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“You didn’t bring the other one back,” she says calmly. “Once it’s returned, we can launch a return claim and you should have your remaining fifty dollars within ninety days,” she parrots, sounding more bored than ever.
I feel sick like I might actually just throw up right here.
I feel my head shaking, my whole body shaking.
I’ve had enough of this. I want out.
“Carol… Carol!” A familiar voice calls after me, but I’m out. Too mad to pay attention.
I storm back down to the dressing room, snatching my stuff up, and make for the same way I came in.
Checking my purse, I should have just enough for the subway home.
Home?
Where is that anymore anyway?
I waited for you Lucian, I went to work just like you said.
All for another twenty-five bucks.
Or was that part of the whole joke in the first place?
A cab honks nearby, and I check my purse again.
“I got like nine bucks cash and a check for twenty-five,” I tell the guy, tears streaming down my face by now.
I tell him where I’m headed, and he jerks his head towards the back seat.
“Gotta fair over that way soon, so jump in. Hey, you alright?” he asks once I slide in.
I shake my head, holding in what tears I have left.
“No. No, I’m not alright,” I tell him.
As he pulls out, I can hear my name again, louder this time, but inside my head is all a bunch of names, screaming kids and people all asking for Santa.
Five hours of that is enough to give anyone nightmares.Chapter TwelveLucianI can’t believe she doesn’t recognize me, but like I said it’s probably for the best.
It’s a different kind of thrill for me to be so close to her, but I can’t believe she doesn’t know it’s me. The makeup I guess is first class.
Sweaty as hell underneath, but first class.
The kids and their folks love it every year.
It’s why I do it.
But right now, I couldn’t care less about any of that. I should’ve told her it was me. I should’ve done a lot of things.
Once the show’s over and the curtains close, there’s a stream of a different kind of people all wanting a piece of me.
The staff.
I’ve gotta get out of this suit and dressed, ready for the Christmas Eve ball in just under an hour.
My plan was to reveal myself once we’d finished, then take Carol shopping for a gown, so she could join me.
Be at my side all night.
What I don’t count on is her doing a runner once she gets another one of those goofy checks.
Nowhere near what she’s worth.
Nowhere near what anyone’s worth for the great job she’s done for the past two days.
I try and get her attention, calling out as I push past everyone else, growling by the time I get to the back dock, seeing her get in a cab and drive away.
The growing entourage of managers, organizers, and of course, the makeup people chases me all the way outside too.
It’s freezing cold, and Carol has nothing on but her Mrs. Claus costume.
People are asking me things, grabbing at me until I turn around, looming up over all of them.
Furious.
“Get me a fucking car, right now!” I roar, and they all scatter.
“And whoever’s handing out those twenty-five dollar checks for full shifts worked. They’re answering directly to me!”
In seconds there’s a dark Lincoln and I’m in the back, tearing off my Santa face.
Cursing the whole day so far.
This is not how I had planned on things going.
I give the driver Carol’s address and he pushes the gas.
At least someone knows how to do their job.
At times I think I can see her cab, but the traffic’s so heavy in we lose her.
But I won’t lose you, Carol. No fucking way.
It feels like the longest ride of my life, but we pull up at her building.
“Wait here,” I order the driver who only gives a solemn nod, no eye contact.
I might keep him as my new driver.
But Jesus the place looks worse today than it did last night.
The gloom of winter doesn’t help, but I can see why my attorneys and accountants were so down on the idea.
I thought it was just me getting them up at four am. To discuss it.
But no. The place is a fucking wreck.
Tossing the beard and other crap from my face on the back seat, I make my way inside, taking three then four steps at a time until I reach her floor, three long strides until I reach her door.
I’m shaking all over, my chest is heaving in freezing air, but it’s all because I missed her.
Because I didn’t get a chance to explain.
It was supposed to be a surprise goddammit.
I knock as gently as I can. But I’m pounding I know it.
“Carol! Carol!” I demand, not wanting to wait another second.
