Dear Santa...

Happy holidays everyone! Que and his Pokémon hope you have a great holiday season no matter what, if anything, you celebrate

Dear Santa,
It's as if a miracle. Everything gets colder, and suddenly, mom is home to stay- for the day, at least. She gave me a new puzzle and told me today was "Christmas" and it was from you, who came via train to deliver gifts to everyone during the night. She said that next year, I will be 5- a big boy- and can send a letter to you all by myself asking for one thing. You must have an awfully big heart.

Mom says I might have one as big as you one day.

Thank you for the gift,
Que

Dear Santa,
It's almost Christmas again. I'm all alone and the room is cold. I was going to have Clare over, but she moved away last week. Everyone is moving away- mom tells me that this place is just a rest stop for them, just a stop on the road to home. Maybe I should go outside and find someone else to play with.

Hoping for some warm mittens,
Que.

Dear Santa,
[Scribbled out]Thank you for the mittens last year. I wore them out, and I'd like a replacement. I need to find someone else- Karla moved a few months back, and no other children want to play with me. They don't want a friend, they say. They don't want any friends- at least, they don't want a cry-baby like me. But last week, I found a girl who would play with me. Maybe if I get some awesome mittens, she'll be able to play forever.[scribbled out]
Can I have a friend who will never leave?
Please?

Que.

Dear Santa,
I can't thank you enough for bringing me Growlithe last year. He's warm and fuzzy and never bullies me for crying when mom doesn't come home like she promised.

I can't help it.

Mom says it's because I have a big heart, like you.

Another puzzle might be nice this year. I can do all of mine with my eyes closed.

Que

Dear Santa,
Someone at school told me that Santa doesn't exist. I insisted that you did, that you came on a train and.... and took away that dreadful heaviness that clung to me every time a second passed.

I started crying.

I'm never going to cry again.

My classmates laughed at me. I'd have gotten angry, but I don't know who any of them are anyways. They just keep moving out and moving in. I'm the only one who stays behind. They're all just Faceless.

When will mom become one too?

Que.

Dear Santa,
I forgot to ask for a gift from you last year, but I think you knew what I wanted because mom started homeschooling me this year. Or at least, she bought the books for me. She's never home long enough to teach.

I never have to go outside again.

But it's awful inside, too. Even Growlithe can't fill this.... cavern of a home.

I want mommy home all Christmas this year. She's been so busy, I'm afraid she won't make it.

Lonesome,
Que.

Santa,
You didn't fulfill my wish last year.
I waited for the train whistle that night.
All night.
And when it came, you didn't come with it, and neither did mom.
She said something about money and debts.
She promised.
I hate promises.

I'd ask for something, but I'm too afraid that you won't give it to me.

Que.

Dear Santa,
Sorry for not writing to you for awhile. It just hurt.... the train whistle hurts to listen to, to wait on disappointment. It's not like we had a Christmas for the last two years anyways.

Mom says I can leave for a journey soon.

I hope so.

I have to leave. Mom says I'm running away because I have a big heart. She hates running away.

I don't think I want a big heart anymore.

For the last time,
Que.

Dear Santa,
I think I'm officially a big boy now. 18.
I don't want to be big.
No one thinks you exist anymore, but I do. After all, I've never seen you before, and I'll never see you again, and there's something comforting in that fact.

I've been on a journey, now, and come home. I'm not sure what was supposed to happen during it- all I've been through is a lot of pain. I only cried once, though, but I think that might have all been a nightmare.

You've always been big hearted- how do you do it?

... maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all.

With friends,
Que.