He plopped down next to me and queued a video on his phone. “Watch one of these with me and I’ll leave. What do you want? Conspiracy, cooking, gaming…”
I smiled and wiped away a few more tears. If I picked cartoons, would he also be disgusted with me?
He hesitated and pulled back. “Am I making it worse?”
“No. A lot is, um, overwhelming," I said. "Thank you for helping me.” Maybe I couldn’t tell him everything. But at least I had someone who’d sit here without judgment until I stopped crying.
I didn't expect it to be Zack. That in itself was a miracle. Things were changing.
I curled around Mr. Waddles.
Yeah, things were changing.
16
Get in Line
I couldn’t spend any more time sulking at home, not when I had magic to make. So, I donned my uniform and went to work. I braced myself and said hello to Officer Holland on my way in. Would he call me in right away or wait 'til the end of my shift? He reciprocated the greeting with a smile, then sipped his coffee. The colorful cardboard sleeve around his cup had a snowflake on it. That had to be a good sign, even if it was from Harvey’s place of work. Maybe he wouldn't call me in at all. Maybe I was free to finish the season peacefully.
“Feeling better?” Chestnut asked.
“Absolutely.” No one had called me a freak yet.
It was fairly busy for a Monday since we were nearing Christmas. Further back in line, people were already complaining about someone trying to cut ahead.
A little boy tugged my skirt. “Excuse me, miss.”
“We don’t grab people,” his father reminded him.
I crouched down and smiled. “Hi, I’m Sugarplum. Are you excited to meet Santa?”
The kid gestured to a baby in a fuzzy red velvet outfit with white faux fur trim who was fussing in the stroller at his side. “My sister can't talk yet. How will Santa know what she wants for Christmas?”
I held my hands to my heart. “What a great question. Your sister is lucky to have a caring sibling like you looking after her.”
The little boy blushed and twisted himself up in his fancy button-down sleeves. “That's nice, but it's not as good as a gift.”
His parents laughed. Kids did have a funny way of viewing relationships. So did some people.
I smiled and shrugged. “I think it’s better. But to answer your question, Santa has a knack for knowing these things. Maybe the twinkle in his eye helps him see what we need.” I winked. “But no matter what, I assure you, he’s really good at listening. So be kind and go in with an open heart, okay? I’m sure he’ll see how much you want your sister to be happy.”
The boy nodded and held the edge of her stroller. His sister wiggled around to see him better, her fat cheeks rosy, her eyes just as twinkly as Santa’s should be. They’d have a great holiday. I was almost sure of it.
Chestnut ran up from the end of the line, practically crashing into me. “You will notbelieve–”
“Of course I’d believe.” I let out a nervous laugh. Those were dangerous words around here.
Hoynes wheeled around. “Chestnut, you’re supposed to be greeting guests. Are you being naughty?”
He rolled his eyes. “I have to tell Sugarplum something.”
“Well, what’s the emergency?” Hoynes poised his pen over his clipboard, his eyebrows raised and toes-a-tapping. This was definitely going to cost Chestnut Nice Points.
“I…ran out of candy canes. I need her help.” He circled my wrist with his hand and started tugging me towards the restock area.
“We don’t grab people,” the little kid recited.
His dad patted his shoulder. “Good job, buddy.”
