Page 19 of Polar Prank
“Okay, let me hear it.”
12
ICLYN
I calledin sick every day this week. I wasn’t sick in the traditional sense, but now it’s Friday and I have to go to the shelter to run the Christmas party and I might run into him. Everyone’s dropped off their gifts at the office and Jenna has them bringing them to the event. I can’t even step foot in the office.
I’m scared to. I’m scared to learn the truth. I’m scared to find out that it was all a fairy tale and my heart needs to get over losing someone… again.
The kids are playing the games we rented and feasting on cookies and hot chocolate when the front door opens and a big “Ho, ho, ho!” resounds through the room.
I continue to add presents to the tree that’s set up by Santa’s chair. It seems there’s two presents for each name.
Yes, there is. That’s weird, I only asked for one.
I have a list for Santa to read names from. A scroll I created during the night when I couldn’t sleep.
Jenna leans down. “You okay?”
“Yeah. I’m fine.”
“You ready to start making some smiles on these faces?”
I stand up. That is the part I like the most.
“Absolutely.”
“You know, there were a bunch of snowflake balloons and decorating stuff in Brinker’s office… was that your stuff?”
“No.” I still. “Like mylar snowflakes?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s weird. I was going to pull a prank on everyone and fill the breakroom with mylar snowflakes.”
She smiles. “That sounds like you.”
“Doesn’t matter now. I’ll need to talk to you about putting in my two weeks. I can’t work where he… well, there anymore.”
“I understand. Let’s talk next week.”
I nod and my heart feels like a weight in my chest. I can’t imagine not coming into work each morning, but I have been looking at the non-profits in the area and there are possibilities.
Santa takes his spot and I hand over the list of names. “This is the list and I’ve arranged the gifts in that order.”
He nods, settling into the room with his head down.
I quiet the room and the kids take a place on the cushions in front of Santa. Many of them can hardly contain their excitement, bouncing on their haunches like they’ll lift off like a rocket at any moment. And it makes me smile for the first time in days.
“Hello everyone. Welcome to your Christmas party!”
The kids cheer.
“I know you’ve been waiting for this, so let’s have you each come up to Santa and tell him what you want and then maybe… just maybe you’ll get a something fun!”
They dance around on their cushions.
And I smile again.
