There was something magical in the air. He could just feel it. Angel had always been a hopeless romantic, always believing in true love and even love at first sight. But around Christmastime, all those feelings grew even stronger. Maybe it was because everyone seemed happier around this time of year, or maybe it was the memories of Christmas Eve nights drinking hot cocoa with Mama while he tried to stay awake to hear the sound of Santa's reindeer on the roof. He'd never made it, but he remembered those nights so fondly.
But this year, there was something more, something he couldn't quite put his finger on, but that told him this Christmas would be a special one. And he believed it. He didn't have much, very little money or food, but he had enough, and he was happy. He had friends and he was healthy. He couldn't ask for anything more. Except…
Before he left, he made a wish, just like his Mama had taught him when he was a little boy. That big, twinkling star was Santa's star, and on Christmas Eve, good boys and girls could wish on it, and Santa would pick one wish to grant. Of course, he was older now, and he knew that wasn't true, but he liked the idea still. It was such a romantic notion, that someone out there might grant him his wish. Closing his eyes, he sent his wish out, smiling to himself as he did.
The night was cold, and he pulled his thin coat more snugly around him as he walked down the sidewalk, toward his familiar drumming spot. There was another thing he liked about Christmas – people were much more generous than usual. It didn't take long for him to lose himself in the rhythm of his beat, and before he knew it, people were beginning to drop change on his tub. He smiled and thanked each one, resuming his drumming once the coins were safely in his pocket.
He wasn't aware of the time that had passed. Perhaps it had only been minutes, perhaps much longer. He always seemed to lose track of time when he was drumming. Over the beat of his sticks against the plastic tub, he heard a strange sound. His hands immediately stilled and he listened, but hearing nothing, he began to play once more. He wasn't more than a few beats into his music when he heard it again. This time he was able to recognize it: the sound of someone in pain.
Without hesitation, he stood, packing up his things and following the sound. It led him down a dark alley, where he could see a figure huddled on the ground, coughing and moaning. As he grew closer, he could see the blood on his face and hands, and his concern for the man overrode any fear he may have had for his own safety.
"Oh my God, are you okay, honey?
Later that night, Angel slipped out of his bed and moved quietly to the window. For a long while, he simply gazed at the man in his bed, amazed by the night's events. How could he fall so deeply in love with someone so quickly? But in his heart, he knew. Angel had always been a hopeless romantic. Looking out the window, into the night sky, he found that special star and whispered a thank you to whoever may have been listening for granting his Christmas wish.