Page 1 of Jingl
Chapter 1
Shae
The sparkling green envelope stands out amidst the mundane pile of mail cluttering the kitchen table. My heart quickens as I snatch it up and press it against my chest. It’s Trace’s weekly letter, a tradition we’ve faithfully kept since we were fourteen. Eight years later, and I still eagerly anticipate the moments when I can savor his words.
Early morning light shines through the kitchen window, causing the dust in the air to glow like little bits of magic. There’s a slight chill, but it’s not uncomfortable. Every step I take makes a faint jingle because of the bells I threaded through my shoelaces.
“That you, Shae?” Mom calls from the hallway.
“Just heading out.” I slide the letter into a pocket in my messenger bag to keep it safe.
Mom comes around the corner. Her graying blond hair is pulled into a high ponytail. She’s wearing pink mermaid leggings and a loose t-shirt. “Awe! Cute outfit.”
I glance down at myself, a mismatched ensemble of green shorts from last Christmas’s elf costume paired with red tights, and a matching green t-shirt. A hint of shimmer on my cheeks and traces of glitter in my hair complete the look. Today, I skip the hat, knowing it’ll get uncomfortably warm while setting up Santa’s Village at Frostdale mall. “I’ve done better,” I reply with a shrug.
She gives me one of those mom looks that says ‘take the compliment, kid’ as she grabs a water bottle from the counter. “Going to my Pure Barre class this morning. Need anything before I head home?”
“I’m good. Busy day so don’t wait up for me. I have the concert audition and we’re working on the Santa’s Village set at the mall.”
Mom nods. “Don’t overwork yourself, sweetie.” She swipes her hand through my bangs to shift the hair from my eyes.
“I’m okay. Promise.”
She cocks a perfectly plucked brow. “That’s what you said last year, and by the end of Christmas, you passed out for three days. Can’t have that again.” She narrows her eyes at me. “You have to learn to say no, kiddo.”
“I know. And this year I’m not doing every shift at the mall.” Learned my lesson the hard way. The last several years I took on too much, but this year is different.
Mom sighs and leans into the counter. “But you’re still doing all the interviews and making all the costumesandhelping put Santa’s Village itself together. You could be the lead pianist for the Christmas concert. Shae—”
“Speaking of…” I glance at the microwave clock. “I do need to head out.”
“Promise you’ll eat sometime today. And drink water.” Mom wiggles her bottle.
“Right! Thanks for the reminder.” I spin and grab the lunch I packed the night before from the fridge and load three water bottles into my messenger bag.
“Shae,” Mom sighs out my name, her voice tinged with affection. “Just don’t push yourself too much. You’re twenty-two. Live a little. Go party with friends. Stop…” She plays with my hair again.
I know what she’s going to say. Stop waiting on Trace. But I’mnotwaiting on Trace.
“I do live.” I give her the brightest smile. “You just don’t understand what I find fun.” We both snort laugh.
“That I do not. But ifyou’rehappy,I’mhappy.” She rummages around in the cabinet above her and pulls out two granola bars, then hands me one.
“Thanks. I’ll eat it on my way.” I drop a kiss to her cheek. “See ya tonight, maybe? Or maybe I’ll shock you and go out drinking.”
She presses her hands together as if to pray. “Oh, please do. Call me and I’ll pick you up, any time anywhere.”
I snort again. “I know. And thank you for that.” I rip the granola bar wrapper open and take a bite. Bits of oat tumble down my chest before I catch them, then stuff them in my mouth. “Later!”
When I leave, the screen door tries to slam back, but I catch it before it does and gently set it back against the frame. I wave on the way to my car. My shoes make soft jingle noises against the sound of our gravel driveway.
Today I have to juggle the concert audition and my work at Santa’s Village. Totally doable. And normally I’d wear a suit to look more presentable for the audition, but during holiday season, I never get caught at Frostdale Mall unless I’m donning one of my elf costumes, even a simple one like today. With my tight schedule, showing up to the audition in costume just makes life easier and everyone understands my dedication to the season.
Once the calendar hits October, magic sparks across the world. At least that’s how I feel about it. We get Halloween, where it’s fun and spooky to dress up and be someone or something else for a night. Then the power of gratitude with Thanksgiving. And finally, the best of them all is Christmas. I spend the entire year planning the elf costumes. The moment I step into the mall dressed as an elf, I cease to be Shae. Jingle takes over and doesn’t relinquish control until I leave mall property. It’s as if I’m possessed by the spirit of Christmas cheer, and there’s no better feeling in the world.
I make sure my bag is secured and lean my lunch against it. Hopefully, there’s time to read Trace’s letter before the audition.
Frostdale isn’t a big city and it usually only takes me about ten minutes to get anywhere. When I pull up to the old theater for the audition, no one else is here yet, so I grab Trace’s letter from my bag.
