I took a long drag of a cigarette to soothe my growing anxiety before flicking the butt into a nearby ash tray as I scurried down the city sidewalk. Pulling up my sweatshirt about my lips, I glanced around with skeptical eyes. Good. It didn’t look like anyone was following me.

A sudden spark of pain ran up my back, forcing me to halt. I grimaced and popped a painkiller. I’m too old for this. I should have made this someone else’s problem. Picked a successor to take over all those years ago. Take this burden off my aching back. Before everything went to hell. Before I was forced to live in the shadows.

I fiddled with a gold ring on my middle finger. My fingers traced over the silver bell in the place of traditional jewels. Over time it had worn an indent into my hand. Ever since my predecessor gave it to me. A long standing tradition.

I could use a drink.

My eyes drifted over a news podcast in a store window. The newscaster was reporting some story about the Christmas lights on the big tree in the city square failing. Bummer. Guess that Christmas magic isn’t in the air tonight. I wonder why that is, I questioned sarcastically.

At last, I reached my destination--the only bar open on Christmas. The place was basically empty and only one bartender was working that night.

I could easily see the reason why--it was written all over him in a gloomy dark teal shadow. Poor fellow had his heart torn out. Three, no two days ago. Probably insisted on working to get his mind off it. Poor kid didn’t deserve such a fate, especially not someone on the Nice List.

“Get me an old fashioned.” My deep voice startled the lad as he stumbled to complete my drink.

I slipped him a ten spot. “Thanks there, laddie.”

“So,” he began, “what’s your name?”

“Nick.”

“Why are you out here drinking on Christmas? Shouldn’t you be at home with your family or loved ones?”

I didn’t reply. I didn’t have an answer. What loved ones could I possibly be with? What home could I possibly return to? No, corporate America made sure I would never have either of those again. The kid continued. “I bet you’re probably wondering why I’m here on Christmas.”

Not really.

“It’s because I don’t have anyone to be with. My girlfriend just dumped me and I haven’t really seen my family since I left for college. Ah well, this isn’t so bad. Students loans don’t pay themselves. Partial scholarships only get you so far.”

“I suppose.” I set down the empty glass. “Thanks for the drink.” I got up to leave. Just as I exited, I added. “You’re a good kid, Jimmy Dimmers. Good thing will come to you. Just you wait.”

“How did you know--hey wait!” He bolted to the door as I vanished into an onset snowstorm’s white winds. “Where did he go?”

I wasn’t expecting to see Jimmy every again. That’s just how it goes. I meet someone, then disappear. Into another town, another country. I don’t have the luxury to stay in one place. I have to remain hidden.

But then, a week later, before I had a chance to get on a train and fade away from this place, I saw him again. Jimmy out on 5th street, stocking up on cheap and officially out of season Christmas decorations. “It’s you!” He exclaimed with arms full of stockings and plastic presents.

Tsk. I held my baseball cap low and headed into a dense shopping crowd. It would take me at least two minutes to summon another snowstorm to use as cover. My power was dwindling.

“Wait!” I felt a tug my coat’s elbow. “You’re pretty fast for an old man. Anyway, I’ve been wanting to ask you: how did you know my name?”

“I know a lot of things. A lot of people.” Only thirty more seconds till the snowstorm.

“Have we met before?”

Fifteen seconds.

“Still, I feel like I would remember someone like you. You’re kind of…”

It’s here.

Twisting winds viciously swept around the streets, clawing at civilian’s faces and urging them inside.

I directed a strong wind towards Jimmy, pushing him away, but he clamped on tighter.

The wind whipped at my clothes, ruffling my layers and my coat’s collar. My white beard fluffed up from beneath, sprouting out like a piece of white cotton candy.

“Magical.” Jimmy breathes with the soft glow of wonder on his eyes. “You’re Santa Claus.”

Everyone else had already fled. We were the only two left outside. Hidden by my spinning storm.

“I—I can’t believe it.” Jimmy stuttered.

“Then don’t. It doesn’t matter anyway. The magic is go—“ I burst into a fit of coughing.

“Oh my god! Santa! Are you okay?”

“Don’t… call me… that!” I hacked. A few drops of blood stained the palm of the hand I coughed into. “There’s nothing left! It’s gone!”

“Gone?” Jimmy echoed. “The magic?” His eyes widened. “Is that what caused the storm? Your magic?”

