As I look at Prophet, I see that he has some ranch dressing in his beard, and I can’t help but giggle, even though I’m scared that Marnie and Ash are going to get mad and either yell at me or hit me. I might just be a little girl, but I know what happens when I do something my aunt says is stupid. I hope they won’t make me go back to Mrs. Talbot. I mean, she’s very nice, but Ash is my daddy’s brother. I don’t remember them at all, but I dream about them sometimes, and it makes me not be so scared.
“There you go,” Prophet whispers as he finishes wiping off my face. “Just as good as new. Now, what do you want Santa Claus to bring you this year?” he asks.
I’ve seen movies with a man who wears a red suit, but I don’t think he’s real, because I’ve never seen a tree with a lot of presents. The only time I’ve gotten those was from Mrs. Talbot, who got me some new clothes and a few books for my birthday, since I came to live with her then. She even made me a birthday cake, which was very good.
“He’s just make believe,” I reply. “He’s never visited me before,” I continue, “but I’ve seen him in movies.”
“Oh, honey,” he says, his hand over his heart. “Can I tell you something? It’s kind of a secret, but I think you’re a big enough girl to understand.”
I nod because Iama big girl now. I might only be in kindergarten, but I know things.
“A very long time ago, there was a man named Saint Nicholas, who secretly went around where he lived, giving out presents and gifts to those around him. He was very generous and kind, and made the lives of those he helped better,” Prophet says. “From that legend, Santa Claus evolved. Now, I know you’re old enough to know that people don’t live for hundreds and hundreds of years, right?” At my nod, he says, “So, while the real-life Santa Claus, or Saint Nick as he’s sometimes called, is long gone, the spirit of what he did lives on, and on Christmas Day, children who are good will find gifts under the tree from him.”
“Really?” I ask. “But one of the kids at school said he wasn’t real.”
“So, he’s notalivebut he was definitely a real person,” Prophet explains. “Nowadays, he has helpers, which is why, if you go shopping with Marnie, you might see him in a lot of different places. All of them that you see are his helpers, you know what those are, right?” I nod again, eager to hear about this Santa Claus person. “Okay, well, they pass on whatever you tell him, and if you’re a good little girl, you might find it under the tree. What kind of things do you like?”
I think about what he asks and how I never really had a lot of toys before I went to live with Mrs. Talbot. I’ve seen a lot of things on tv that look like fun, including something called a Barbie doll, although they’re not all the same, which is confusing. She has a huge house, plus she has a camper. I don’t know what camping is, either, but the commercial made it seem like it would be fun. Mrs. Talbot was teaching me how to make friendship bracelets, too, so I like to do those.
“I like Frog and Toad,” I admit. “Plus, I saw a commercial for Barbie dolls. Those look like they’d be fun to play with. Do you think Mina has any of those?” I ask.
“Oh, honey, tomorrow when we go to Grammy’s to eat, I’ll see if Holly will let me take you over to their house so you can see their playroom,” Marnie promises.
I know what a promise is because Mrs. Jackson and Mrs. Talbot told me. Plus, Miss Anne taught me that when we make one, we should always keep it, so we don’t hurt someone else’s feelings.
“Okay,” I reply, excited to see this room that’s in Mina’s house.
“Marnie, I think we need to have a gingerbread house contest,” Prophet says, looking at Marnie.
She claps her hands and squeals. “Oh, that sounds like a lot of fun! I wonder if we can add some kits onto the order I placed!” I watch her pick up her phone and she’s laughing as she presses a bunch of buttons before saying, “Done! We’ll bring them tomorrow to give the girls something to do before we eat.”
I suddenly remember my manners, the ones that Mrs. Talbot taught me and reach out to tug on Prophet’s sleeve so he’s looking at me. “Thank you for cleaning me up,” I tell him.
He reaches out and tugs the end of my braid that Marnie put in my hair this morning and says, “Any time, honey. Any time.” Then he gets up and heads back to where he was sitting, and he starts eating again.
“How about we finish eating so we can get a bath?” Marnie suggests. “Because I happen to know that there’s a movie coming on tonight calledSanta Claus Is Coming To Town.”
I look at my plate and rub my tummy. “I’m… I’m kind of full,” I finally admit.
“You still ate plenty, sweetie,” she replies. “Let’s leave this for the prospects to clean up so you can get your bath, how about that?”
I’m tucked into my new bed, the small princess nightlight giving me just enough light that I can see the ceiling over my head. “Dear God, my name is Becca, and I think I’m going to be okay now. Thank you for watching out for me. Amen.”
CHAPTER
TEN
Marnie
“We need to make sure not to overwhelm her,” I say as Ash and I step into the shower together. Becca loved the movie and peppered both of us with so many questions it wasn’t funny. At least now, she understands the excitement surrounding the holiday season.
“I agree,” he replies, turning me around so he can wet my hair. As I stand there underneath the warm water, he starts working my shampoo into my hair, his strong fingers causing me to moan.
“What do you think about trying to simplify things?” I ask, desire now coursing through my body.
“Babe, you know the brothers will be spoiling the shit out of her,” he says. “Lean back and let me rinse this out.”
I do what he says, my nipples pebbling at his touch. Ever since I pushed the issue with him, we’ve been enjoying an extremely healthy sex life. It’s a little bit quieter now since we have Becca,but he’s assured me that our bedroom at the house will be adequately soundproofed since I sometimes get a little bit loud. He works some conditioner into my hair then turns me around so we’re facing each other.
