“Yeah.”
“In reindeer shifter territory.” Her eyes closed. “It was bound to happen. Wanting to be with your own kind. You never said anything.”
“It’s not about that. Mom, I’m going to be doing math. Lots of math. That’s why I wanted the job. Not because of who works there.”
“Do they know you can’t fly?”
That question hit like a rock had been thrown at my chest. “No. I mean, yes, my new boss knows. I told him. By the way, he’s an elf.”
Her eyes flashed open. She was angry. Or hurt. Maybe both.
“Most elves don’t get that opportunity over there.”
“Well, he has. He’s in charge. His name is Keir and he wants me to start on Monday.”
“Monday? That gives me very little notice to fill your position.” Lashing out. It was her go-to response when she knew she was losing control.
I loved Mom a lot. She raised us well, all alone, since her husband had died before she’d found me. She made an excellent manager. Her penchant to organize and control insured that. It also meant us kids sometimes had to rebel a little into our independence.
“I’m sorry for that,” I said. “I hope you can understand how important this is to me.”
She crossed her arms over her chest, glancing about the room in a way that let me know she couldn’t find her words.
“Are you the least bit happy for me?” I asked.
“Of course, I am, kiddo.” She swallowed hard. “It's a little far to go every day.” We lived on the far east side of the Village. “Does this mean you'll also be moving out?”
“Not at this time.”
Santa’s Sleigh was on the west side of the village. I'd have to catch the underground tram pretty early every morning five days a week. It was forty minutes one way. But that was not a deterrent for me. I would have endured an even longer trip to work with this team every day in the subject I was most talented in.
“Well, what else can I say? I do hope you'll fit in well there with the other reindeer shifters.”
“And my elf boss,” I added.
“Which elf is that again? There aren't many on that team.”
“I didn't know there were any until today. His name is Keir.”
“And he's in charge over there?”
“Santa's number one.”
“Hmm. We'll certainly miss you here. I guess if this is your last day you should pack up your things. I'll see you at home tonight?”
“Yes.”
“All right, then.”
I didn't have much at my workstation to take home. Most of the tools in my drawer belonged to the workshop. I grabbed a small box and place the items I wanted inside. My spare pair of reading glasses. An old bottle of Tylenol which I rarely used and kept only when I had double shifts and the muscle aches would set in. The blue spiral notebook where I scribbled equations, and a couple of pens. That was it.
I had a few friends who worked next to me and said my goodbyes to them. Unlike Mom, they were excited for me. Hugging me. Sending me off with a lot of “good lucks” and “go get ‘ems.” Anyone who knew me understood my passion to work in the field of math. Maybe they thought it was weird, but I also felt admiration from them.
When I got home, I opened my laptop and began to work. Just because I'd gotten a new job didn't mean my classes stopped. I intended to keep up even if it meant later nights.
Mom always worked late. Only two of my siblings still lived at home. The rest had found mates and moved out to start their own families. Still, hard workers on Friday night would be hungry when they arrived. I took a break and started my preparations for a spaghetti dinner. I didn't know if they would want to celebrate, but I did. Spaghetti was my favorite meal.
My choice was made.