I couldn’t stop coughing long enough to reply. My lungs burned like a spiteful elf lit them on fire. “We need to get you out of here!” Jimmy began to pull me blindly the storm.

Desperately, he tried to lead me to his apartment building. With a few sideways glances from his security guard, he managed to take me upstairs to his apartment. “Just lay down on the couch.” Jimmy said. “I’ll get you some tea with honey. That’ll help your sore throat.”

Sore throat? As if that was all this was. Turning the ring on my finger, I gazed at it longingly.

I really should have gotten a successor.

“Here.” He set it down on the table. “Careful, it’a a little hot.”

“Thank you, young man.”

He blankly stared at me “So, you’re really Santa, huh?”

“I suppose I am still the current Santa.”

“Current?”

“‘Santa’ is just a title. Past down from Santa to Santa, each choosing a new successor. A position for the one who delivers happiness to the children of the world.” I coughed. “But that’s over now.”

“Because the magic is gone?”

I nodded grimly.

“But how! How can the magic just… be gone? Aren’t you magic? With your reindeer? And elves? And flying sleigh?”

“Those things… they’re all gone now. Gone with the North Pole. Melted by global warming. There’s no workshop anymore. No toys. No happiness. No magic and no Santa.” I whispered. “I’m but a dying relic of an old era. My magic…” I swirled a mini snow storm over the palm of my hand. “Is nearly gone. I’m too old to be Santa anymore. Too alone.”

I coughed again. Taking a deep breath I knew: I only have a few minutes left.

“You can’t just give up!” Jimmy declared. “The kids need Christmas. When I was growing up, seeing your gifts underneath the tree was the only thing that let me survive the pressure of my overbearing mother. They need you!”

“You’re a gentle soul, aren’t you?” I said. “A high tier middle of the Nice List ever since you were a little tike.”

“Umm, thank you?”

“With a kind heart and fierce passion for others.”

I removed the ring from my finger and held it out, letting the light glimpse off it. “Here, child.”

As he took it from my hand, I closed my eyes and envisioned my old home. Ginger the Elf with the latest letters. Mrs. Klaus with a fresh batch of cookies. I smiled at it all.

And I never opened my eyes again.

[A parody of "A Visit from St. Nicholas" by Clement Clarke Moore]

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the night

The elves feverishly labored for Santa's big flight

The toys were all packaged with ribbons and flair

In the hopes none would break on the long journey there

The reindeer stayed nestled all snug in their shed

While last minute safety checks were run on the sled

And the Boss in his suit and the elves in hard hats

Had just had a break for a quick union chat

When out in the yard there arose such a clatter

They rushed to the scene to see what was the matter

When what to their bloodshot little eyes did appear

But a miniature van with snow-treading gear

With a quirky young driver all bundled in wool

They all thought the same - that he must be a fool

With a grind and a hiss the van plowed through the snow

And at the flip of a switch came words all a-glow:

“LATTE! CAPPUCCINO! AMERICANO! ESPRESSO!

MACCHIATO! MOCHA! AFFOGATO! RISTRETTO!”

“With milk or with creamer! With sugar or foam!

Double or quad shots! Brought straight to your home!”

As a tank on a mission through the drifts it did bore,

Skirted a snowbank, then parked by their door

Down from the cockpit the odd driver did jump

And shook off the snow from his van with a thump

With the crank of a wheel he transformed his small van

As the window rolled up like an old sardine can

The aromas - how pungent! The counter - so clean!

The elves' noses were tingling - but what could it mean?

As he set up his stall and went round through the back

He started his machines with soft clicks and a whack

"Come one, come all!" he said grinning with glee

"From venti to grande - and all sizes between!"

As the elves all moved forward, their faces alight

They crowded the diesel oasis of light

With a hiss and a simmer, he poured each a cup

And soon they all realized how long they'd been up

When Santa himself reached the front of the line

The merry man smiled, "It's just about time!"

"For you my good sir I've the strongest of beans!"

"A sip and you'll see - one night's all that you need!"

As the jolly old elf took a sip through the steam,

His face lit up like an old movie screen

"I forgot how tiring this is," Santa said.

And together they drank till the dawn's rays glowed red

Then the odd little man folded up the small shop

And returned to the wheel with a quick little hop

And they heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight,

“Hot coffee for all, on this very long night!"