"These are cool." I flipped one over, and it was heavy and expensive.
Ayla winced. "I'll ask Santa for one."
"That's a good idea." I made a note to stop by and get one for her. It would be the perfect present.
Angela joined us, holding the empty boxes. "I'm all done. What are you looking at?"
"The snow globes." I gestured at the shelf. One was Santa in a lantern, and one was Santa on a tractor. There were a few more traditional ones, and all of them were mesmerizing.
"These are neat. How much are they?" She moved to flip one over and winced. "Yikes."
I nodded. "Yeah, they're pricey."
"I'll ask Santa for one. I bet he makes these in his workshop," Ayla said.
"Good idea," Angela said, but her voice was tight.
I wondered if she was worried about the cost of presents with her shop closed or if it was a concern for her in general.
Ayla pointed at one with Santa in a little workshop surrounded by toys. "I like that one."
"You can ask Santa for it. But remember, he doesn't gift everything you want."
"I know," Ayla said as if she'd heard this line a lot.
Wanting to distract Ayla from the snow globes, I asked, "You want to get some hot chocolate? I think I saw the truck out front."
Ayla looked at Angela. "Can I, Mom?"
"If you don't mind waiting a minute, I want to talk to Belle before I leave."
"I'll take her," I offered.
"Are you sure?" Angela asked and, at my nod, started to root through her purse, presumably for cash.
I held up a hand. "I got it."
Before Angela could protest, I took Ayla's hand and asked, "Do you want marshmallows?"
"Duh," she said as she skipped alongside me.
It felt good to hold her hand. It made me wonder what it would feel like to be a dad. Kids needed boundaries and limits, but they were generally happy, seeing the joy in most situations. And I enjoyed spending time with Ayla.
Having kids was not something I'd thought much about until I'd met Angela.
Outside, we got in line with the others waiting to get hot chocolate.
It was cold but sunny.
When we got to the front of the line, I ordered three hot chocolates with marshmallows, assuming Angela wouldn't say no to a sweet treat.
I paid and stepped to the side of the truck with our to-go cups when Angela came outside, zipping her jacket. When she lifted her head, she saw us waiting for her. "You got me one?"
I handed her one. "Of course."
She held it between her hands. "Thank you."
I wondered if she wasn't used to people doing things for her. How long had she been divorced from her ex? How long had she been on her own? "Do your parents live around here?"
