by Alex Bailey
“Oh Santa, I am having a great time! Thank you so much for my Christmas wish. My family will all be here together tonight.”
“You’re welcome, Ariel,” Santa said.
His back was turned so Sophie couldn’t see his face.
“I’m glad I could help. And I’m especially glad you’re enjoying your trip with your aunt.”
A woman with a stroller blocking Sophie’s path was just about to move, when Ariel asked, “Would it be rude to ask for one more gift? I know you’ve given me so much already. But this one isn’t exactly for me. It’s for my Aunt Sophie.”
Sophie stopped. Do I really want to hear this? She turned...then changed her mind. Yes, I need to know what Ariel wants for me.
“Of course, Ariel. Christmas wishes aren’t just for ourselves. In fact, the best Christmas wishes are those we make for others. So, what’ll it be? Think she might like a nice new handbag or how about a good book?”
Another stroller zoomed in to fill the space between Sophie and Ariel. How in the world did Santa come up with my two favorite things—books and handbags, especially handbags large enough to hold books!
“She likes both of those things. But that’s not what I wanted to ask you. She’s been kind of lonely since my mom died.”
“I see,” Santa said. “Are you asking for a puppy?”
Ariel giggled. “Not exactly. But I would love one! It’s just that her boyfriend is so boring. He never does anything fun with her. She needs someone fun in her life. Someone like Ray!”
Sophie couldn’t stand another minute. If the stroller didn’t move immediately, she would climb over it to get Ariel. She was furious that Ariel was telling a stranger about her love life.
“I’m sorry, Ariel. That’s one wish I can’t grant. Only your aunt can make that decision for herself. I’ve done all I can to help the situation, but it’s up to those two now.”
The minute the stroller moved, Sophie lunged toward Ariel and grabbed her hand. “Arie! What are you doing? You should have come straight to me when you were done with the restroom!”
“I’m sorry, Aunt Sophie,” Santa said. “It was my fault. I needed to have a little chat with Ariel.” He winked and smiled. His grin was missing a few teeth.
Sophie shook her head. The man in the Santa Claus suit seemed familiar, but she couldn’t place him and was sure she had seen his light golden eyes and red and green-striped cane before.
“Please don’t be mad.” Ariel dropped Sophie’s hand. “I’m sorry. I just really needed to talk to Santa.”
“Come on.” Sophie clamped her jaw shut because she didn’t want to say anything she would regret. Having Ariel disobey her orders of talking to another stranger, had really gotten to Sophie. “Ray’s waiting for us where you should have been!”
Ariel hugged Santa and said, “Thanks for trying.”
“Now, now, Ariel. You never know what Christmas magic will bring.” When he smiled again, Sophie felt she definitely had seen him somewhere before.
Handing Figment back to Ariel, Sophie took hold of her niece’s hand again and marched her back to Ray.
“That’s odd,” Ray said, “I’ve never seen Santa here before. He’s usually at the American pavilion.
Ariel’s mouth fell wide open and she gave him an outraged look. “That’s because he’s the real Santa. Not a fake one in a Santa suit.”
Chapter 13
When they’d made their way around the world showcase, visiting each country and tasting many snacks along the way, Ray asked what they’d like to do next.
Sophie glanced down at her black and white floral-print sundress and shoving her hands into the pockets, swished it back and forth in front of her. She glanced at Ariel’s gold outfit with the Figment design on the front of her T-shirt and Ray’s Viking shirt with the words, Maelstrom: Never Forget, a nod to the Norway ride being replaced by the Frozen ride. Remembering Hyun’s words, she made no disparaging facial expression, and said, “You know, if we’re going to have Christmas dinner at the California Grill, we need a wardrobe update. We hadn’t planned on going anywhere as fancy as that and didn’t pack anything appropriate to wear.”
“So, what you’re saying is, you need a fairy godmother?” Ray winked at Ariel.
“Exactly!” Sophie nodded.
“I know where fairy godmothers live,” Ray said. “Pretty close. We can get there on the bus.”
“Downtown Disney?” Sophie gave him a look that said, See, I do know some things about Disney.
“You mean Disney Springs,” Ray’s look deflated her momentary victory. He looked down at the pavement, then off in the distance, and then smiled. “They changed the name a few years ago.”
