"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful."
- Norman Vincent Peale

The routine at the ranch had become so predictable Lucas was surprised to see the staff putting up Christmas decorations one day. It was two weeks until the twenty-fifth, and he hadn't prepared gifts for anyone or even thought about the holiday. He had to have something for Nora and Gus, at least. Maybe a card for Jeff too. It would have been easy to go out and buy something, but they weren't allowed to step foot off the property. Store bought presents were forbidden anyway. Anything from the outside might be stuffed with contraband from sympathetic friends and family.

Reluctantly, Lucas realized he would have to make something. He had learned basic sewing in elementary school, but he signed up for a crash course at the ranch. The class was optional and added to the end of the school schedule for anyone who wanted to take part. It was specifically designed for making Christmas presents and would only be open until Christmas Eve. There he learned how to make small stuffed animals, scarves and blankets. Giving Gus a stuffed animal would be weird, but Nora would love it. He made her a fist-sized bunny he'd assembled from cast off fuzzy material from the craft bin. Since he didn't know how to sew very well, its shape resembled that of a fat hamster more than a rabbit, but she would at least pretend to love it.

For Gus, he used the sewing machine to create a simple fleece blanket with fringe on the sides. One side of the blanket was red and the other was blue with a faint pattern of stars, Gus's favorite colors.

"Put my name on it too. I don't have anything for Gus," Nora whispered to him in Group the next day.

Lucas nodded. "I was already gonna say it was from both of us. Can I say you did the sewing? It kinda sucks."

Nora made a face. "So I get to take credit for your shitty sewing?"

"That's not how I meant it."

"There's no other way to mean it. I'm not bailing you out, baby. Plus, unlike you I can actually sew pretty decently. It would be obvious I was lying."

"Fine," Lucas said, pretending to pout. "No Christmas present for you then. Nothing at all."

"Then I guess I'll toss yours out. Two can play the bitch game, honey," she said.

Lucas grinned. "Game? Isn't it more of a way of life for you?"

Nora playfully shoved him as he laughed. "You're an ass!" she said.

"Yeah but you love my ass."

**********

Gus carried Moon everywhere; to Group, to individual therapy, to the pastures for chores and even to the cafeteria during meals. That was a major no-no, but the few people who knew about it liked the kitten too much to say anything. She was small enough to fit inside the front pocket of Gus's hoodie, and if she happened to stick her head out Gus just gently pulled her back in from the other side. Lucas secretly thought Jeff and Gina knew, but the kitten was helping Gus so much they didn't want to take her away.

Gus was sleeping better now. He still had nightmares and night terrors after his EMDR sessions, but not at the frequency of a month ago. Moon slept curled up against his neck on the pillow. She was always the first to know when he was about to freak out, and she'd taken to mewing loudly just before it happened. Lucas didn't know how she knew, but he was always grateful for the heads up.

"She probably feels the muscles in his neck tensing," Nora said when Lucas told her about the cat's psychic powers.

In the common area, Moon was always the star of the show. She was adorable, feisty and fast, an irresistible combination. They tormented her with flashlight beams and the edges of blankets, laughing hysterically when she pounced on nothing. She obviously thought she was much bigger and scarier than she really was. All the girls wanted to hold her while they watched movies, and Gus would let them, but Moon always made her way back over to his lap. He was her favorite person in the world.

On Christmas morning, Gus had to leave Moon in their room. She'd taken to climbing the Christmas tree in the common area lately and had already broken a couple of ornaments that Lucas and Gus had hastily swept behind the sofas and chairs. She gave them both a bitchy look as they left without her.

Everyone came together in the common area that day. It was the only space large enough to hold all the staff and residents. Jeff stood up as they all talked and rang a cow bell.

"Attention!" he shouted.

The noise died down.

"Merry Kwanzakuhmas. See what I did there? Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and Christmas combined? I should get an award," Jeff said, amused with himself.

"What do you want, Jeff? We're starving!" shouted a guy in the back.

Everyone laughed and started talking again, and Jeff had to ring the bell once more to get their attention back.

"Seriously, let this celebration be a happy one. For some of you, this is the first Christmas in a long time that you've been clean. For others, you never got to experience the joy of a family Christmas. But today, we have each other. We have hope. We have love. Acknowledge, embrace and share that shit."

Jeff paused for a few seconds before finishing up with, "Then run to the cafeteria as fast as you can! Lin made chocolate waffles!"

