AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is not what you'd think, OK? The ending is, well, just read it for yourselves! And I KNOW it's nowhere near Christmas, but I felt the urge to write this. =)

Christmas Shoes

By Alexia Moonlight

Vlad pushed past tons of people with a frown on his face. He was trying to buy things, and these stupid people kept blocking his way! Stupid Christmas!

It was almost Christmas time

There I stood, in another line.

Trying to buy that last gift or two,

Not really in the Christmas mood.

Up in front of Vlad, there was a young boy, about 14, wearing a tee-shirt and ripped jeans. His black hair was messed up, and he was holding a pair of expensive looking shoes.

Standing right in front of me

Was a little boy, waiting anxiously.

Pacing around like little boys do,

And in his hands he held

A pair of shoes…

Vlad scoffed at his poor appearance. Vlad was a rich billionaire, and he didn't care for poor people.

And his clothes were worn and old.

He was dirty from head to toe.

And when it came his time to pay,

I couldn't believe what I heard him say.

The boy put the shoes up on the counter, looked the cashier in the eyes, and said:

"Sir, I'd like to buy these shoes

For my Momma, please.

It's Christmas Eve, and these shoes are just size.

Could you hurry, Sir?Daddy says there's not much time.

You see, she's been sick for quite awhile,

And I know these shoes will make her smile.

And I want her to look beautiful

If Momma meets Jesus tonight."

Vlad watched as the boy reached into his pocket with a dirty hand and grabbed a handful off assorted coins. He dumped it onto the countertop with a CLANG!.

He counted pennies for what seemed like years,

Then the cashier said, "There's not enough here."

He searched his pockets frantically

Then he turned and he looked at me.

He said, "Momma made Christmas good at our house.

Though most years she did just without.

Tell me, Sir, what am I gonna do?

Somehow I've got to buy these Christmas shoes."

He looked up at Vlad with pleading eyes, asking for his help. He gave him a weird look and yelled,

"NO!!! I WILL NEVER LEND MONEY TO ANYONE! OR GET A CAT!"

Then he ran away screaming, which sounded something like, "I AM NOT A FROOT LOOP!!!"

Danny sighed and reached into his other pocket.

"OK, I guess I'll just use the Emergency 20."