I reach for her hand, squeeze it tightly and wink. “Let’s go.” Alyssa skips across the street, and I find myself wanting to do the same. As soon as we step into the village, the elf behind us puts a rope up, closing us in.
“We made it just in time, Daddy.”
“We did, but Santa is here until Christmas. We would’ve come tomorrow if we missed today.” Alyssa nods while I mentally prepare for the long line ahead.
After about twenty minutes of her hopping in place, I let go of her hand and shake out my arm. She’s about pulled it out of its socket. “Are we almost there yet?”
I scoop her up until she’s resting on my shoulder. It’s awkward and cumbersome but gives her the best vantage point. “Daddy, I see Santa,” she squeals so loud the people in front of us turn and look.
“Sorry,” I mutter, but they tell me not to worry.
After I put Alyssa down, she says, “This is the best place ever. How come we haven’t come before?”
As much as I want to be honest with her, I can’t tell her that her mother never wanted to visit or that her mom thought the mall Santa was good enough. Sometimes, that’s the difference between growing up in the city versus a small town. People think their traditions are better, and minds are often hard to change.
“I don’t know, kiddo. But we’re here now,” I tell her.
We inch closer to the front, and that’s when I spot her—the elf—Bree. Her last name escapes me at the moment, but not her first. We went to high school together, always friends, but never close. We hung out with the same crowd but were never super friendly in a sense she would call me or I her. But I was always fascinated by her name. Most of the girls in school had long names they shortened, Samantha to Sam, Christine to Christy or Chris. Bree was always Bree. Never Brianna or Breland. She was always just Bree. And for as long as I can remember, she’s always been the elf that stands next to Santa.
Bree looks up and catches me staring. I should turn away, but I don’t. I smile and offer a little wave, wondering if she even remembers who I am or if she thinks I’m some sort of weirdo. I’m going for the latter because what person waves to someone they haven’t seen in a handful of years. She waves back, but I’m sure it’s only because she’s an elf, and it’s her job to be friendly.
When it’s our turn, Bree comes forward and crouches down to Alyssa’s eye level. “Hi, Alyssa. I’m Bree. I’m going to take you to see Santa in just a second. Can you tell me what your bear’s name is?”
My mouth drops open, and Bree winks. How did she know my daughter's name?
Alyssa holds her bear out and says, “This is Mommy.”
“Mommy?” Bree verifies.
Alyssa nods, and I wish I could just pick her up and take her home. “Yep, because that’s my mommy’s heartbeat inside. Listen.” Alyssa thrusts her bear toward Bree, who turns her ear toward its chest. Her eyes meet mine, and she knows. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure this one out.
Bree smiles and takes Alyssa’s hand. “Make sure you tell Santa all about your bear. He’ll want to listen too.”
They’re gone before I can protest. Alyssa climbs right up onto Santa’s lap and starts talking a mile a minute. My mom appears by my side and loops her arm in with mine.
“Did you tell them we were coming?” I nod toward the elves and Santa.
“Nope, why?”
“Because Bree knew Alyssa’s name.”
“Must be the magic of Christmas,” my mom says.
“Yeah, must be,” I say just as Alyssa comes running with a handful of candy canes. When I look up, Bree is standing there, smiling.
3
Bree
“How is it you knew every child’s name tonight?” I ask Santa.
Jody winks and gives me a big Santa smile. “It’s my job to know. Plus, I have to live up to your grandfather’s legacy.” Which is true. My grandfather knew all the little kids. Occasionally, some out of towners would stop in that he wouldn’t know, but other than that, he was on top of it. His gaze averts to something over my shoulder, and he sighs. “I knew Caleb Allen was in town and figured he’d bring his little girl to see me at some point. His wife died in a car accident over a year ago. You remember him, don’t you?”
Hearing that makes my heart hurt. I look over my shoulder and see him standing with his mother and holding his daughter’s hand as they talk to Mary-Anne, who is still wearing her ugly Christmas sweater from earlier today when she came into the gallery. “We graduated together. I haven’t seen him since then,” I say, turning back to him.
Jody’s gaze saddens. “It kills me when little kids are sad. Did you hear what she asked me for?”
Nodding, I swallow hard, trying my best to ignore the burning behind my eyes. She said she knew he couldn’t bring her mother back because she’s in heaven, but she wanted Santa to give her dad a gift that would make him happy and not sad. Such a smart little girl.
“I did. I can’t imagine what it’s like to lose your mother at such a young age.”
Jody squeezes my shoulder. “Me either.” He lets out a heavy sigh. “All right, my favorite elf, I’m heading home. I’ll see you tomorrow evening.”
“Sounds good, Santa.”
He waves at Alyssa and when I look over at her, she waves at me. I wave back, and she lets go of her dad’s hand to run over to me, still holding her teddy bear. Caleb is caught off guard and hollers after her, but she doesn’t stop.
“Thank you for all of the candy canes,” she says, her little voice angelic and soft. Several of them stick out of her pockets, and it’s hard not to laugh.
I kneel to get on her level. “You’re welcome, sweetheart. You know, I usually eat about three of them a night. I’m addicted to them.”
Caleb comes up behind her and picks her up in his arms. “You can’t run off from me like that, Alyssa.”
She frowns. “I’m sorry, Daddy. I wanted to tell Bree thank you for all the candy canes.”
Caleb sighs but then shakes his head and smiles. “It’s okay. I’m sure Bree appreciates it.”
His eyes meet mine, and for a second, I get lost in them. We used to run around in the same friend circle, but I don’t remember his eyes being such a beautiful golden brown. Clearing my throat, I focus back on Alyssa, grinning as wide as I can. “I do. There are a lot of kids who don’t say thank you at all.”
“We’re going to get hot chocolate from Aunt Mathie’s diner,” she says, bouncing in Caleb’s arms.
He chuckles. “Can you tell she’s excited?”
“I’d be excited too,” I laugh. “Aunt Mathie’s has the best hot chocolate ever.”
Caleb’s mother, Ruth, steps up beside him. “It’s even better than mine, and I’m not ashamed to say it.” She holds her arms out wide. “It’s good to see you, Bree. How’s the gallery doing? I’m looking forward to the Christmas showcase.”
I hug her and step back. “It’s great, actually. I’m looking forward to showing off the new pieces I procured.”