by Nancy Naigle
Blue sky gave way to a soft purple evening as the sun set. “It’s getting dark so early these days.” She leaned against the rail looking out over Main Street. “It’s pretty though.”
“I was thinking maybe y’all could come over around three on Friday. We can have an early dinner. Nothing fancy. I’ll cook on the grill or something.”
“That would be nice. What can I bring?”
“Not a thing. I could come and pick y’all up, or—”
“Don’t be silly. I can drive over. I’m learning my way around town pretty quickly.”
“Okay, then three.” He pulled a card out of his shirt pocket. “Here’s my address. The weather is supposed to be clear. So I was thinking an early supper, and then we can horse around a little on the back property. I’ve got a couple of four-wheelers we can ride.”
His tension rose at her hesitation. Was she getting ready to back out?
“And before you say you’re too busy or make up an excuse, or anything besides yes, it’s just a couple parents hanging out for a nice meal and letting their kids burn off some energy.”
“If I said no to that RayAnne would absolutely disown me for the rest of her life. She loves that kind of stuff. She’s been dying for a four-wheeler. Not that it’s going to happen.”
He did know. But it was Santa intel. Could he tell her that? “Well, then you can’t say no.”
“As a mom I might have to.”
“Why?”
“I worry about her safety. Those things are dangerous.”
“They can be. You’re absolutely right. But I’ve got safety equipment, and rules. That should alleviate your worry. At least a little.”
“Not really,” she said. “Worry. It’s what we do about our kids. It’s love.”
“You’re right. How about I let you set extra ground rules if you want. You can be the honorary queen of my back yard. Am I begging?”
“Getting close,” she laughed. “How can I pass up being the queen?”
“You can’t. It’s your duty to the people.”
“Well, then I guess we’re in.” She lifted her hand in one of those royal elbow-wrist waves. “But if I get scared we have a signal to stop without me looking like the bad guy. Deal?”
She had a sassy side to her that intrigued him. “Deal.”
“Excuse me. Let me say goodbye to these folks.”
He watched her as parents began to usher their kids out of The Book Bea to head home and start their winter break. Seth was talking to RayAnne over by the Christmas tree. He was glad they were getting along so well. Maybe Seth could make RayAnne’s adjustment in Hopewell a little easier. Mac had lived here his whole life, so he’d never experienced changing schools, but he’d certainly seen the struggles his students had gone through when they transferred in mid-year.
Seth walked up and tapped his arm. “You ready to go home, Dad?”
“Sure. Yeah. Just waiting on you.”
* * *
Seth was so amped up after the tree trimming at The Book Bea that Mac had almost headed to the tree lot right then and there. If it hadn’t been his night to play Santa, he would have. Instead, they went straight home and shoved all of the furniture to one side to make room for the Christmas tree that they didn’t even have yet.
Now the living room was pretty much a mess. Boxes of Christmas decorations and the couch were shoved against one wall. It sort of looked like the Abominable Snowman from Rudolph had taken their house and given it a good shake like a snow globe.
Small price to pay for Christmas joy.
Someone knocked at the door, and Seth leapt to his feet. “That must be Haley.”
“Is it that time already?” Mac had completely lost track of time. He needed to get a move on or he’d be late.
“Hi, Mac.” Haley looked around the room, looking a little horrified. “Wow, y’all have been busy.”
And from her tone, not in a good way. “Looks like way more work than it is. We’re excellent mess makers,” Mac teased.
“I see that. They teach you that in college?”
“If they did I’d have gone for my Masters in it.”
“I’m just a natural at it,” Seth added.
“Got his old man’s sense of humor, too,” Mac said. “Guess I better hit the road.”
Mac grabbed his coat and drove to Santa’s Village. He had just enough time to pick out a Christmas tree for their house before he took his shift as Santa for the evening. He found a tall blue spruce that had that perfect shape, the one that spelled Christmas in his mind. He paid for the tree and then carried it over to his truck.
