Five blocks, I tell myself as I shiver in the chilly air. My old jacket is weighed down by two oranges in my pocket. I slowly walk towards the yellow glowing porch lights. They are always burning golden luminosity. It could be day or night, winter or summer, and they are still blazing. There is a faint smell of a fire that welcomes me towards her house. Trembling in the wind, I sense my eyes start to water. I wipe them off with the cloth from my pocket. It is my first date, and I am only twelve. My frozen fingers fidget with the nickel I have in my pocket. The dog barks loudly until my date comes waltzing through the door, pulling on her gloves, with her cheeks colored in rouge. Looking pretty as always, she waves to me as she walks down her porch steps. Even though it must be twenty degrees, I order myself not to shiver. I must look tough and impress her. “You look pretty,” I announce to her, as I walk over and touch her shoulder. “Thanks,” she says, smiling. I lead her down the street across a used car lot and a line of newly planted trees. As we walk, I can see her hair flowing in the icy wind. “So, how’s life?” I ask. “Fine, I guess. School’s hard, but I manage,” she responds. “How about you?” “Great!” I lie. Really, my parents are struggling to make enough money, and my grades, you don’t even want to ask. “So,” I say, breaking the awkward silence. “What do you want for Christmas?” “Oh, I celebrate Hanukkah.” Way to go, Peter, I think to myself. “What do you want for Christmas?” she asks. “A bike,” I say, yet I know there is no way my parents can afford one for me. As we enter the drugstore, the tiny bell brings the smiling saleslady. We walk down the narrow aisle of goods, and I turn to the candies. “What would you like?” I ask her. With light in her eyes, she starts to smile. Her gaze wanders for a moment, looking at her large selection. I pray she picks something that costs no more than a nickel, but what if she doesn’t? What if she finds out I am poor and suddenly runs away? I think to myself. What if she lets the whole school know that I am such a bad friend because I only brought a nickel and I never have a friend ever again? She lifts a chocolate that cost a dime, and I say nothing. As I walk to the cashier, she goes to look at the ornaments. Maybe she wants to decorate a Christmas tree, I think. Staring at the floor, I take out the nickel and the orange from my pocket and quietly place them down on the counter. I am even more nervous now. My hands are sweaty, and I feel a huge lump forming in my throat. What if she saw me? I think to myself. Will she not like me anymore? Questions circle my mind making me dizzy. The lady’s eyes meet mine and hold them knowing what it is all about. I look back for a second, making sure my date isn’t watching and then turn back to the lady who then takes the orange and the nickel and hands me the chocolate. “Thanks,” I whisper in the silence. “You two love birds have fun tonight,” she tells us and winks at me as we walk out the door. The little bell rings again as the freezing darkness of the winter confronts us. There is not a single soul to be seen in the somber streets. The fog is hanging like old coats between the trees. I take my girl’s hand for two blocks and then release it to let her unwrap her chocolate. Once we find a bench to sit on, I peel my orange that is so fragrant and bright against the gray December. From the distance, someone might think that I am making a fire in my hands. It is a fire of love and peace, rising and warming up the icy December night. She takes my hand away from my orange and places a small, wooden object in the center of my palm. I look to see a little bicycle ornament.