The mother stood speechless. 

“I’m sorry, Jill.  Your father is alive and living with his second family in Vietnam,” said Nicholas.  “After his plane crashed in the Upper Highlands, he was on the run from Viet Cong patrols for weeks until he injured himself and was taken in by a family there who protected him from capture.  He fell in love with the daughter and figured you, your brother, and your mother probably thought he was dead since he wasn’t heard from for so long.  But he thought your mother was ready to divorce him since he signed up for a second tour and she hated that decision.”

“How did you know about my father?”

“I’m Nicholas, the Bishop of Myra.  My equipment at the North Pole allows me to know what people are thinking and persuade people to give certain presents to others.   That is why you will give a certain item I am not at liberty to talk about to your son, whether he deserves it or not.”

The boy’s face lit up.

“You’re getting me the Xbox, aren’t you?” he asked his father. 

“I’m sorry, Sean.  I persuaded them to get you something you need more.  You’ll just have to wait until Christmas to see what it is,” said the saint. 

“Thank-you, whoever you are,” said the mother.  “But I still want you out of here.  What if a child insults you again?  The parents may not be as kind as we are.” 

The assistant manager looked at the saint and said, “I’m sorry, sir.  I know the manager hired you and the others.  But I need to try and keep the patrons of this mall happy.  You understand, don’t you sir?”

“Yes I do.  I’m sorry for how things turned out.  But whenever people insult my Lord and Savior, I must defend him no matter the consequences.”

“At least the manager’s sister’s brother-in-law will be here tomorrow.  I’ll have to see if he can work here full time.  I can pay you and the others for your time this week.”

“That won’t be necessary,” said the saint.  “I find the children often selfish and foolish.  But I did discover that not all the children in this society are greedy.  They really do care about their siblings and parents.  I am proud of them.   I pray that they grow up to be fine adults who don’t need much of my persuasion or that of my son to be generous and give the correct presents to others.”