Still smelling like pine, he walked through the Village to the dressing rooms. As he passed excited children clinging to their parents’ hands, he thought of RayAnne and the disappointment he’d watched unfold beneath her eyes. It was those types of Santa moments that tugged on his heart in a whole different way.
Once he got that red suit on and took his seat in that chair, he was Santa. He never tired of the children’s hope-filled wishes.
The line was already long when he walked by on his way to his dressing room, but Rebecca had everything in order by the time he took his spot in the big chair.
Rebecca: It’s crazy tonight. Biggest night ever.
Here we go.
Rebecca: First five.
Tommy and his sister, Kate
Sandy
Lizzy and Libby—twins
Santa:
“Ho-ho-ho. Tommy?” Mac arched his brow, and as soon as the magic twinkled in little Tommy’s eyes, all felt right.
And two hours later, there was still a line as far as he could see, even though Rebecca had texted him to let him know that she’d stopped allowing more people in line thirty minutes prior.
When Mac looked at the new text from Rebecca his heart tightened. The last name on the next group of five read
SETH (yes, yours.)
How had Haley talked Seth into a Santa visit? Something he’d tried to do himself for years.
He scanned the line of children waiting and saw his boy standing there. He could barely hold back the joy in his heart.
Mac took a longer than normal pause before the next kid. He needed to give them each his all even though his stomach was in knots.
Would Seth recognize him beneath the getup?
This sure wasn’t the way he wanted him to find out about this part-time annual gig.
Would Seth feel betrayed? There was no time to call in a replacement, and if Mac pretended to be sick to avoid the risk, he’d let all of the children still in line down. He could never do that.
He gave Rebecca a nod, and one by one he went through the line until Seth was next.
Rebecca led Seth to Mac, only Haley was still nowhere in sight.
He and Rebecca had worked together long enough that an inconspicuous motion was full communication. And the little nod and hand motion she’d just sent him said that Seth was here alone.
Mac’s paternal side flared, but it wrestled with his holiday heart to stay in character.
Mac gave his best ho-ho-ho and motioned Seth closer. Hoping that the hair, the beard, the glasses, and the fat red suit might be enough to keep Seth from recognizing him, he kept his head tipped slightly away.
“Haven’t seen you in a very long time. You’ve been on my nice list every year, though.”
“Yes, sir. I try.” Seth didn’t sit on his lap. Instead he lounged against the giant chair, leaning his body away from Santa and constantly scanning the crowd. “Pretty sure I’m getting ready to get kicked off of that nice list, though.”
Did Seth recognize him?
“Ho-ho-ho. Now, maybe we should talk about that.”
“Have to tell you,” Seth said staring down at his shoes. “I don’t believe in Santa. I mean I’ve been trying to figure out if you’re real or not. I’m pretty sure you’re not. I mean, it’s nearly impossible. But I don’t know what else to do, so just in case you are … I could use some help.�
�
“I see.”
“My mom left me and my dad a long time ago.”
“Yes.” The pit in Mac’s stomach squeezed, leaving only enough space for guilt to seep in. He felt like he was eavesdropping on his son’s private thoughts.
“It’s okay,” Seth said. “We’re men. We got it. We’re good. But there’s a new girl. Her dad really let her down. Never saw anybody so sad in all my life. Could you do something nice for her? She’s ten. Her name is RayAnne. And she likes baseball and four-wheelers. Like me, but a girl. Her dad keeps messing up. She’s not so lucky lately. Can you help her?” Seth shrugged and scanned the line. He turned his gaze away. “This is probably stupid. Maybe a cool present would help.”
“That’s real thoughtful of you, so—” Mac caught the slip. He’d nearly said son. “—Seth. Sometimes things don’t fix feelings though. You know that, right?”
“Yes sir. I do. But you didn’t see her. We have to do something to be sure her Christmas is good. I’ve been sad about Christmas for a lot of years since my mom left. I don’t want her to be like that.”
