A
series of Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons vignettes for Christmas 2003
by Tiger Jackson
Back to: Spectrum Christmas Parang
“Hmmm. Those might be nice.” Captain Blue
bookmarked the website just as his door chime sounded. “Come in! It’s open!”
“I thought you were buying me a cup of
coffee after my shift?”
Blue whirled around. “Karen! Oh no . .
.” He looked at his watch. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I was on the Internet and
lost track of the time.” He kissed her.
“Well . . .” Symphony Angel pretended to
pout then broke into a wide smile. “I guess I’ll forgive you this time. Just
don’t let it happen again! Now what were you looking at that was more
fascinating than me?”
“Bicycles.”
“Bicycles?”
“For my kids. I have seven of them.
Three girls, four boys.”
Symphony was shocked. She reeled
backward and sat down hard on the bed. “Seven kids? You never told me you had
children!” To her surprise, Captain Blue laughed. She certainly didn’t see
anything funny about his revelation.
“I’m not their father, sweetheart! I
mean my angel children, the ones my mother sent up to me. Haven’t I ever told
you about them?”
The Svensons had been one of Boston’s leading
families since time immemorial. But the family was noted more for its wealth
than its philanthropy, and Adam Svenson’s father was not an exception to the
pattern. Oh, he made some calculated charitable donations for tax reasons and
managed to enjoy magnificent feasts and balls and concerts “fundraisers” but he
never so much as dropped a dollar into a charity box.
Adam’s mother, though, was different. At
Christmastime, she would take young Adam shopping. They always stopped at the
charity tree, an enormous evergreen covered with paper ornaments marked with
the names and wishes of children who didn’t have homes or whose families
couldn’t afford to get them anything for Christmas. The first time, they each
picked one name. Together, Adam and his mother made up stories about the
children they had chosen, called them by name, imagined what they liked to eat,
and shopped to find the perfect presents to fulfill their Christmas wishes.
Each year thereafter, they picked more
children.; one year, he had five. Their wishes were so modest compared to his.
And they were allowed to ask for only two gifts, whereas he was showered with
presents from his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles — he had begun to
feel ashamed. Many of the children asked for relatively simple things — a magic
kit, a basketball, shoes, music.
“I still remember two little girls,
sisters, I think, who asked for nothing except gloves and winter coats. No toys
or anything else. Just warm winter clothes.” Captain Blue’s face reflected his
feelings. “I never knew anyone who asked for clothes for Christmas. Especially
not something you just expected to have already, like a coat.”
Symphony had never seen this side of her
beloved before. It touched her heart deeply. “Did you get them what they asked
for?”
Blue nodded. “We added scarves and hats,
too. And wristwatches and jewelry kits and a pair of teddy bears. Stuff I hope
little girls like. I’m pretty sure of what boys like, but girls are more of a
mystery.”
Symphony smiled at Blue’s sheepish
admission.
“Since I can’t be home for Christmas
this year, I asked my mother to choose some angel children for me. She sent
them up just a few days ago. I’ve only begun my shopping.”
“Could you use some help? I was a girl
once myself, you know. I might be able to find some things the girls would
really like,” Symphony offered.
Blue grinned hugely. “You wouldn’t mind?
I mean, I promised we’d spend some time together today, just you and me —”
Symphony put her fingers against his lips. She smiled. “I can’t think of anyone I’d rather be with than you and the children.”
Back to: Spectrum Christmas Parang
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STORIES BY TIGER JACKSON
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