Chapter Five
Alex wound her way through the throngs of grumpy people, her toes jingling from the silver bells on their turned back tips. A couple stood in the middle of the crowd yelling at each other about whose gift was better for her parents. A small child melted down about a dropped cookie while her mother fiddled with her phone. A large man bumped into Alex while talking on speaker phone, completely oblivious to the people around him. The place was a madhouse.
And Santa’s workshop was even worse. Screaming kids climbed over fake snow and crawled on top of the Santa house. One kid delighted in smashing the “Out feeding reindeer” sign against a fake tree. A three-year-old was about to stick a candy cane up his nose. All while under the not-so-watchful eyes of exhausted, angry or defeated parents and sitters. One dad had even given up waiting patiently and was sacked out with both feet up while snoozing in Santa’s chair.
“Oh my gosh! What is going on here?” Alex strode ahead of Connor through the line into the workshop.
“Santa’s off arguing with the mall manager, and everyone with a demon spawn has decided they don’t give a flying—”
“Reindeer,” Alex cut the teenager off. “Is this your little brother?” Alex pointed at the candy cane nose picker.
“Yeah.” The teen shrugged. “I’m getting a lousy ten bucks to take the brat to visit Santa while my mom gets his present.”
Alex nodded and knelt down at the child’s level. “Hey, big boy. Would you like a new candy cane that’s even bigger?”
He nodded.
“I’ll trade you. Throw that yucky one in the trash behind you, and I’ll give you a new one from Santa’s workshop.”
After tossing it into the can, he held his chubby hands up and gave her a wide, toothy smile.
“Here you go.” Alex handed him the new one. “Ask your big sister to help you unwrap it, and don’t stick it in your nose. Candy only goes in your mouth, ’kay?”
Alex gave him a quick hug and walked toward Santa’s chair. “All right, everyone. Santa’s running a few minutes late, so we have time to get ready. Who wants to do Santa crafts and be an honorary elf while we’re waiting?”
A chorus of young cheers rose followed by approving murmurs from the caregivers.
“I’m good here. You go check in on our favorite couple,” Alex told Connor.
Of course Connor didn't leave right away. He stood in the back of the crowd while she easily dislodged kids from their climbing adventures. She even got the kid who was trying to hammer the sign into a million pieces to put it back up—in a better place of course. The only thing that stalled her progress was the zonked out man in Santa’s chair.
“Hey, Mister, up and at ’em. You’ve kept the seat warm, but now it’s time to let Santa have it.”
He cracked open an eye. “He’s not here yet, so bug off, elf.”
“He’ll be here soon, and unless you want kids with snot, germs and sticky fingers climbing all over you asking for gifts, I’d suggest you get on up. Please.” She gave him a bright smile.
“Make me,” he growled and flexed his biceps, leaning back further into the chair with a leer.
“I could.” She got down to his level and whispered so no one else could hear. “But if I have to kick you right in the jingle bells, throat punch you and throw you over my shoulder and flat onto your back, you’re going to break my favorite sign. And I’m going to have to press charges for loitering and disturbing the peace.”
His eyes widened. “What are you, a cop or a soldier?”
She shrugged. “An elf’s gotta have another gig when she’s not making toys. Candy cane?”
He shook his head and gave her a sheepish grin. “Sorry. I’m beat and I have no idea what to get my kid for Christmas.”
“That him?”
She shrugged her shoulder at the young boy who had until moments ago been trashing the Santa sign.
“Yeah.” The man sighed and got up. “Any ideas?”
“A Minecraft stop motion animation studio for making videos. They’re only thirty bucks on Amazon.”
His face went red and his eyes almost bugged out of his head. “That’s what he was talking about! I totally forgot. How’d you know that?”
“It’s in the job description.” She grinned. “And he’s wearing a Minecraft shirt, a Creeper hoodie, and ever since I told him to stop trying to ax the place, he started rebuilding. Check it out.”
The boy had laid down his ax and was now placing boxes on top of each other and asking other kids to pretend to be Endermen, Creepers and Ghasts.
“He’d probably love physically creating the videos.”
“Thank you so much.” The man leaned down and gave her a quick hug, yanking her off her feet as she squealed.
“Happy to help. Mind helping me get this crowd in order?”
“Anything for my new favorite elf.” He grinned. “All right, everybody, listen up. Santa’s running a bit late, but he’ll be here soon. If you want to do crafts, there are the tables. If you want to stay in line, go ahead. Single order, no shoving, no pushing. Got it?”
She gave Connor a thumbs up, and he shook his head and grinned before walking off. Yeah, she had this under control.
* * *
What do you mean, you’re kicking us out?” The high pitched voice sounded as Connor rounded the corner.
Noisy, angry people continued to bump into each other and argue on the other side of the mall, but the only thing Connor was interested in was the elderly couple talking with the mall manager.
“You’re lucky I’m not having you both arrested!” Dick Marlin’s bald head shone in the fluorescent lights. “I want you both out of here within the hour. Close up that bakery of yours. And you,” he turned to Kristopher, “just get out. You can come back and pick up your belongings after the stores close for the night.”
