I wanted it to look amazing so customers could see the effort, and so they loved coming into the store. It was all about the aesthetic, the feel of the store. And this Christmas decoration was the cherry on top of the cake.
It was a miniature living room scene, complete with furniture and a rug on the floor, a Christmas tree with lights, a glowing fireplace, and books, of course.
The store window would be adorned with fake snow and garlands, and I wanted people to feel as if they were looking into a fairytale house where it was warm and cozy, where they were welcome.
But that also meant there was a bit of assembly required and making sure all the small lights worked and that everything was perfectly positioned.
I had to go outside a few times and direct Ro to move things half an inch here and there to ensure things were perfectly positioned. On the third time of me going out, Gunter came out across the street.
“Morning,” he said brightly. When he got close, he looked at the display, then got a proper look inside, just as Ro turned all the little lights on. “Oh wow. That looks amazing.”
I smiled proudly at the display. “It does, doesn’t it?”
He peered in at the rest of the store. “It all looks great. Big opening day tomorrow, right?”
I nodded. “Yep. December first.”
“Oh, that reminds me,” he said. “Did you know about the lighting of the Christmas tree tomorrow?”
“No. What’s that?”
“Oh, every December first they light the Christmas tree in the park by the river. The mayor welcomes everyone to the holidays and they light up the tree. It’s kinda fun. The whole town comes along.”
“But tomorrow is my opening day,” I said. How could I not have known about this?
“Oh no, they light it up around seven at night. You might catch it after you lock up for the day.” Then he shrugged. “We all go. Our group of friends.” Then he leaned in and, with his hand hiding his mouth, said, “All us queer folk, that is. The whole gang. You’ve met a few of us but I can introduce you to everyone.”
Oh.
That actually sounded nice.
“Sometimes we go to the diner or the pizzeria afterwards. Not sure what’s happening tomorrow night though. It’s fun, low-key.”
Fun, low-key?
He must have noticed my picking up of his choice of vocabulary. He had to be close to fifty...
“I’ve been hanging out with the kids too much,” he said with a laugh. “It doesn’t make me feel old at all.”
I’d seen kids coming and going, and when I looked over at the café, there were some faces peeking at us through the glass front. “I think we have an audience.”
Gunter turned around and his face broke out in a smile. “They’re very excited about your store,” he said before hewaved them over. “Come on, let’s get this over with.” Then he spoke out of the corner of his mouth. “Don’t let them smell your fear.”
Three teenagers burst out of the door, trying not to smile too big. You know, to appear cool and whatever. There was one guy and two girls. The first girl, who had blue hair and a nose ring, shoved her hands in her back pockets of her corduroy pants. “Hey,” she said.
Gunter made quick introductions. “Evie, Holly, and Max.”
“Hey guys,” I replied. “My name’s Winter. This is my store.”
“Winter,” Evie repeated, nodding approvingly. “Cool name.”
“I have thirteen years of school-yard trauma that would disagree, but thanks.”
Gunter chuckled, but then he gestured to the front window display. “What do you guys think of this?”
They all went to the window, and from the noises they made, I think they approved.
Aunt Ro stuck her head out the door, smiling brightly at them. “Hello!”
