I tsked and nudged him off the planter. “That’s not what Christmas spirit is about. Although it would be nice to spend time with loved ones.”
The crowd parted, revealing a familiar silhouette of a woman in a long, black coat walking briskly. She scanned the shops and turned to talk to someone. Was that my mother? The figures behind her came into focus: Zack and Aunt Coral herding the little cousins.
My family came. But they weren’t hunting me or Harvey. Maybe they actually wanted to support us.
I smiled and waved them over. “Welcome to the winter wonderland. Would you like to meet Santa?”
Zack paled and pushed Joon in front of him. “No.”
I chuckled. It was still nice of him to come. “You can stand on the other side of the sleigh, if that makes you feel better."
Joon reached for me, then hesitated. “Um, can we call you Shelby when no one else is around?”
I patted his head. “Not yet. I’m Sugarplum until 5 PM. Good job for remembering and asking about it, Joon.”
Chestnut quirked a brow. “You know them?”
“My cousins, they’re famous. Santa marked them on the nice list.” I was sure the moment Aunt Coral opened her mouth, Hoynes would have flashbacks. “I can take you up if you’d like to say hello to the big man in red.”
Zack stepped back. “You go ahead. I’ll wait here.”
“Are you afraid of Santa?” Chestnut mocked, so judgmental.
“No. I don’t like anyone who isn’t wearing their normal face. You can’t tell me that guy actually has a white beard." Zack crossed his arms and glowered.
“Frosty does.” I said. “I wish you could’ve met him.”
“The snowman?” he balked.
Laughing, I ushered them in. “Never mind, it’s an inside joke. Thanks for braving the holiday crowd for this.”
“It was better than shoveling again,” he grumbled.
Mom gestured to the signed exchange between Santa and the hard of hearing child. “Does this happen often?”
I nodded and clasped my hands behind my back. “More than you might think.”
“That’s…lovely.” Mom smoothed her coat and craned her neck. “Beautiful ornaments. The snow is obviously fake, though.”
I giggled. “Too glittery for you?”
She nodded stiffly. “Sorry.”
I shrugged. It wasn't for everybody. I smiled at my little cousins, “Do you like it here?”
“Yes. I want that tree.” Joon pointed.
“Me too. I’m not tall enough to put something on the top, though.” I demonstrated, stretching on my tippy-toes.
“If Harvey held you…” My littlest cousin kept one hand on her mother and reached up. “High, like me.”
The aunts and my mom chuckled.
I propped my hands on my hips. “You know what? You’re right. I probably could reach for the stars with Harvey. Or if I rode a reindeer.”
My little cousins gasped.
“Really? Would they come to our house?” Joon asked.