“Oh I love shopping there!” Ariel cheered in a high-pitch squeal.
“Then Downtown Disney it is!” Sophie may have been corrected, but she wasn’t going to let that stop her from remembering the place as she remembered it.
Ray’s smile didn’t wane. He shook his head and said, “This way to Downtown Disney,” and led them to the park exit.
WHEN THEY STEPPED ONTO the bus headed to Disney Springs, Ariel and Sophie took seats toward the middle of the bus and Ray stood in front of them. A young man with a stroller sat next to Sophie. He was handed a sleeping baby by a young woman who sat next to him.
Sophie smiled at the sleeping baby with its head of short black hair.
“Just catching a little nap. Been a long day,” the man said to Sophie.
“Apparently. But a good one, I hope.”
“Absolutely! Henry got to see Santa for the first time.”
“Sat on his lap without even crying,” the young woman said. “Everyone told us to brace for a wail. But when we sat him on Santa’s lap, he smiled the biggest smile we’ve seen yet!”
Sophie recalled the first time Ariel sat on Santa’s lap. She had gone with Natalie and Rick to a mall Santa. Ariel had most definitely not smiled the biggest smile they’d ever seen. She was completely opposite. She wailed.
Sophie snapped back to the present when riders crowded around them. And when a pregnant woman approached, Sophie gave up her seat and stood next to Ray.
And then a familiar elderly gentleman with a red and green-striped cane shuffled toward them. Ariel jumped out of her seat and waved him into her vacated spot. “S—Mr. Jeffries, here! You can have my seat!”
“Why thank you, Ariel. Mighty kind of you.”
“Aunt Sophie,” Ariel said, “You remember Mr. Jeffries, right?”
“Yes, from the airport.” Sophie felt a tinge of guilt, because she had tried to maneuver Ariel away from him when they last met. She smiled broadly in hopes it would make up for her previous encounter.
When Mr. Jeffries returned her smile with a toothless grin, she began to wonder. “Were you—”
The bus lurched to the right and Sophie and Ray jostled, until Ray steadied her by grabbing her shoulder.
Mr. Jeffries said, “Now, there you are, Professor Disney. Wondered when we’d run into each other again.”
“You two know each other?” Sophie asked.
“It’s a small world.” Ray grinned, and with a gleam in his eye, bent over and whispered to Ariel.
Ariel nodded and then giggled.
“What?” Sophie asked. “And why aren’t you answering my question?”
With matching grins, Ray and Ariel started singing the song “It’s a Small World” from the ride. Mr. Jeffries joined in. And then more bus riders joined in, until the whole bus was singing. Ray and Ariel motioned like chorus conductors.
What really astounded Sophie about the scene was that she found she didn’t hate it. But she couldn’t figure out why. I should hate this. This is the epitome of Disney. Singing Disney songs on a Disney bus in Disney, going to another Disney destination. What’s wrong with me? She smiled a stifled little smile and even considered joining in but stopped herself. Singing in the car during the Figment ride was one thing, but singing in public was another question, alb
eit in Disney public. Pull yourself together, woman! The entire spectacle seemed eerily familiar. I wonder...
When the song ended, she cocked her head sideways and asked Ray, “Someone on our plane pulled this same stunt—singing and getting everyone else on the plane to join in. Could it have been—"
“You are correct,” Mr. Jeffries said.
“I sat next to Mr. Jeffries,” Ray said.
“Mr. Jeffries told me he was coming along with us on the trip. When we saw him at the airport,” Ariel said.
“And it was Mr. Jeffries who encouraged me to start a round of Disney songs on the plane.”
“Sure. When I found out you’re Professor Disney.”
Sophie glanced down at the golden eyes of the man with the red and green-striped cane and said, “But of course you were!” It made sense. Mr. Jeffries was on his way to Disney World when they’d met him in the airport. And Ray was standing at the entrance of the Animal Kingdom Lodge when they walked in. He had no luggage because he had probably had it delivered directly to his room—a perk of staying in the hotel and using Disney transportation. Hyun had told her about it, but Sophie had decided against it, being too worried that she or Ariel would need something from their bags before they had been delivered.
Mr. Jeffries started the next song, “Heigh-Ho” from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and this time, Sophie did join in. They spent the rest of the bus trip singing merrily along the way.