Hold it together, Mac thought. All he wanted to do right now was hold Seth in his arms. He took a moment, trying to steady his voice. “I understand. I’m sure we can find a way to make sure your friend knows that she’s loved and that she has a good Christmas. You just gave her the best gift of all though.”
“Me? No, I haven’t done anything.”
“You care enough to ask for help. That’s big. Extra special. She’s very lucky to have a friend like you.”
“We’re not friends yet. I just met her. But I get her. And my dad, well, he’s really good. He’d never leave me.”
“She may not know it yet. But you are, indeed, a very special friend to her.” Mac had never been more proud of Seth. This was the kind of caring that you couldn’t teach. “What is it that you want for Christmas?”
“I pretty much got everything I need. You don’t have to fake this Santa stuff with me.”
“I’m not.”
Seth stared at him so long that Mac was certain he’d recognize him.
Instead, Seth drew in a breath. “A new computer game, maybe. But Dad and me do a lot of stuff. I’m good. Oh, and the lady that is living next door. Haley. Be sure her husband gets home soon. Maybe drop off some socks for her. She’s always wearing crazy, cool socks. She’s really nice.”
“Look at my elf.” Mac said, pointing to Rebecca. “Do I know crazy socks or what? I got that covered, no problem. I’ll get her to pick them out.”
“Cool.”
“You’re a very good boy. Can I ask you why you thought you’d be on the naughty list?”
His cheeks reddened. “I snuck out. Rode my bike here. My dad doesn’t know. And Haley thinks I’m sleeping.”
Mac’s emotions were torn between pride and concern. The bottom line was Seth was okay, and his heart was in the right place. If this wasn’t the Christmas spirit, he didn’t know what was.
He leaned forward, his voice feeling shaky. “That’s serious, Seth. You realize that was dangerous, too.”
“I know.” He hung his head. “Especially if you’re not real. But I had to take the chance. Dad said it was bigger than us. I didn’t know what else to do.”
How the heck was he supposed to handle this?
“Tell you what. I’ll take care of those requests. Even leave you on the nice list, but we’re going to arrange for a ride home for you.”
“I’m not supposed to ride with strangers.”
“You’re not supposed to ride your bike out of the neighborhood, either.” Mac hoped he hadn’t just blown his own cover.
Seth’s mouth dropped open, then snapped shut.
“It’ll be okay. I’ll write you a Santa pass for this one time. But you have to promise that it will never happen again.”
“I promise.”
“Let’s get a picture.”
“I don’t have any money, and my dad would kill me if he knew.”
“This one is just for me. To put in my personal things.”
“Okay.”
Rebecca took the picture.
“You go stand right next to that door, and wait. I’m going to have my lead elf, Rebecca, help with your ride home.
Seth walked down and stood next to the exit while Mac spoke with Rebecca and explained the situation.
“You’re kidding me!” Rebecca said, wide-eyed. “I’ve got it covered. I’ll get Wes from Wheelies to take him home. He’s printing the pictures tonight, but I can do that. Don’t worry. We’ll make sure he gets home safe.”
Mac worked his way through the rest of the kids, then he and Rebecca turned off the lights for the night. He drove home with the Christmas tree in the back of his truck, feeling like he may have just gotten the best Christmas present any parent could ever receive. Sure, Seth broke a rule. A pretty darn serious one, but Mac had done his share of that as a kid, too.
When Mac let himself into the house, Haley was watching a movie in his living room. He wondered if Seth had come clean with her.
“Hey,” Mac said.
Deep lines creased in her forehead. “Hi there. He told me everything. Are you speaking to me?” she whispered.
“Of course.” Mac laid his keys down.
She nodded. “He’s upstairs. For real this time. He apologized to me for sneaking out. Begged me not to tell you.” She whispered. “But then you’re Santa. You know everything.”
