“Are you alright, ma’am?” One of the workers in a bright red jacket looked into my eyes. “Did you hit your head? Do you have any broken limbs?”
Just a broken ego, I thought to myself.
“No, I think I’m okay.”
“Alright, let’s get you somewhere that you can rest a bit.” He helped me to my feet.
Lance was whisked away on a stretcher. It certainly wasn’t my finest hour.
I limped my way over to a small tent set up on the side of the base of the hill under the guidance of one of the on-site medical staff. Inside was an assortment of medical supplies as well as cups of hot cocoa.
“Here, drink this and warm yourself up.”
I took the cup of hot cocoa and sipped at it a little bit at a time. It was very hot. I wondered if Lance would recover. I’d had no idea how dangerous I would be on skis.
It was clear that my ski lesson was over.
I decided to head back to my car.
Chapter 8
When I made my way out of the tent I was nearly knocked over by two kids on skis. I tried to catch my balance but my hot cocoa slipped out of my hands and splashed into the face of a woman who followed after the two kids on her own set of skis. She screamed at the heat of the drink. I tried to use the arm of my snowsuit to wipe her face clean.
“I’m so sorry! It was an accident! Those little monsters almost knocked me over—”
“My children? Are you calling my children little monsters? What is wrong with you?”
A worker from the first aid tent rushed forward. “Are you okay? Are you burned?”
“I’m fine, no thanks to this, this—are you really a grown woman in a snowsuit?” She huffed.
I blushed. Though her face was red, it wasn’t burned. I was relieved that I hadn’t hurt her, but I wasn’t going to take any chances on what she might do to me if she got the chance. I hurried off to the parking lot.
Once I reached my car I took some time to sit and collect my thoughts. Yes, skiing had been a disaster yet again. No, I was not looking forward to facing the head elf at the training session that was next on my agenda. But I was determined to make these last few days of December count. Even if it made me miserable, I was going to find a way to accomplish something.
I started the car and drove home to change.
As I changed I tried to think of all of the positives of the day. I enjoyed the ride on the ski lift. I made it down the bunny slope, even if it was on my back. I met some new people. I tried not to think about the fact that Lance was taken away in an ambulance. I was sure he was just fine.
I pinned my hair back, put on my elf ears, and pulled on my elf shoes. I truly believed that every experience was what I made of it. If I went in with a good attitude, good things were bound to happen. I just had to summon that joy from deep within me, even if it was only leftovers from the year before.
The office was filled with elves when I stepped inside. Everyone was green and the costumes even glittered in the fluorescent light.
“Newbie, didn’t you get my text about coming early for your costume fitting?” The head elf scowled at me.
“No, I’m sorry. I didn’t.” I dug in my purse for my phone.
“Never mind, there’s one left. Just hurry up and put it on.” She shoved a dress bag at me and pointed to a closet. “You can change in there.”
“Isn’t there a bathroom or something that would be more suitable?”
“You change where I tell you to change, newbie, unless you would rather give us all a show!”
“No, thanks, that’s quite alright. The closet will be just fine.”
I opened the door to the closet and closed it behind me. To my surprise I was surrounded by darkness. I felt around for a light switch. When I couldn’t find one, I decided that since I was already late I’d do my best to change in the dark.
Halfway through the change, I realized that the green tights were so tight that I was sure they were backwards or perhaps meant to be a scarf instead. I searched for a light switch again. As I brushed my hand along the wall something brushed against my skin. Then it crawled across the back of my hand.
“Spider! Spider!” I screamed and shook the creature free from my hand. I slammed back into the door, which caused it to pop open, and then I landed on my back on the floor with my tights around my knees and my body flailing in absolute horror that a spider might still be on me somewhere. I looked up to see a flock of elves staring down at me.
“You okay there, newbie?” The head elf tilted her head to the side and raised an eyebrow. “Those tights a little tight?”
“Yes.” I gulped out and tugged them up over my hips.
“They’re supposed to be tight! It will keep you on point for the entire night. Can’t let a pesky thing like circulation distract you from your work.”
I smoothed the green skirt down over the green tights and did my best not to look anyone in the eye.
“Let’s see your elf walk, everyone!”
All of the elves began to parade around the room. I fell into step behind them but only took a few steps before the head elf jumped in front of me. “You call that an elf walk?”
“Uh, yes?”
“No! You have to waddle—like this!” She rocked back and forth on her feet.
I tried not to giggle.
“Do it, newbie!”
I rocked back and forth from foot to foot. It seemed more penguin-like than elf-like.
“That’s a little better. Now let’s hear you say—welcome to Santa’s toy factory!”
“Uh. Welcome to Santa’s toy factory!” I smiled.
“No, no, no! That’s all wrong. You have to be festive, you have to be peppy!”
I wasn’t sure I could be festive and peppy when my bottom was bruised from falling out of the closet.
