“Well, uh–”
“You also left right at the start of your shift without telling anybody.”
I jerked my thumb at my former post. “You didn’t hear me? I had a family…not really an emergency. More like damage control that needed handling.”
He sighed. “We need holly jolly, okay? Not dipsy…lipsy.”
A nervous laugh escaped me. “You really committed to the rhyme.”
“Sugarplum,” he said in his sternest tone.
I held my hands behind my back and nodded. “No running off. No talking back.”
“I know you want that Nice bonus, so don’t go naughty in the last week.” He wagged his finger at me.
“I won’t.” The heat of shame flooded my cheeks as I hurried to my station. I was so good, usually. And I needed that bonus money. No more playing around. I had to finish strong this week.
I entertained the guests for a bit, talking about holiday plans and traditions to get my mind off home and fulfill my job duties.
A semi familiar bright-eyed kid walked up to me. “Hey, did you get to feed Dasher today?”
“Not yet. He’s training for the big day, so he’s been eating a lot lately," I said, my smile tight.
“What else does he eat besides carrot cake?”
Oh, this kid was from The Bern, when I made my first order and had to stay in character.
I had to memorize some reindeer facts for the job, so I was able to spout off an actual answer involving hay and graham crackers. “Are you here to see Santa again?” I asked.
“No, but I wanted to say hi. Hi.” He waved.
I laughed and waved back. “Thank you for stopping by. Maybe you can leave a carrot out with Santa’s cookies if you’d like to give the reindeer a treat.”
His eyes widened. “Great idea. Mom, we need to go grocery shopping.”
His mother smiled at me. “You’re good at this. Do you do parties?”
I gestured to a posted sign. “Right now, we’re only here during holiday mall hours.”
“No, I mean you specifically. Do you do character visits for kids’ parties? You know, princesses, superheroes, fairies." She raised her eyebrows as if she could easily picture it. Possible costumes and playdates of days past danced through my head.
“Not…during Christmas," was the only reply I had. "I have to stay in uniform.” I showed off my curved-toed shoes in a playful pose, trying to stay in character.
The mother chuckled. “I have lots of friends who’d hire you. We’re on the local parent groups, if you're interested in seeing rates for that kind of thing.”
“Oh, okay, thanks.” I wasn’t sure how in-demand an amateur princess would be, but I did like the idea of going to a party for money.
The mother tapped her son’s arm. “Say goodbye, Joshie.”
The kid and I waved at one another.
A ways down the line, Joon tugged on the line dividers. “Shell–um, shug…”
I walked over. “What is it, bud?”
“Can you play with us?”
“Of course." I patted his head. "Thank you for asking so nicely. I might have to play with others or go help Santa, though, okay?”
