“Yes, sir.”

Chapter 14: The Last Christmas Photograph

Christmas Eve arrived with light snow.

Northbridge Mall was crowded again.

Families lined up for photographs.

Children laughed beside decorated trees.

The enormous red velvet chair had been repaired.

The scattered presents had been replaced.

And the familiar old man in the Santa suit sat beneath the warm Christmas lights.

Arthur Bell adjusted his fake beard.

His shoulder still ached.

His knee still bothered him.

But the Red Door Project had delivered every promised gift, coat, and grocery package.

Three hundred and twenty-seven children.

Not one left off the list.

Nora stood near the photo area helping families organize themselves.

Emily supervised the line.

Vincent sat on a bench drinking coffee and complaining about the holiday music.

And near the entrance, Derek helped volunteers carry the last donated supplies toward the storage room.

Nobody had told him to stay.

He had simply asked whether there was more work.

Arthur noticed.

He didn’t comment.

Some changes were better left to prove themselves over time.

The investigation into Graham Sloan’s business dealings was still ongoing.

Derek’s professional future remained uncertain. He had been suspended from promotional appearances while the athletic organization reviewed the incident.

He had agreed to cooperate with investigators, accept responsibility for his conduct, and begin counseling.

His relationship with his father had become strained.

There were no easy solutions waiting for him.

No magical forgiveness.

No sudden restoration of his public reputation.

But for the first time in his adult life, Derek had begun making decisions without asking whether they would impress Graham.

Arthur considered that a beginning.

Not a victory.

A beginning.

Near closing time, a little girl approached Santa’s chair.

She wore a red winter coat and carried a stuffed reindeer.

Arthur recognized her immediately.

The same girl who had been crying during the confrontation.

“Well, hello there,” he said.

She smiled.

“Hi, Santa.”

“What’s your name?”

“Lucy.”

“Lucy. That’s a beautiful name.”

She climbed carefully onto the chair beside him.

Her mother stood nearby, watching.

Arthur adjusted his hat.

“And what would you like for Christmas, Lucy?”

The little girl thought about it.