Page 4 of Wrapped Up In Tinsel

“Maybe we’ll take the kids there. Might be a little less crazy than going to the Galleria. I hate going anywhere near it this time of year.” The Galleria was the biggest mall in this area. It was built in 2000 but had been expanded and the whole area had now become a part of the mall. People shopped and dined and did everything there and the traffic and crowds were always a challenge but a hundred times worse during the holidays.

“There’s still quite a few stores, it’s just not close to how many are in the Galleria,” I said.

“What made you order something there?” he asked, and I explained about the journal and the tradition I’d been continuing with my grandfather.

“Well good luck out there today. As you know it’s only going to get worse.”

I finished pulling on my shoes and after making sure I had everything put away in my locker, I walked out to the front to clock in and get my truck. “Hey, Cecilia, which one am I in today?” I asked, and she handed me my route and keys without a word.

After checking it was the same as usual, I hurried out to the truck and did the same safety check I did every time before leaving and once it was complete I was on the road. My truck didn’t have room for much more than it had already held, and I knew as soon as I started it was going to be a long day, but as I pulled up to the first house and they already had their house decorated, it eased some of the anxiety I felt about getting it alldelivered on time. Funny how seeing something you loved could do that.

Traffic was already heavy, and Thanksgiving was still more than a week away. It seemed everyone was trying to get ready early this year, and if all the packages in the back were any indication, then people were shopping early too, which usually meant they’d be shopping for more. “Gonna be a busy one,” I said as I pulled up to the next house.

I’d been driving for a few hours when I decided to take my lunch break. Pulling into a parking lot I found a space at the far end and took out the sandwich I’d brought. Just as I was about to take a bite, I noticed a car sitting at the stoplight to the left of me. The driver slowly turned his head and looked at me, and when our eyes met, both of us smiled.Mr. Elf.

He smirked at me the way he had earlier and jumped when the car behind him laid on the horn since he didn’t go with the green light. He tipped his chin at me before driving off like nothing had happened. “There might be another visit to the mall in my future,” I said to myself and watched as he disappeared into traffic.

Five

Steve

After seeing that guyfrom the mall I smiled all the way home. Today had been a shitshow, but somehow seeing him again had eased some of the tension I’d carried around all day. I wasn’t sure what made me take the job as a fucking elf, but if I was being honest, it wasn’t that bad.

I was never fond of children but thinking back there were not that many times I’d actually spent time with them. That changed today, and after watching their excitement through the guy from the bookshop’s eyes, something had changed in me. Sure, they were still annoyingly loud, obnoxious without trying to be, some of them smelled, and a lot of them had sticky hands. Which I didn’t want to give much thought to.

But they were cute, and so happy to see Santa.I wonder if I went to see Santa when I was a kid?I wasn’t sure, but I promised myself I’d ask my parents the next time I saw them. I drove the rest of the way home and realized it would take me less time to get to this job than it had been taking me to drive to El Dorado Hills, and no snow was a bonus. The rest of the night I spent relaxing and even watched a Christmas movie. Sure, it was about Santa fending off an army of mercenaries, but it still counted as a Christmas story.

The next day I worked the first shift, so I was up early and ready to go. I knew the mall would be open before the Santa display was, so I thought I’d go and do a little shopping.And maybe see that cute guy that seems to really like Christmas.I ignored that thought and ate a quick breakfast before driving to the mall. The irony wasn’t lost on me. I’d avoided malls for years, now here I was rushing to go back to this one.

It was just as easy to find a parking space today as it had been yesterday. Even if the line for Santa was long, not many people came to this mall. Its popularity had dwindled through the years, but it was in a convenient area for a lot of people, so they still came. I entered through the same door I had yesterday and wondered for the millionth time why I thought this was a good idea, but after I started walking through the mall and window-shopping, I found I really did enjoy it.

“Hey, are you working today?” a voice from behind me asked as I stood looking at a display of shoes. I turned and there stood the guy from yesterday. He was probably around my age with curly blond hair and dark brown eyes.

“Yes, but not for a little while still. I’m on the early shift today. Do you work here?” I asked and noticed his smile.

“The mall? No, I drive for UPS. I just love the holidays, and this is the mall I’ve always gone to since I was a kid,” he said and looked past me at what I was looking at. “Are you buying shoes?”

A deep blush warmed my cheeks, and I shook my head when I couldn’t get my voice to work. “No,” I said after clearing my throat. “I hate malls, and crowds.” His face fell at my words. “I mean I wouldn’t want to work at one of the big malls. But this isn’t so bad.”

He grinned then. “The Galleria is crazy this time of year. I’ve had that route before, and the traffic makes it so much worse.”

“Yes, I hate that part too. There’re so many things that make the holidays not as fun,” I said.

“Want to get a coffee?” he asked, surprising me.

“Sure.” I checked my phone for the time but realized I still had more than an hour. “I don’t have anywhere I need to be for a while.” He smiled then and walked next to me as I followed his lead. He obviously knew exactly where he was going but I had no clue.

“How’s this?” He stood outside a small coffee shop that wasn’t crowded, and I nodded my agreement. He held the door open, and we walked to the counter to order. He chose one of the seasonal flavors loaded with sugar and cinnamon while I ordered a black coffee. “I’ll get it, you go get a table.” I stepped in front of him as he took out his wallet. He hesitated a moment before nodding his head and going to the nearest table. “Can we get two of those too?” After paying, I walked over to the table and sat down.

“I realized I have no idea what your name is, I’m Steve Reynolds,” I said as I adjusted my chair.

“Oh my gosh, you’re right. I’m Garrett Juhl,” he said just as the barista signaled that our order was ready. I hurried over to pickup the tray and took it back to the table. “So, how is it being an elf?” He glanced at me before taking a sip of his holiday drink, and giving the blueberry scones I’d ordered a curious look.

“That’s for you.” I moved the tray closer to him and he broke a piece off one to try it. “It’s just as horrible as you’d imagine it would be, but it was also a little bit fun. But only a tiny amount,” I said, and took a sip of the hot, strong coffee.

“Being a delivery driver, I sort of get it. This time of year, I love all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, but I also get annoyed at all the hustle and bustle of the holidays.” He smiled at me, and I fought not to return it.What was it with this guy?

“Do you live nearby?” I asked, and it hit me that we were total strangers, but I felt very comfortable around him which was a first for me.

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