AFTER FINDING PERFECT dresses at the Disney Dress Shop for their fancy Christmas dinner, Ray popped in next to Sophie. Shoving a shopping bag under his arm pit, he covered Ariel’s eyes with his hands. “Guess who!”
Ariel grabbed his hands, and squeaked, “I know it’s you, Ray.” She tossed his hands aside. “I’m glad you’re back, where’d you go?”
“Had some shopping of my own to do. Besides, I’m not the best when it comes to women’s fashion sense.”
“Well, I was wondering if we could get Ghirardelli’s ice cream for dinner?” Ariel asked.
“Oh, you’re right. It is dinner time,” Sophie said. “It’s getting dark out. But ice cream for dinner?” She threw the back of her hand to her forehead as a dramatic gesture. “That’s my kind of dinner!”
“Mine too! Though I’m surprised you two can eat anything after all that food at the EPCOT booths.” Ray high-fived Ariel.
Sophie strained the edges of her bottom lips outwardly. “But, um, just don’t tell your dad!”
“Our secret. Pinky swear.” Ariel crossed her heart and then held her pinky finger out, which Sophie hooked into hers.
“Hey, what about me?” Ray moaned. “I might tell your secret. Don’t I need to pinky swear too?”
Ariel pinky swore Ray, and then he winked at Sophie over the top of Ariel’s head.
Sophie smiled and glanced away. Ray was exactly the kind of man Ariel deserved on this trip. And he was a far cry from Darren. Darren! He’s coming. Tonight! Sophie had a minor panic attack. Things were about to change. But would they change for the better when he arrived? She shook off the feeling by shaking her head. What’s wrong with me? Darren’s giving up a lot to come here. I should appreciate it.
Her phone’s ringtone bolted Sophie out of her daze just when they stopped in front of the Neon lights of the ice cream store. No need for Christmas lights here, it’s lit up every night. Pulling her phone out of her bag, she glanced down. “It’s Grandma.”
“Do you wanna take that outside?” Ray asked.
“Sure. I’ll get us a table.” She answered the phone, “Mom, hold on just for a second, please.”
She covered the phone, and pulled out two twenty-dollar bills and handed them to Ray, “Can you order me a strawberry shake?”
Ray pushed her hand away. “This one’s on me. Go take your phone call.” He nodded toward the tables outside.
Sophie didn’t have time to argue, and as much as Ray had already done for them, she felt she owed him a sundae or twelve. But since her mom was on the phone, she went outside and sat at a clean table.
“Hi Mom.”
“Well, don’t you sound chipper, my dear. Much more relaxed than when I talked to you a few days ago in the airport.”
“We’re having a really good time, Mom.”
“I knew you would. So where are you two? I got your email that you were on your way to Epcot this morning. Sorry, I didn’t respond, but you know how long it takes me to figure out how to read an email. We’re here in Epcot now.” Her mom chuckled.
“Text, Mom, not email. Anyway,” Sophie drew in a deep breath, “plans have changed a bit. We got lucky and were able to get a reservation for Christmas dinner at the Cali Grill.”
“You did? How’d you manage that?”
“Long story. I’ll tell you later. But anyway, Ariel and I didn’t have anything to wear to a fancy restaurant, so we bought dresses at Downtown Disney. We got matching blue Mary Poppins dresses. They’re retro halter, with tiny black umbrellas all over. And around the bottom are carousel horses. Ariel loves them.”
“They sound nice, dear. But Downtown Disney isn’t Downtown Disney anymore. It’s—”
“Right. I was told. But anyway, my point is, we’re in Disney Springs not Epcot. Sorry I didn’t text you when we left. It’s been a full day.”
“I’m sure it has. Well, I think your father and I will be having dinner here tonight, at the Christmas festival. We’ll walk around the countries and have a few samples at the food booths. Then meet you back at the hotel in a little while. Love you. And tell Ariel we can’t wait to see her.”
“Will do, Mom. Love you too.”
“Perfect timing,” Ray said, carrying two milk shakes. He set one in front of her, while Ariel sat down to a large banana split.
“Well, at least you’re getting some fruit,” Sophie said. “And Grandma can’t wait to see us.”
“Yay! Grandma and Grandpa are here! Do you know when my dad’s coming?”