“Alright, I’ll give you one more shot. Do the elf dance. Here, I’ll show you.”
She stood on one foot and waved her arms as she swung the other foot through the air. “Do the elf, do the elf!” she sang out loud.
“I don’t really have to do that, do I?”
“Are you an elf?” She glared.
“Yes, elf, I’m an elf!” I stuck one foot out, swung my arms, and promptly fell on my bruised bottom.
“Disgraceful.” She shook her head. Then she looked at all of the elves around her. “You’re all rusty! None of you are ready to be elves!”
All of the other elves hung their heads.
“And you!” She turned the full force of her wrath on me with such sudden speed that I jumped backward and jingled along the way. “You can’t walk like an elf, you can’t talk like an elf, and you certainly can’t dance like an elf. I don’t know what made you think that you could just come in here and fake your way into elf glory, but it’s not going to fly with me, chickie.”
Chapter 9
I stared at her and actually fought back tears. Was I really such a failure that I couldn’t even volunteer right? I couldn’t imagine anything more disappointing than being fired from a volunteer position.
“I’m trying, I’m really trying.”
“Great. You’re trying. I don’t give two flying reindeer about your trying. These kids will eat you alive!”
“Aw c’mon, Nancy, be nice to the girl. She’s brand new to the elf game.” One of the other elves stood up for me, which made me tear up even more.
“That’s no excuse. Newbie, I expect you to practice your elf walk, your elf talk, and your elf dance every chance you get. Understood? Tomorrow night we go live, and if you go out there like this you will get candy-caned.”
I thought about asking her what exactly that meant, but decided against it.
When I left the mall I did my elf walk to my car in the parking lot. When my phone rang I answered it with pep in my voice and my best elf talk.
“Merry Christmas, Mom, how are your holidays going?”
“Much more tropical than I expected.” She sighed. “It hasn’t stopped r
aining.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”
“You don’t sound sorry. You sound peppy.”
“Really? Thanks.” I smiled
“What are you doing for Christmas Eve?”
“I’m going to volunteer as an elf and hand out gifts to children.”
“Oh, Samantha, that sounds lovely. It’s so good of you to give back. I do hate to think of you alone on Christmas, though. If I pay for your ticket will you fly out here to join me?”
“Thanks for the offer, but I don’t think so. I’m really trying to get a few things done before the new year.”
“Ah, I understand. Just remember, Samantha, time goes on no matter how much we try to fit into it. Don’t overwhelm yourself!”
I thought about the past few days and was fairly certain that it was far too late for that.
When I got home, I sank my teeth right into my Christmas project—literally.
I chowed down on some chicken so that I could use the chicken bones as reindeer antlers. I used a tiny red marker to make one of the reindeer Rudolph. I glued an authentic cotton-ball Santa into the sleigh, which was made of toothpicks. It was a masterpiece, even if it did smell a bit like chicken. I wrapped it in eco-friendly recyclable wrapping paper. On the top I placed a bow made out of sheep-friendly yarn.
“Just beautiful, Sammy.” I smiled at my accomplishment.
Then I set the gift on the table near the front door so that I’d remember to take it to the library before my ski lesson the next morning.
I treated myself to a cup of lukewarm cocoa and then settled into bed.
The next morning I marched down the sidewalk toward the library with my perfect present tucked under my arm. As I walked along I didn’t notice that I’d gathered quite a following. It wasn’t until I stepped through the sliding doors and into the library that I realized I had a trail of dogs behind me.
“Shoo!” I waved the present at them. One of the dogs tried to snap it out of my hand. “Oh no, the chicken!” I gasped. The dogs began to jump and snarl at me.
In a panic, I tossed the present into the middle of the pile of Secret Santa presents. The dogs barked, howled, and lunged after the gift. Soon they’d ripped into every gift that was in the pile. Santa and several librarians tried to round up the dogs while I made a quick exit.
“Okay, so maybe being social isn’t my thing.”
I hurried back home and headed out to my final ski lesson. I wasn’t even sure if I’d be allowed back after what I’d done to Lance. Honestly, I was pretty shocked that I even had the courage to make an appearance, but I was determined to finish strong.
Sure enough, a new teacher was waiting for me. She was the female version of Lance, perfection from coiffed hair to perky pink boots.
“Hi, I’m Cindy. I’m taking over for Lance. Ready to hit the slopes?”
“I’m not sure.” I frowned. “I didn’t do so well last time.”
“Don’t worry so much. Skiing is all about being free—in your head and in your heart. If you think about it, you’ll fall, but if you just let everything glide, you’ll be just fine.”
I wasn’t so sure about her theory but I was willing to give it a try.
At the top of the slope I took a deep breath and let everything glide. I invited the fears and concerns that came into my mind to glide right back out.
