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“Right. I wanted to make sure you didn’t mention to the other children that this wasn’t the real Santa. It will be our secret.”
“Okay,” Ricky agreed. Like he had before, he moved his finger across his lips, letting her know he wouldn’t tell. “I’ll play along because I know I’m going to meet the real Santa soon.”
Sage silently thanked Ethan.
When they arrived in the building’s lobby, Sage found several of her neighbors drinking a glass of Christmas cheer. She noticed several eyeing her and putting their heads together and whispering. At any other time she might have assumed it had to do with the noise level in the lobby where everyone had gathered. But because of recent events, she felt it more likely had to do with the smoke alarm that evacuated the building. It would take time for her to live down that unfortunate episode.
Right afterward, Sage had a notice sent through the HOA apologizing; however, it appeared some of the condo residents were more forgiving than others.
The children, most of whom were younger than Ricky, stayed close to their parents’ sides. A few toddlers waddled toward the Christmas tree. It was hard to hold any conversation as everyone was talking at once, their voices echoing off the twelve-foot ceiling.
The lobby was beautifully decorated with a large Christmas tree in one corner—a department store one, as Ricky would call it. The windows facing the street were adorned with large silver ribbons of varying lengths, with blue glass balls at the bottom of each ribbon. A little of the morning snow remained on the side of the street.
Sage led Ricky to the cookie display and smiled when she felt him tug at her until she bent down so he could whisper in her ear.
“These are all store-bought cookies, aren’t they?”
“It looks that way.”
“Homemade ones are much better-tasting than ones from the bakery.”
“You don’t need to eat one if you don’t want to,” she told him.
He looked at her like she was kidding. “I’m not that picky,” he said, as he filled his plate with frosted gingerbread men.
While they munched on the cookies and drank the cocoa, Sage exchanged greetings with the doorman, who had been invited to attend the party with his own grandchildren. Steve introduced each one proudly.
After only a few minutes, Sage heard the tinkle of bells in the distance, followed by a loud “Ho. Ho. Ho.”
Santa had arrived. Ricky did a good job of pretending to be as excited as the other children were. When she smiled at him approvingly, he winked at her.
Santa held court, greeting each of the children one by one, letting them sit on his lap. Ricky patiently waited his turn.
“Have you been a good boy?” Santa asked Ricky.
“I think so. But I feel bad about my auntie Sage’s shoes.”
Santa looked stumped. “What happened to your aunt’s shoes?”
Ricky didn’t hesitate. “They melted in the oven because she forgot to take them out and I wanted to bake cookies.” He paused and lowered his voice. Cupping his mouth, Ricky leaned forward and whispered, “The cookies were for the real Santa.”
Playing along, Santa said, “I believe we can look past that one unfortunate incident.”
“Despite my flaws, Ricky has been the best boy ever,” Sage assured Santa.
“I thought as much,” Santa said, loud enough for all the room to hear, his voice echoing around the lobby. “I have the names of all the good boys and girls, and Ricky’s name is right at the top of that list.”
He handed Ricky a candy cane and a small wrapped gift from the pile. Ricky joined Sage again when it was another child’s turn.
“Can I open it?” he asked.
“Go for it,” she said. Sage knew a certain monetary amount had been set aside from the condo fees for the party and for a present for each child. From what she’d read in a recent email from the HOA, all the gifts would be generic.
Ricky tore away the paper and smiled when he saw he’d gotten a puzzle of two puppies in a wicker basket with a large red bow tied on the handle. “I like puzzles,” he said, and seemed genuinely pleased. “It doesn’t look that hard, either. Can I put it together this afternoon on the kitchen table?”
“Do you want any help?” she asked.
Ricky scrutinized the picture. “I got this,” he assured her.
