CALGARY – Joshua Hughes, 7, suffered a mild Christmas trauma today when William Hughes, his biological father, burst into the family home in a Santa costume when stepfather James Cohen was already in the midst of playing the role.
“I know Marla [Hughes] likes to have her family over for Christmas dinner and I always used to entertain the kids with the ol’ Santa suit,” explained Hughes. “I just figured… even though I wasn’t invited… I’d… I don’t know why I showed up today. She’s with James now. I know that.”
Upon realizing there were two Santas in his home, Josh began crying and demanded to know how it could be possible. Observers report Cohen quickly pushed Hughes out the door while Marla improvised a story about how Santa clones improve the efficiency of gift delivery.
Outside, the two men stood in silence for a few minutes before Hughes finally asked if they could compare the gifts in their big red sacks.
“He was able to get that RC helicopter Joshie really wanted,” said Hughes, muffled by his big white beard. “He… James has a pretty great job downtown but I guess it’s alright. Josh will just think it’s from Santa anyway.”
Cohen and Hughes then sat on the stoop together and waited.
“I figured Josh would love the Santa suit. Marla told me how great it was all those years William wore it. I wanted to keep the tradition alive,” said Cohen, scratching under the itchy felt of his costume. “Y’know, I’m Jewish but even I can see how hard it is to be alone this time of year. Josh is an amazing, wonderful kid and William is the only other person, besides Marla, who truly understands that. It must hurt so much to be away from him.”
Eventually, to pass the time until Marla told Cohen to come back inside, the two men began talking.
“That was actually the first time we ever had a real conversation,” said Cohen. “He’s not a bad guy. I know he and Marla had their reasons for splitting up but I think he still carries a lot of guilt around.”
“There was a moment when he confessed that he was just trying to live up to the example I set for Josh,” said Hughes. “And then I admitted my fear that Josh would eventually forget me if I’m out of his life for too long. He’s just so young you know.”
“We had a pretty good cry after that. I’m feeling better now.”
At press time, a neighbourhood child looking at the Hughes/Cohen front lawn had some serious questions.
