A Christmas Wish

Christmas is a magical time of year,

especially where I grew up.

For as long as people in Ponchatoula can remember,

things happened at Christmas

that no one could seem to explain.

When my grandparents were kids,

Billy Finch wished for a pony.

And it was in his backyard the next morning.

Both of his parents swore they did not buy it.

When my parents were teenagers, their teacher, Mrs. Johnson,

wished for an answer to her financial woes.

And wouldn't you know it?

She found a winning lottery ticket

on the sidewalk that same week.

After a while, the town believed

there was real magic in the air.

My family was certainly no exception.

I guess it's fitting, then, that my parents named me Faith.

Come on, Maddie.

My sister Maddie and I could not wait

to put our wishes in the wishing box,

which was set out every year on the first day of December.

We would write down our heart's deepest desires,

fold them extra, extra tight,

and then we'd grab hands and close our eyes

before dropping them in.

A lucky few would have their wishes granted

by the Wish Committee,

a tradition that started when we were kids.

But maybe, just maybe,

your wish would be granted by something,

or someone, even bigger.

Back then, I believed I had hope in the impossible.

And things never seemed more possible

than at Christmas.

But that was a very long time ago.

- Morning, Miss Mason. -Hey, Stella.

Good morning.

You making a wish?

Yeah. See you at school.

I'll see you there.

Oh.

-Hello? - Hey.

I was just wondering

if I had gotten out of bed for nothing.

Sorry I'm late, Mr. Porter.

Thank you so much for opening up early for me again.

Well, I wouldn't do it for anybody, you know.

I mean, I am your favorite customer.

So, what are you cooking up this week?

Well, today is the last day before winter break,

so all the kids are putting the finishing touches

on their homemade gifts.

-Really? -I know what you're thinking.

These are not macaroni necklaces

or awful Popsicle stick picture frames.

These, my friend, are works of art.

I have had this one little boy all semester

knitting a hat for his sister,

and it is adorable.

We've been running dangerously low on supplies,

so I just wanted to stock up and make sure

the kids have everything they need

to take their gifts home.

You really go above and beyond for those kids, don't you?

Well, yeah. They're good kids.

I know.

Okay. These.

That's it.

That's all I'm going to do for today.

Yeah. Right.

Anything special for the holiday?

I'm going to sleep in. I might read a book.

My sister Maddie's coming into town.

She's bringing her new boyfriend.

We think he's the one.

-Oh, good for her. -Mm-hm.

Hey, you and Maddie plan on putting anything

in the wishing box this year?

I think I'm a little old for the wishing box.

Well, if you're too old, I'm way too old.

But I've already put in my wish.

What did you wish for?

Well, I can't tell you,

or it won't come true.

I think it's very sweet

that you are an honest-to-goodness believer.

But my mother's on the Wish Committee,

so I know how the whole thing works.

Although I will keep my fingers crossed

-your wish gets pulled. -Well, there was a time

when there was no Wish Committee, you know?

That wishing box is nearly as old as the town itself.

Well, I have heard all the stories.

And they are magical.

I, however, am late to school,

so thank you so much for your help today.

-You betcha. -Put it on my tab.

You are the best.

-Enjoy the candy -Thank you.

Ho, ho, ho.

Thank you.

Talia, why are we refilling the cream?

It's 7:00 a.m.

Everyone cheats during the holidays.

Extra sugar, extra spice, and mountains of whipped cream.

He's here again.

Same table.

Oh, really? I hadn't noticed.

You said you were going to go talk to him last week

and the week before that.

He looks busy.

His name's Andrew.

He lives right up the street. Just go say hey.

What's the worst that could happen?

I could find out that we have nothing in common.

Or that, like, he's a bad tipper.

-He's a great tipper. -Oh, God. Okay, fine.

Then he's perfect. Why ruin it?

-Got to go. -Bye.

Bye.

I know, I know. We're going to be late for work.

-What'd you get me? -Huh?

I get breakfast on Wednesdays. This is Tuesday.

Tomorrow's holiday break, so I'm calling it off.

-Oh, blueberry. -Wyatt.

All right, I'll get my own.

It was the last one. You can have half.

Okay, then I accept.

Oh!

Hey, are you okay?

Oh, yes. I'm all right, thank you.

- Okay. Come on. - Oh.

-You good? - Oh, just my boot.

Oh, no, here. I got you.

Let me see here.

All right, well, I'll tell you,

I really like your laces. Those are very festive.

Oh, well, it's the little things that make a person stand out.

I think so too.

Now, unfortunately, I do not think

you're going to be able to walk on those anymore.

-No. -But I think I have a solution.

Hold on, let me see your foot.

Yup. Okay.

I was going to wear these later,

but you need them more.

I couldn't possibly take your shoes.

-No. No, no, no, no. -Yeah. Please.

They are a work of art.

I make stuff like this all the time.

Really. And I have to walk to school,

so I'll just wear my sneakers.

I'm good. Please.

Oh, my. Oh!

Oh, they fit so good.

Oh, good.

Beauty. See?

It was meant to be.

Oh!

-How can I repay you? -No, no, no.

-It's a gift. -I think that's everything.

You sure you don't need help with this?

No, I'm fine.

You and your lovely girlfriend,

-you have done so much. -Oh...

-No, she's not my girlfriend. -We're friends.

Oh, well, my mistake.

Well, Merry Christmas.

-Yeah. Merry Christmas. See you. -Bye.

Good morning, Greta.

Getting back from dance class?

Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

Have a great holiday.

You too.

We're in the homestretch.

All right, see you.

Oh, my God.

I hope I am that cool in my 70s and I start a new hobby.

Oh, my God. I'm into it if you're into it.

Maybe we'll get our black belt in karate.

-Yes. -Learn how to scuba dive.

I'm glad that we're still friends in our golden years.

Yeah. We're gonna keep getting better with age, I think.

Really good job, you guys.

I am very impressed.

Yes, I like-- I like what's happening here.

Michael, tell me who this handsome guy is.

This is Harvey, my grandpa's dog.

Oh, grandpa's dog.

He's very smart-looking.

Do you hang out with him all the time?

You guys are doing so great. Oh, man.

Aiden, this crosshatching is incredible.

What are you going to name this tree?

Hmm.

The family tree.

The family tree.

Oh, my gosh.

Miss Stella.