The Christmas Shoes
It was almost Christmas time.
The silver-haired youkai sat and tapped on the packages he was carrying. This was getting too monotonous. He was starting to think this holiday was a conspiracy against him. But, at least the line was moving.
There I stood in another line.
Trying to buy that last gift or two,
Not really in the Christmas mood.
Sighing, he moved up but nearly bumped into the small, young dog-eared hanyou in front of him, wearing circles in the department store's floor.
Standing right in front of me was a
Little boy waiting anxiously.
Pacing 'round like little boys do…
His eyes widened as he saw what the child had.
…And in his hands he held
A pair of shoes.
The hanyou was caked in grime and his clothing was second hand.
And his clothes were worn and old.
He was dirty from head to toe.
As the young boy approached the counter, the youkai overheard the child saying something to the cashier.
But when it came his time to pay,
I couldn't believe what I heard him say
"Please hurry sir."
Sir I wanna buy these shoes
For my Momma please.
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size.
Could you hurry sir?
Daddy says there's not much time.
You see,
She's been sick for quite a while and I
Know these shoes will make her smile and I
Want her to look beautiful
If Momma meets Jesus
Tonight.
He watched the brown-haired pony-tailed clerk counting coins scattered onto the counter. It seemed to be taking forever and the wait was agonizing.
They counted pennies for what seemed like years.
As the he heard the words the clerk utter to the boy, the youkai's heart seemed to break.
Then the cashier said "Son there's not enough here"
He watched the boy fish in his coat and pants for anymore money but to no prevail.
He searched his pockets frantically
The hanyou faced the youkai and looked into his eyes pleadingly.
Then he turned and he looked at me
"Christmas was so wonderful the past years because of Momma but she hasn't been able to enjoy them." The little hanyou said. "But now there isn't too much time left. This is going to be her last…"
The hanyou's eyes now overflowed with hot tears as his words trailed off. The youkai bit his lip as a lump formed in his throat. There was always the possibility the kid was trying to scam him out of his money
He said "Momma made Christmas good at our house though
Most years she just did without.
Tell me sir what am I gonna do?
Somehow I've gotta buy her
These Christmas shoes"
A strange feeling overcame the man and he reached into his pocket, pulling out a wad of bills. Counting out a few, he handed them to the young man.
So I laid the money down
I just had to help him out.
A broad smile overcame the child and he wrapped his arms around the youkai's waist in a hug. Smiling to himself, the youkai patted the boy's head.
And I'll never forget the look on his face
When he said
"Momma's gonna look so great!"
Sir I wanna buy these shoes
For my Momma please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size.
Could you hurry sir?
Daddy says there's not much time.
You see,
She's been sick for quite a while and I
Know these shoes will make her smile and I
Want her to look beautiful
If Momma meets Jesus
Tonight.
The youkai smiled inwardly as a feeling of warmth welled up inside of him as the child Thanked him and high-tailed it out of the store. As he saw the hanyou's back, the youkai could have sworn the child had a cherubic glow and a pair of wings. He had finally remembered what the true meaning of Christmas was.
I knew I'd caught a glimpse
Of Heaven's love
As he thanked me and ran out.
I knew that God had sent that little boy
To remind me
What Christmas is all about.
The child's voice echoed in his head again:
Sir I wanna buy these shoes
For my Momma please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size.
Could you hurry sir?
Daddy says there's not much time.
You see,
She's been sick for quite a while and I
Know these shoes will make her smile and I
Want her to look beautiful
If Momma meets Jesus
Tonight.
I want her to look beautiful
If Momma meets Jesus
Tonight.