Holiday Illusion by Lynette Eason

make Andy even more sick. No, this one is special just for you.”
    Paulo’s lips puckered in thought again, his little brows pulling downward. “Oh. Then I must accept this gift. We must not waste it. It is the right thing to do.”
    Lucas gripped Paulo’s bony shoulder. “I’m glad you see it that way.”
    The boy slid down further in the bed and closed his eyes. “I’m very tired now. I think I will sleep some before I get the new heart.”
    Anna and Lucas left him, stepping into the hallway. As soon as the door shut behind her, she burst into tears. Lucas didn’t say a word, just pulled her into his arms and let her get it out. Finally, she looked up and gave self-conscious half laugh through the tears. “I’m sorry.
    I’m a mess. I just can’t believe that child in there. He’s so unspoiled, so innocent and unselfish. I think we could all learn a few things from him.”
    Lucas pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead before pulling her back into a hug. “I couldn’t agree more.” He whispered the words so softly, she almost didn’t catch them, but she did and realized God was doing something in this man’s heart. Joy bubbled inside her at the idea of Lucas becoming a Christian. Please, Lord, keep working on him. Keep showing him Your unconditional love.
    Â 
    Lucas felt blown away by Paulo’s willingness to sacrifice himself so that another boy could live. He wondered if Paulo was even aware that this was his one shot at life. That he was very close to death and if this operation didn’t take place or work for some reason, he probably wouldn’t live to see very many more tomorrows.
    And then he decided, yes, the boy knew.
    What was inside him that made him so unselfish, so willing to make that kind of sacrifice? The kid was only nine years old. Where had he seen that kind of giving?
    His eyes slid to the woman seated by his side. Anna.
    She’d taught Paulo about God. About a God that offered himself up as a sacrifice so that others could live. And she’d taught him that, as a follower of Christ, he was to strive to be like Jesus. Paulo wanted to be like the Jesus he loved, which was what made him willingly to give away the one thing that would allow him to live here on this earth.
    Lucas shook his head. It was beginning to throb with all this thinking about God. And yet, it seemed he couldn’t stop thinking about Him. Maybe it was time to give God a chance. What could it hurt? He pressed the button on the elevator, still deep in thought.
    He headed for his meeting with Mark relieved to switch his thoughts from spiritual things. Paulo was being prepped now. Anna would stay with him until the surgery. Lucas had explained everything to Paulo in as much detail as possible about what to expect pre-op and post-op.
    Paulo didn’t much like the idea of waking up with a tube down his throat, nor the fact that he would be unable to speak. But Lucas promised him in a few weeks he would be feeling so much better it would all be worth it in the end.
    After the routine meeting, Lucas headed to find Paulo. He’d promised to be in the surgery with him. The boy had specifically asked him to be there and Lucas had agreed. He would hold his hand until the anesthesia kicked in. Then he would watch…and maybe pray. Just to see.
    He met them coming down the hall toward the operating room. Paulo sighed in relief when he saw Lucas. “I knew you would come. You said you would.”
    Lucas grabbed Paulo’s hand. “Hey, you’re my bud. No way would I let you down.”
    They walked hand in hand, Anna trotting on the other side of the gurney to the surgery center. Stopping outside the door, Anna leaned over to press a kiss to Paulo’s cheek. “I’ll be waiting on you when you come out, okay? Remember that Jesus is there with you, holding you tight.”
    â€œYes. I am not worried.”
    The gurney