The first Joe realized the bonds no longer held him was when the Nowhere Man took him by the hand.

“Come with me. I want to show you something.”

Joe stood, looked around trying to look for an exit, then followed the Nowhere Man.

“It’s that way,” the man said, pointing without looking at Joe.

“What is?” Joe said.

“The door. But it will do you no good. There’s nothing out there and nowhere to go,” he stopped walking and folded his arms. “Go ahead, try if you want, I’ll be right here when you get back.”

Joe glanced toward the door and then back at the Nowhere Man. “Nah, I want to hear your story and why you’ve stolen the gift of possibility.”

The Nowhere Man nodded. “All in good time, Joe. And time is all we have here.”

“Can I ask you something, Mr., ah…” Joe said. “What do I call you?”

“I am known as Desperatus.”

“Known by who?” Joe said, while a murky memory buried deep in his mind struggled to get to the surface. “Is there anybody else here?”

Desperatus shook his head. “No, I am quite alone. But in a former life, that was my name.”

“Where are we going?” Joe asked.

“We are here,” Desperatus said, standing in front of a large curtain.

Joe came to stand next to him. “What’s this?”

Desperatus pulled the curtain back and Joe could see into a gigantic room filled with all sorts of toys and games. Ghostly images of kids played with drones and dolls and all manner of things.

GI Joes marched around the room. Harry Potter characters danced in the air. Children in all ages of dress squealed with delight as they tore open Christmas presents.

The images would fade from scenes from last Christmas into scenes from long ago with little boys using a stick to push a hoop along a dusty road. Then a group of little girls would appear, gathered around a small table, pretending to serve tea.

Some sights would flash by in an instant, others lingered for a time, but nothing ever stayed the same.

“What are these things?” Joe asked.

“This is what believing in possibilities does,” Desperatus said. “These precious possibilities Santa has given for years never last. They are not real. They are false hopes that lead to disappointment.”

“That’s not true,” Joe said. “I believe in possibilities.”

“Of course you do.  You’re a kid. But kids grow up and never remember these dreams. I’ve saved them the disappointment that comes with growing up.”

“No, you haven’t,” Joe said. “You’ve taken away the best part of being a kid. You’re not interested in saving anyone. You’re just angry you no longer believe.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter anyway. Here they are and here they’ll stay and there is nothing you, or anyone else, can do about it.”

“We’ll see about that!” Joe said, heading toward the door.

“Go ahead,” Desperatus said. “Even if you managed to find a way back, they won’t remember you. I’ve taken away all their memories. You no longer exist as far as they are concerned.”

Joe thought for a moment. Something nagged at him. Something his grandfather always used to say. ‘Things are often not what they seem.’ Maybe this was what he knew I would face someday.

“Why keep me and let the others go?” Joe said. “If you have the power to steal memories, then why not just steal mine as well so I’d forget all about you?”

The truth is more often revealed by what people don’t say than what they do say. Desperatus pausing before he answered was one of those moments.

“I owe you no explanation.”

“True. You don’t owe me anything,” Joe said, “but I am here because you kept me here. If there is something you want from me, or need from me, just tell me.”

Desperatus glanced around, then mouthed the words, “wait for me outside.” He glanced around again, then walked away.

Joe watched as this Nowhere Man disappeared around the corner. A moment of indecision wracked Joe’s brain. Was this a trick? A trap? Was it true his grandfather no longer remembered him?

Then a thought occurred to him. Santa sent me here because I believe in possibilities. Maybe that is what I need to do. To show Desperatus that possibilities can last lifetime. And every possibility has the potential to turn out well, but even if it doesn’t there is always more to come.

Joe headed toward the door, hesitated before opening it, then yanked it open.

Before him was the last thing he ever expected.  There in the snow-covered field was the sleigh, reindeer, Levi David, Wyatt James, Desperatus, and Joe’s grandfather all waiting on him. Smiles all around.

“What’s this?” Joe said, “This can’t possibly be another of your jokes, grandfather. Can it?”

Joe’s grandfather shook his head. “No, my boy, even I couldn’t pull this off. My friend here and Santa had to be certain you were ready.”

“Ready for what?” Joe asked.

“The part about someone has taken the gift of possibilities is all true. There’s more to it, but you need to learn this on your own. We had to be sure that, with all the obstacles you’ll face, you’d choose to see the possibility of success.

“When you walked out that door,” his grandfather said. “We all knew you were the one. My friend here threw a lot at you, and it didn’t matter,” then he hugged Joe.  “Of course, I never doubted it.”

“So Desperatus is a friend?” Joe asked.

“The best,” Joe’s grandfather said. “And, of course that’s not his real name.”

“Desperatus means hopeless in Latin, right?” Joe said.

His grandfather smiled. “And your mother said I was wasting time reading Latin to you before you could even walk.”

“I knew there was something about that name that was familiar.”

“His real name is Spero. And he needs our help in finding out where the real Nowhere Man is and where he has hidden Santa’s gift.”

Joe smiled at the thought, ‘Spero, Latin for hope.’

Tomorrow: Nowhere is a Long Way from Everywhere