Soon I was skiing right across the snow. I sailed down the bunny slope. I could feel the wind through my hair and hear the slice of my skis through the crunchy snow. It really did feel like flying. As I neared the bottom my feet turned in to create a plow. I eased to a stop and smiled proudly.
“Great job!” Cindy fluffed her hair. “See? It wasn’t so hard, was it?”
“No, it was great!” I swung my ski pole into the air in victory.
“Please, no!” Lance’s deep voice drew my attention as he ducked out of the way of my ski pole. He ran in the other direction with one hand raised to shield his head.
“Don’t mind him.” Cindy lowered his voice. “He’s always been a bit too easily frightened.”
I recalled the pain I’d put him through and didn’t blame him for running.
As I walked to my car, I reveled in my small victory.
I had officially learned how to ski.
I was quite proud and ready to face my role as an elf that night.
Chapter 10
When I arrived at the mall, the main room was buzzing with tension. All of the elves were whispering to one another and most barely looked at me.
The head elf paced in front of us yet again. “It’s the big time now, elves, no turning back.”
My palms were sweaty. My heart raced. And my tights were still way too tight. I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it through the night.
“When these doors open, it’s going to be the kidapocalypse!”
The head elf pushed a button on the sound system and cheerful Christmas music blasted through the speakers hung up on the walls. A man dressed as Santa walked in through a side door. I backed up a little to make sure my rear end was protected. I wasn’t sure if it was the same Santa from the library. With his long white beard and rosy cheeks it was impossible to tell.
Before I could decide, the front doors opened and children flooded the room. I planted my elf-shoes on the floor and braced myself for the terror that the head elf had described. Thankfully, all I saw were sweet little faces bright with smiles.
I began to relax. Clearly, the head elf was paranoid. These kids were sweet and adorable. They lined up nicely at the ribbon to wait their turn to receive a present from Santa. I stood near the ribbon and smiled at all of their angelic faces.
After about ten minutes a few of the kids wandered out of line. That was to be expected—it was a bit of wait. I herded them back in. Then a few began to demand their presents.
“How long have we been waiting? Let’s go! Where’s my gift?”
As more of the kids joined in with the demanding chant, the line became even more unruly. I tried to catch a few that had scampered toward the door.
When I did, one turned on me, baring his teeth. “Back off, elf!”
“Yikes!” I backed away only to have his little friend stomp on my elf shoe. That wouldn’t have been so bad if the bell didn’t dig into the top of my foot. “Ouch!” I tried to get hold of the collar of his shirt, but he ducked out of the way and knocked me off balance. As I started to fall, a little girl flung herself at me and engaged the full body cling.
“Help! Elves, help! I’m going down! Help!”
I tumbled to the floor with the child still attached.
“I warned her!” the head elf shouted.
The other elves swarmed around me. They tried to pry the child off me but the other children attacked. They broke past the ribbon barrier and surged toward Santa. Through the din of shrieks and laughter I could hear Santa whimper. I knew then that I had to do something to save Santa.
With the full body cling child still attached, I pushed my way through the small children and climbed on top of the present table. I picked up a candy cane and a small chocolate bell. I used the candy cane to launch the bell across the room. The moment the children saw the candy cane weapon they were intrigued.
Soon I was teaching them all how to fire and launch different kinds of candy. It kept them distracted enough to wait their turn for their present. The little girl that clung to me fell asleep, and I handed her off to her mother. By the end of the night, everyone had their presents and a smile on their face.
When it was time to go home I started to hand my elf ears to the head elf.
She looked me in the eyes. “You know something, newbie? I thought you’d fall flat on your face. But you really pulled it off. You’re the real deal. Those ears are yours now.”
Even though I’d never thought twice about elf ears before I signed up to volunteer, that moment meant the world to me.
I drove home that night quite content and ready to greet Christmas day.
As soon as I sat down in front of my computer, the words began to flow. Recognizing that it wasn’t as much about what I’d accomplished as it was how I’d accomplished it seemed to be freeing me of my writer’s block.
It didn’t need to be about pages or chapters, it needed to be about words and the way they were crafted to create a story.
I stayed up all night writing.
The next day I slept so late that when I woke up it was nearly evening. I yawned and barely noticed that I’d missed Christmas day entirely until my tummy rumbled.
“The food!” I jumped up and threw open the front door.
Nicely packaged in little boxes was the food I’d ordered from the restaurant. I carried it inside.
Instead of criticizing myself for not setting an alarm, or not remembering the food, I heated it up and enjoyed trying out the new flavors.
I thought about everything that I wanted for my future—an amazing career as a writer, travel, and love. I wanted to fully accept myself and forgive myself faster when I made mistakes. I wanted to fully embrace my life with all its challenges, and I wanted more challenges.
I smiled as I walked into my bedroom to retrieve my bucket list. It was time to add more items to the list for the new year.
I had the feeling it was going to be the best year ever!
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Sammy's Christmas List Page 3