Page 6 of Merry Mayhem
She shrugs. “Oh, it’s okay. It wasn’t really a break-up. I just don’t know what I’m going to do about Merry Mayhem.”
I study her. She really doesn’t look sad. She no longer looks like she wants blood either. She’s put down the knife.
“Merry Mayhem?” I ask.
“It’s our town…” She hesitates.
“Festival?” I ask. “I heard some people talking about getting food booths and displays set up.”
She grins. “Festival is such a nice, normal word for it.”
I arch my brows.
“It is kind of a festival,” she says. “There are displays and booths for people to buy food, gifts, and things while they watch the competition.” Her face and voice have both brightened.
“Competition?” I ask.
“Oh yes,” she leans in, clearly excited. “It’s a three-day-long event. All kinds of things happen. Each day is something different. There’s an obstacle course, a relay race, and a scavenger hunt.” Her eyes are practically sparkling now. “So much!”
“Sounds interesting,” I admit.
“Beats watchinganotherChristmas pageant like other towns do,” she agrees. “Or just sitting around with nothing to do.”
I chuckle. “So, is there a money prize or something?”
“Well, there’s a statue, but it comes with something evenbetterthan money,” she says.
“What’s that?”
“Bragging rights.”
I laugh. “Seriously? That’s it?”
Her eyes widen, and she straightens. “Around here? That’s everything. We take our competitions and victoriesveryseriously.”
“Well, I’m sorry your boyfriend is going to miss it.”
She frowns, then her gaze drops to her phone, and the frown eases. “Oh, him.” She sighs. She looks side to side, then asks, “Can I tell you something?”
“Sure.”
“He wasn’t my boyfriend.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah.” She sighs. “Want the whole story?”
“Definitely.” I find that I mean that.
“Okay, this is the fifth year for Merry Mayhem. My cousin Nora came up with it when she took over as the director of the Parks and Recreation department. And my boyfriend Sam and I have won the pastfouryears.”
My brows climb. “Wow. No kidding?”
“Seriously. We were unbeatable. But…” She swallows. “Sam broke things off with me just before Valentine’s Day this year. Right before our fifth anniversary.”
“Damn.”
“Yeah. I was devastated. And now…” She’s running her finger along the edge of the paper placemat in front of me. “He’s coming home for Christmas with his new girlfriend, and they’re going to be partners for Merry Mayhem.”