Mac breathed in deeply. “Yeah. The reasons were all good. But damn he could have been hurt. Not cool. He did it for the right reasons, though. It was sweet. A little girl he knows, her father cancelled their Christmas plans. He was there. She was sobbing. Heavy scene.”
“Ouch.”
“Apparently it hit a little close to home for Seth. It’s been years since Genna left.”
“He did mention a little something about that.”
“I’m doing the best I can.”
“You’re a great dad. It’s not about you, Mac. It’s about Seth, and he’s getting to the age where he realizes his life is different than most of his friends. Probably even more noticeable in a small town.”
“How am I supposed to handle all of this? I feel like I should do something as a parent, but I’m also proud of him. He was only thinking of others. And this is the first year since Genna left that he’s shown any interest in the holiday.” As upset as he was that Seth would take a risk like sneaking out and going all the way across town, he also knew he’d never forget this moment. The indication of what kind of man he was raising, the kindness in his son’s heart, was something he didn’t want to mar, either.
“Let me talk to him next time I see him,” Haley said. “We’ve really created a bond over the last few weeks. I can help you get your message across without you having to give yourself up in the process.”
“Thanks. Yeah. I appreciate it.”
Haley went out the side door and crossed the lawn to her parents’ house.
Mac watched until she was safely inside, then closed the door and locked it. He walked out into the garage. There were so many things out there that he and Seth did together. Sports, tools, half-done projects.
He rustled around the garage until he found the bucket he used for the Christmas tree each year. He carried it outside to the spigot to fill it; water splashed and lapped at its sides.
It was a clear night. The stars twinkled, and the night felt still. Once the bucket was full he put it next to the house, then dragged the tree from the bed of his truck. A burst of pine scent filled the air as he picked up the tree and put it in the bucket to hydrate until they were ready to take it inside.
The tradition of piling gifts under the Christmas tree would probably never go away. Glossy paper, dazzling ribbon, and the excitement of the hidden surprise, but to Mac the shining moments were the intangible ones. The ones you had to hold close to your heart because there was no other way to take a snapshot of those memories—like the smell of pine af
ter carrying the tree.
* * *
School was officially out for Christmas break, so Mac and Seth both slept in, then spent most of the morning going through boxes of lights. They tested each strand, tossed anything broken, and made a list of items they needed to replace so they could zip into town to get them.
Mac had thought going to town to pick up three strands of lights was going to be a quick and easy task. Unfortunately, technology had changed all that. Finding just a regular old plain strand of Christmas lights to match what he already owned had been darn near impossible amid the LEDs, and mini, micro-mini, icicle, and chasing lights.
That sure made him feel old. And he wasn’t.
He and Seth finally settled on buying enough new lights to fill the whole tree so they’d all match. They drove home singing to Christmas tunes.
Mac had just finished putting the tree in the stand when there was a knock on the front door.
Seth ran to answer it.
“Hey there,” Haley’s voice came in from the hall. “Now that is one amazing tree,” Haley said, nodding with approval.
“Dad always picks out the best ones. Do you and your husband get a live tree or have a fake one?” Seth asked.
“This would’ve been our first Christmas together. So I don’t know yet. We’re going to celebrate when he gets home, but there won’t be any real trees available then, so I’m pretty sure we’ll have an artificial one this year. But next year I think we’ll buy a real one together. I like the real thing.”
“Me too,” Seth said. “They smell good.”
Mac tightened the anchors into either side of the tree until it was standing straight, then crawled back out from underneath.
“Can you get a pitcher of water for the tree, Seth?”
“Sure, Dad.”
Haley watched Seth until he turned into the kitchen. “I just wanted to check to see how things were going after last night.”
“He doesn’t know that I know, if that’s what you mean.”
“Good. I think that’s the best plan. He’s a good kid. Don’t worry.”
Mac glanced down the hall. “I’m a dad. It’s what we do.” At that moment Sydney’s concerns echoed in his mind. “Worry. It’s what we do about our kids. It’s love,” she’d said to him.