tri

e to Noel to help out in the toy drive, hopi

e time, I felt happy about her willingness to help children. But I'd taken off my rose-colored glasses since then, and looking bac

ays adored kids and couldn't wait to be a mother one day. She said she wished she were a bit older so she could consider adopting. Looking back, she only ever talked about

, assisting families that couldn't afford a holiday dinner much less presents for all of their kids. Because of the st

that only the regular news channel would be there for a few minutes to

hey were struggling. Then there were some other families that were a little more obviously down on their luck. The childr

ant me?" I aske

tioned at the toy table. How about that?" she asked. Then she lifted the board to cover h

it's the most fun?

get the most laughs and smiles. A

e walking around, pulling a tablecloth over a couple o

hrugged. "Depends on how nice

the kind of guy to assume that all boys wanted trucks while all girls wanted Barbies. But while I was making a new organization system, someo

y shortly after that and told me I'd likely have one or two helpe

ace them. After all, I'd been all over Noel for the last couple of weeks. I scanned the room, which was growing busier and busier, wondering what

ool aged kid with curly red hair and green Converse. His name was Oliver. We didn't have much ti

s received new clothes, food, and household items, and they got to top it off with special gifts like to

d at getting to choose their own toy. I was glad that I had done this, no matter what the original intention had been. Giving out toys alone probably touched the hearts of these kids, but I was he

ound and gave the toy to her older sister, who was probably twelve. "I wanted to give this to you," she told her sister, "because you

I turned to avoid anyone seeing me shed a tear-it just seemed unprofessional. I d

caught my gaze, she smiled and waved. It was a cute, shy smile that brought a little bit of pinkness to her cheeks. I

a moment to go say hi. She spotted me making my way over and pardoned herself as well. We found ourselves mee

too cheerfully. I really wasn

awkwardly as she clenched her

hat she remem

I assumed you lived in Mi

isiting and volunteering. I though

ss I just didn't expect to

ce grew between us as we both

going with the toys?

It's so great getting to see some of these kids get to accept a Christmas present. I can't imagine what it means to them. It seems l

cute," she said. "I'm jealous. I know it's important, but handing out to

will people appreciate more when they're in the bathroo

y and shrugged. "Depends on

she had been quite funny tha

e asked, narrowing her eyes at me. "Are you capab

ully. "Of course. I'm t

" she asked wi

e. "I'm a professional

eyebrow. "Profes

asted as if that were something someone in their ea

stuff?" she c

at 'beach?' Well, Patrick," I gestured to

arbie's Ken?

ded a

't have the choice but to believe you. But you best know that I'll be keeping an eye on you from

at high speed. I liked the idea of her keeping an eye on me. I fel

houlder. "I think I bett

d. As she turned to leave

and looked

p, I also know a lot

s and smirked befo

up to see if Holly was indeed keeping an eye on me. I found myself feeling a little let do

made it to the little break room, to my sweet surprise, Holly was seate

id. "You're

she nodded toward the counter behind her. "Free lunch

oo presumptuous and that she was okay with me doing so. "You seem

ng me a pro? I'm flattered!" she said, pre

y with mine and popped open

ut as an adult only a couple of times. My

le back I came with my girlfriend,

" Holly asked. Then she immediatel

he was the only girlfriend I'd ever had. "Ah, no." I said, waving my hand. Then wanting to ens

ly as she continued to c

u? Boyfriend?

nd. "Don't have

rying to match

ouldn't qualify as a boyfriend because I was so wrapped up in AP classes,

ing to keep the conversation going, not just for co

he prize?

anted to stay in school for long, so I did ev

at she had double-majored in English Literature and L

n working on finals. They're supposed to

nd grinned. I showed it to h

bite. "Oh," she said,

to check?"

"Is it weird th

red?" I asked, restin

ter. "If I pass, then I've graduated. I mean, I've always been a good student, so I'm sure

not make you feel better, but we're rarely one

into my soul. Maybe this was the first time I'd really looked at her. Her

it out," I en

hone out. She was silent as she thumbed her screen. An

" I said in

a bit wider. There was that peek of a

ebration!" I cheered. "Are

"How many librarians do you k

I'm also pretty much the Professional of All Th

adult, I hope you don't fail' party plan?" she

ly. "I have some ideas

duation party?" she asked, bewil

o something for her. Call it the Christmas spirit

he table. I was honestly feeling a little worried that she might think I

aid, "Okay. Let's do it. Y