggled with his new garment shop. The man dreamt of building a mall, which was a distant dream. Moreover, the family recently had a baby girl. Money was tight.

Christmas had been a lousy affair as they couldn’t afford a Christmas tree, turkey, or gifts.