No Ordinary Ornament

Gosh, it seemed like forever ago!
Elementary school, to be exact.

I had a crush on the weirdest kid in our class – Kenny Emersyn. Very few kids liked him, so I don't know what I saw in him. His family was poor – his mother, a single mom of four kids, who hoped any of her varied weekend dates would stick around long enough to help her with her monthly financial obligations. However, that financial plan never quite seemed to work out for her.

In third grade, when I drew Kenny's name for our classroom "Secret Santa" charade, I had no idea the door I was opening. A simple gift exchange became so much more than that. Now, we're adults, and Kenny and I are the only members of our class who still live in our small town. Once again, Kenny is in need and I'm the only one who can help him. This time, it's a matter of life and death! This time, I'm looking at an entirely different Christmas gift exchange. If I do it, Kenny lives. If I don't . . . he will die. If I help him, I could be risking my life. If I don't help him, I will live the rest of my life, knowing he died because I didn't help him.

It shouldn't be such a dilemma. Save a tormented man's life! It's the right thing to do. But, am I really willing to risk my own life to save him?