My True Love Sent to Me

How old is too old to wait on gifts from Santa?

Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash

Izzy had always been a little different. By junior high, she was the only girl still making handmade Valentine cards for her crushes (because there was always more than one, of course). Baking was a particular fascination of hers, to the point that she gifted homemade cookies every other week to her classmates.

It’s a good thing no one ever asked her whether she still believed in Santa Claus. Her fidgeting and the tomato-red blush in her cheeks would have given her away long before she could stutter out a lie.

And, always, on the first of December she would send out her letter to Santa.

Dear Santa,

How are you? I hear you’re getting bad weather up in the North Pole. Make sure to bundle up on Christmas Eve. You’ll get sick if you’re not careful.

I just turned eighteen, and I finally graduate from high school in just a few months. Do you think I can apply for another position at your workshop? I read that most jobs require a high school diploma, so I’m hoping you’ll be able to find a space for me. I’ve been saving up money for a one-way ticket.

You don’t have to worry about me this year as far as a gift. Just your consideration for a job would be enough. But can you do me a…