“I think he’ll be at the hotel when we get back. At least that’s the plan.”
“Can’t wait to see my dad!” Ariel shoved a large slice of banana-laden ice cream mixed with strawberry and chocolate sauces and flecks of pineapple into her mouth.
Ray focused on the contents of Ariel’s sundae and asked, “And your boyfriend?”
Sophie felt a sting somewhere in the middle of her chest under her rib cage. She was glad Ariel’s mouth was full; she couldn’t handle one of her comments at that moment. “Mmm...hmm, he’s coming in with Rick, Ariel’s dad.”
Ray continued to focus on Ariel’s blobby mix of sugary delight.
To ward off any comments from Ariel, Sophie jumped out of her seat and announced, “We still have time to go see the Christmas trees. Hyun said there are more than twenty on display here. All decorated in different themes. Wanna go?”
“I just started eating my ice cream.” Ariel shoved a large spoonful into her mouth, as if worried she wouldn’t be allowed to finish.
Sophie sat back down. “Right. Sorry. Okay, when you’re done we’ll go see them.”
AFTER THEY HOPPED OFF the bus at the hotel, Sophie, Ray, and Ariel walked toward the lobby where their families waited.
Ray said, “My favorite tree? It had to be The Jungle Book.”
“The Jungle Book?” Ariel squealed. “It was weird! It had huge leaves and bananas! That’s not Christmas!”
Sophie said, “I would have thought it would be the everything-Disney tree. It was the biggest and had the most Disney stuff I’ve ever seen in one place! That’s you, Ray, everything Disney!
Ariel said, “Yeah, Professor Disney!”
He chuckled. “That’s true. That is me all over. But The Jungle Book reminds me of when I was kid.”
“Watching the movie?” Sophie asked.
He shook his head.
“Playing a jungle game?” Ariel said.
“Jungle game?” He gave her a questioning look and shook his head. “Never heard of it.”
“You
know, you make animal sounds from the jungle.”
“Nope, that’s a new one to me. My brother Frank was a few years older than me, and he’d play with me as long as his friends weren’t around. But when they were, he’d chase me away. I would chase after them but could never catch up. I just wanted to be like Frank. And that song from The Jungle Book always stuck in my head.” Ray sang the song while clapping over his head and swaying back and forth, “I wan’na be like you.”
“Wow, I’m glad my sister didn’t do that to me,” Sophie said.
“Did she let you play with her friends, Aunt Sophie?”
“No. I was her friend, Arie. Your mom and I were bff’s.”
Ariel nodded.
“So, what was your favorite tree, Arie?” Sophie asked.
“The Little Mermaid?” Ray asked. “That one had a treasure chest!”
“Yeah, I liked that one. But that wasn’t my favorite. Mine was Peter Pan. I loved the pixie dust on the tree! And I liked helping Peter find his shadow. That was so much fun!” At the Peter Pan Christmas tree display, a photo opportunity had been set up for kids to be photographed with Peter’s Shadow in the background.
“I’m glad I got that picture of you finding Peter Pan’s shadow,” Sophie smirked. “Because I don’t think Peter would appreciate it if I hadn’t snapped a photo of his shadow sticking her tongue out!”
Ariel giggled.
“Ariel, I don’t believe your aunt has told us her favorite tree,” Ray said. “Wait. I know,” he had a silly grin. “It was the one with the Disney villains?”
“I did spend a lot of time at that one, didn’t I?” Sophie said.
“We had to drag you away, Aunt Sophie. Just like you have to drag me away from my toys.”
“I was entranced by the magic spells book,” Sophie looked off into the distance, noticing nothing in particular. “Wondered if there was a spell in there to make the night last longer. Because it was perfect.”
Ariel grabbed her hand. “Does that mean you like Disney now?”
“What?” At that moment, Sophie realized something had changed inside her. It wasn’t that she suddenly loved Disney but that she loved being in Disney with Ariel. And Ray. They made all the difference to her. And realizing that it didn’t matter where she was, what mattered was being with these two. “You know, Ariel, I don’t think I will ever love it as much as you. Or your mom did. And definitely not as much as Ray. But spending time with you guys, I’ve really had the time of my life. And it really is because of you.” Then directing her comment to Ray, “And you.”