Reviewed by Sammy
TITLE: He Sees You When You’re Sleeping
AUTHOR: Sara Dobie Bauer
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 20,000 words (short story)
RELEASE DATE: December 10, 2020
BLURB:
We met when you were just a child, but you’re a man now and need my protection.
With Christmas Eve approaching, I’ll watch over you.
Whether you know it or not.
Because no one is allowed to hurt you.
No one but me.
REVIEW:
I don’t even really know where to start with this amazing short story by Sara Dobie Bauer. He Sees You When You’re Sleeping is a dark, twisted, violent and utterly romantic holiday tale. This is the story of a man who has been locked into the role of playing Kris Kringle—Santa Claus–for more years than he can remember. It’s not that the night is wrong or painful for Kris; it’s just that he knows the reason for his being guided by the black shrouded woman from house to house is not necessarily a good one. When he finally does remember why he is stuck in that “other place” endlessly reliving Christmas Eve he is absolutely horrified as to what landed him there. But before that happens he will see a flickering light in a sad shabby house on one such trip. He only visits the houses with lights for he knows there live the children who still believe. As the years have passed, Kris notices they are getting fewer and fewer but he’s never seen a light that flickers so he stops and it’s there he finds Jack.
Jack is ten, abused, a foster child and bordering on disbelieving in just about any kind thing, including Santa. It will take a special gift from Kris to keep Jack’s hope alive and years later when the gift is used, a grown up Jack and Kris will meet again and begin a strange and creepy journey together which will somehow miraculously end with a happy ever after that is so totally unexpected it made me clap my hands in relief.
I so wish I could tell you more about this fabulous story. Some may find this one just a bit too far out here—a bit too dark and perhaps not see how Kris deserves the life he finally gets. But if you believe in redemption, if you have ever forgiven a grievous hurt or harm then I think He Sees You When You’re Sleeping will utterly captivate you. I know it did me. Just for the tragic figure that Kris represents this story and it deserves every star it can gather and from me that is five shining ones.
RATING: 
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