Kids scrambled over each other to get to the door. Gus, Lucas and Nora took their time, knowing there would be more than enough food. Jeff smiled at them as they walked past him.

"Here comes the dream team right here," he said. "How you doin', Nora?"

Nora shrugged. "Fine. I guess."

"You gonna call your parents today?"

She sighed heavily. "I don't know. Maybe."

"Lucas? How 'bout you?"

"I'm calling my mom and brother. I feel really good," he said, realizing with surprise that he actually meant it.

"And Gus, my man, how you doin' today?"

Gus shrugged. "I'm happy. I love Christmas. It's my favorite holiday."

"How does it feel to be part of a family?"

He smiled. "Um... kinda weird. I always spent Christmas with street people or just by myself. But I always celebrated it. I never forgot even once!"

"Yeah? Why is that?" Jeff asked, holding the door open for them.

"Because Christmas is fuckin' awesome! Even when you're homeless, everything's pretty, and there's always a church or shelter with a lot of food."

"Well said. Go eat."

After breakfast, everyone came back to the common area to exchange gifts. Nora gave Lucas a crooked red scarf that she'd knitted in craft class. It wasn't good; threads hung loose, some twisted and tied off. It looked like it had been worn a million times already, but Lucas knew she had worked hard on it so he put it on right away.

His stuffed bunny present to Nora made her laugh and kiss him. Lucas didn't know if she knew what it was really supposed to be, but as expected she pretended to love it and attached it to a key ring so she could hang it off her purse once they got out of here. Gus shyly handed each of them a rolled up piece of drawing paper. He gave two others to Jeff and Gina.

Nora's was a drawing of her and Moon. She was laughing, laying on the couch, her hair spread out all around her as Moon batted at the ends. The image was striking in that it seemed like the two subjects were in motion and about to jump from the page.

"I remember that day!" she exclaimed. "What- did you take a picture of me?"

Gus shrugged. "Nope. I just take pictures in my head and draw 'em."

"This is amazing work!" she said, in awe of Gus's unknown talent.

Lucas's drawing was of him on the porch that first night they'd smoked the forbidden cigarettes. He held one in the drawing and was staring off into space, looking pensive while the smoke floated up around him in gray, soft wisps that almost seemed like threads of his thoughts. The lifelike details were incredible. Lucas had only seen work like this in art books.

"Dude, I had no idea you could draw like this!" he exclaimed.

Gus shrugged, looking embarrassed. "You're just sayin' that."

"No! I'm serious! This is fuckin' amazing!"

Jeff's and Gina's pictures were just as lifelike and detailed as his and Nora's. Jeff was laughing with his head thrown back, his eyes almost disappearing the way they did when something was really funny and his smile took over his whole face. Gina had a gentle smile on her face and kind eyes that almost seemed to stare down at the viewer from above. Lucas didn't recognize the snapshots, but that was probably because they were from private sessions and conversations. Gus really did take pictures in his head.

Jeff hugged him, and Gus's small body seemed to disappear into the huge embrace for a moment. Gina was next. She was crying and held him for a long, long time. She whispered something into his ear, and Gus blushed, looking embarrassed but also pleased.

"We have your present too," Lucas said.

He ducked down under the tree and passed up the soft wrapped package. Gus took it and tore the snowflake paper off. Then he unfolded the blanket and held it up in front of him.

"Sorry it looks like a piece of shit," Lucas said hurriedly. "But we tried. Well... I tried."

"I fuckin' love it, dude!" Gus said happily, sinking down onto the sofa as he ran his hand over the soft fleece. "My favorite colors too. Nobody ever made me a blanket before, and this one's all soft and warm too."

"Well, glad you like it," Lucas said, embarrassed.

Gus looked up at him. "I'm gonna get you guys one too, but a really nice one. I'm gonna give it to you when we meet up in Chicago. 'Kay?" he said.

"You don't have to do that," Nora said.

"No, I'm going to. For real. For makin' this for me. I'll never forget it. You guys are my best friends."

"We love you, sweetie," Nora said, leaning down to give him a big hug.

"Yeah. You're my best friend too. The only real friend I've ever had... besides Nora," Lucas mumbled awkwardly.

Gus wrapped the blanket around his shoulders. "Okay, I'm ready for a nap now. That's my Christmas present to myself," he said with a grin.