“It’s Christmas Eve!” Sophie wailed. “People need us.”
Connor inched closer as a crowd noticed the fight.
“People do not need what you are giving out, lady. And you’re damned lucky the cops aren’t here right now.”
“I was just trying to share the Christmas spirit.” Sophie's eyes shone with tears and Kristopher took her into his arms.
“You don’t have to be such a Scrooge. My wife meant well. She didn't mean to cause any trouble.” He hugged his wife closer. “We’ll leave.”
“No,” she wailed into his chest. “There’s still time to find some Christmas spirit.”
“No, Sophie darling, it’s over.” The older man gave her a tight hug then released her. “Christmas is gone. It’s time for us to go home.”
Connor didn’t know what to do. He could stick up for the delightful couple, but he didn't have any proof. And if he did come forward, Dick, who knew he was a cop, might force his hand. Make him arrest the pair. Crap. He wished Alex was there now. She’d know what to do.
“Wait!” A female voice called through the mall, and the large crowd that had gathered turned to see a frazzled woman tugging a young teenage boy behind her.
“What can I do for you, Mrs. Jones?” the mall manager asked her when they got to them.
“I was wrong. Matthew wasn’t high. None of the teens were. Look!” She shakily handed out the sheaf of papers. “This is everyone’s blood work. They’re all clean. The lab got back to me and said there was not a single drop of any substance in their systems. Nothing besides a bit of fat and sugars from the brownies and cookies.”
“I told you, Mom. It was Christmas cheer. I felt good for once.” The teenager smiled.
“My Matthew was kind of blue about his father’s and my divorce.” Her eyes shone with tears. “He just came home so happy that I assumed it was drugs.”
“Wait, you didn’t have any proof before you all called the sheriff?” Connor stepped forward making eye contact with her and Dick.
“No. Sheriff Burns was so busy with his new grandbaby, and with Deputy Sprague breaking his leg… I guess things got a little confusing,” Dick admitted.
“Well, it’s all here in black and white. This lovely couple did nothing wrong.” Mrs. Jones put her hands on her hips. “You can’t make them leave.”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Jones.” Dick wrinkled his nose. “But there’s just been too many distractions, and my patrons need to be able to shop in peace.”
“But what about Christmas spirit?”
He snorted. “There is no Christmas spirit, lady. Have you looked around you?”
“But—”
“I’m sorry, but clean records or not, these people need to leave so everyone can get back to spending their money like Christmas is all about.” He turned and pointed at the crowd around them. “The bakery is now closed, folks. Feel free to go to the food court, and then go check out the sales at—”
The sound of bells interrupted what he was about to say. He looked toward the other end as the gaggle of children and parents rounded the curve. They were led by Alex, jingling from head to toe as she walked
“You better not shout!” the beautiful elf sang out as loud as she could.
The kids followed her lead, bright eyes shining as they sang at the top of their lungs about the man who knew their sleeping patterns and how they reacted to emotions.
“Who’s coming to town?” Alex yelled into the crowd.
“Santa Claus…” the crowd all sang as one. The voices built and built higher and louder until everyone was singing and clapping, and cheering on the plump older man in the red fuzzy suit.
The rest of the mall erupted into voice as they wished each other a Merry Christmas for as many verses as they could. Each one louder, as more people came to the bakery.
Hundreds of children and siblings, parents, shoppers, even the teens and grumpy guys in business suits. They all turned off their phones to join in the joyful celebration.
Santa, Sophie, Connor, the young teen and his mother… they were surrounded by smiling faces, glistening eyes and joyful voices. All one unified voice announcing that Christmas wasn’t dead. The spirit still lived in each and every one of them.
Connor felt tears sting the back of his eyes and quickly rubbed them away. He snuck a glance at Kristopher— the man was visibly crying, his belly shaking with tears and laughter as he held his wife. Ah hell, a few tears weren't going to hurt anything. Connor let the joy and beauty wash over him.
“Christmas isn’t about the perfect gift or looking good at a business party,” Alex proclaimed when the last note had been sung. “It’s about being close to the people we love, honoring those we’ve lost, and accepting what makes us special. Right, boss?”
Kristopher hugged his wife tightly and beamed at Alex. “You are wise beyond your years, my favorite elf. “Merry Christmas to you all. May it be holly and jolly, and may you find peace in your hearts. Thank you all so much!”
“We want Santa! We want Santa!” Alex started the chant and it built quickly. The thunderous voices even hurt Connor’s ears and he had to plug them.
“Okay!” Dick called out and quieted everyone. “You and your wife may stay. But please get these people shopping again.” He looked wide-eyed at the crowd surrounding them.
“Ho ho ho! Absolutely! But first… Children of all ages, one to ninety-nine, come visit me at the workshop behind the food court. Thank you!”
A loud cheer erupted and the crowd sang as he kissed Sophie and then headed down the hall. “Come on, elf Alex! We have some work to do!”
Connor grinned as Alex skipped behind Santa, waving to all the children who had followed her over. His fiancée was a super hero. No, a super elf.