The Cardboard Box

When I was seven years old, my three siblings, mother and I lived in a one-bedroom apartment near LA. Our step father ran off somewhere, and we had nothing. We knew not to expect anything on Christmas. Mom wrapped a green towel on a lampshade, and hung miniature candy canes around the top which she got from the bank. That was our tree.
Christmas eve there was a knock at the door. It was a man bearing a box of goodies. A turkey, a bag of potatoes, and all the fixings. Plus one toy for each of us children. Mine was a doll. It was my only gift, and one I never expected. I shall never forget that Christmas, or the man I refer to as Santa Clause who brought the cardboard box.