Page 12 of Holley Jolly Biker

And I said I was going to avoid the general store.

However, after talking to some of the townsfolk, they told me that Granger’s was the only place in town that sold glass ornaments for a decent price.

And seeing as I planned to pass down the ornaments to Soraya when she was old enough and living in her own place, I wanted them to last.

We were walking up and down the aisles; I already found the ornaments.

Thankfully, they were priced just right so I could get them and still be able to order Soraya’s big Christmas gift tonight when we got home.

We had just entered the toys they sold when I said, “Okay, honey, go look at the toys, and let me know which ones you like. I’ll do my best to get them for you for Christmas. Okay?”

I felt a pang in my chest when I saw a few toys they sold that Soraya used to have.

Used to have because that rat bastard I was stupid enough to stay with for so long told me I couldn’t take with me.

And only because it had been his money that had bought them.

Jerk face.

I was looking at the ones that caught her eye, and then I saw it, and I groaned.

Of course, they would have it here, of all places.

There were three things she wanted for presents this year.

One was a Bratz doll, and I had found one that matched Soraya’s wild spirit. And it was the present I was ordering when we got home.

The second one... well... that was going to be impossible, but I would do what I could to make it happen.

She wanted to have a big family Christmas.

I had no family left.

My mother was in parts unknown.

My father had finally kicked the bucket after being an alcoholic, damaging his liver, and refusing medical care for it.

My great aunt had passed away shortly after she told me about this small town.

My grandparents, I couldn’t tell you who they were.

But I knew that Mr. and Mrs. Robbins saw themselves as pseudo-grandparents.

So that would just have to do.

Now, back to the third thing she wanted.

It was the Barbie in Swan Lake Doll.

See, before we had moved and everything had blown up, Peter, aka rat bastard, the company he worked for, had taken everyone to the ballet.

And Soraya had fallen in love with the costumes and everything about it.

Hence, the Barbie in Swan Lake doll.

When Soraya moved to grab it, I peeked at the price tag and felt my eyes widen in my eye sockets.

When she showed it to me, I sighed, “Honey, I’m sorry. I won’t be able to get you that for Christmas.”

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