RASHID WAS CLEARLY ASannoyed to be alone with Ruby as she was to be alone with him. At least the parade was busy now, so it was easier to ignore each other and pretend the upside-down clowns were the most interesting things they’d ever seen.
This manreallygot under her skin. Ruby knew her enthusiasm sometimes rubbed people the wrong way. But it was usually easy to brush off criticisms because she was happy with who she was. And after everything she’d been through, she deserved to enjoy her life. But Rashid’s censure stung more than others’. He called her incredibly impulsive. He implied her move was irresponsible. He even insinuated she was unintelligent because she liked expensive skin care and themed manicures. It reminded her of her father—a man who also thought that everything Ruby did or liked was a waste of time. Ruby hated to be reminded of her father.
Parades were supposed to be fun. People in large gingerbread man costumes walked by waving. Clowns were handingout candy canes. People were joyful, and Ruby was sitting next to the Grinch with the Good Skin.
Finally, she couldn’t stop herself. She had to say something. “You’re aware that everyone disappearing like that is probably because they want us to be alone, right?”
He nodded. “Probably.”
“So, you knew this was a setup then?”
He nodded again.
“Did you know that you were being set up withme?”
He shook his head. “I knew my sister found another date for me, despite me telling her not to. I wasn’t aware it was the Christmas elf that tosses trees on bystanders.”
“Idroppedmy tree on you,” Ruby said. “Not tossed. And that was the first time that’s happened. It’s not, like, a habit.”
He shrugged.
Ruby exhaled. “You’re hating this, aren’t you?”
“Hating what? The parade, or you talking to me?”
“Theparade. Why did you come if you don’t like Christmas and didn’t want to be set up with anyone?”
He turned to her, eyes full of annoyance. Actually, a step above annoyance. His eyes were full of disdain. “Why do you care? You’relovingthis… which doesn’t really make sense either. Why do you care about Christmas so much? You come from the same religion as me.”
“Okay, so Muslims aren’t allowed to enjoy Christmas?”
“Yes, but don’t you think you’re taking it too far?”
Ruby rolled her eyes. “We’re surrounded by this holiday every winter. Why shouldn’t we find joy in it? Or is it all forms of joy you have a problem with, not just Christmas joy?” Sheexhaled. She shouldn’t be provoking him. He was going to make sure she was blacklisted in the entire United Kingdom hospitality industry.
“Okay but youmusthave noticed the way people celebrate the holiday is more about commercialism than anything else.”
“Yes! I work in a Christmas store. My income relies on that commercialism!”
A clown carrying an iPhone came up to them. “Smile for the Christmas cam!”
The clown snapped a picture, then frowned at the phone. “No Grinches allowed! Let’s try that again… smile for the Christmas cam!”
Ruby had no idea what the Christmas cam was, but if this clown wanted her to smile, she could do that. Even next to Rashid Hakim.
The clown seemed satisfied with the second picture and waved before finding another couple—hopefully a happier one, to photograph.
Ruby sat silently watching the parade. How long did it take to change a diaper, anyway? And what about Jasmine? She’d been gone even longer. “I hope your sister and nieces are okay. Santa will be here soon.” Ugh. Ruby was incapable of keeping her mouth shut.
He shook his head. “I’ve never understood who thought the Santa Claus myth was a good idea for children.He sees you when you’re sleeping. He knows when you’re awake.Sure, let’s tell little kids that overweight white men in red suits are predators stalking them. And that Elf on the Shelf thing? The girls’ grandmother got it for them last year, and they screamed interror every morning when they saw it in a new spot, staring at them. Creepy as hell. My sister had to hide the damn thing.”
Ruby chuckled. He actually had a point. “I agree that elf is creepy, but Santa is wholesome! He’s not a predator. He gives gifts.”
“Yes, but only to kids who he deems worthy. You ever think about what kids whodobelieve in Santa think about the non-Christian kids who don’t get gifts from Santa? They probably think Muslim, Hindu, and Jewish kids are all naughty. That’s not the way to facilitate compassion and respect between religions.”
And that was another good point. She’d never looked at it like that. “Do the girls believe in Santa?” Ruby asked.
Rashid exhaled. “Yes. They celebrate Christmas—and they love it. Their father insisted, even though Jasmine didn’t want to do the whole Santa thing. But we don’t tell them that kids who don’t get presents are naughty—just that they don’t celebrate this holiday.”
