Page 57 of Not Another Christmas Movie

“Well, Mr. President, you’ve got my support,” Annie said, giving Grant’s shoulder a quick squeeze.

As the kids sang through a series of scales, Annie made her way backstage to double-check that all the props were on the table and every costume piece was easily accessible. She planned to stay backstage in case of any last-minute issues and actually found herself looking forward to seeing what the show would look and feel like with an audience watching this classic story unfold before them. Annie still wasn’t a fan of A Christmas Carol, but even she had to admit, she didn’t hate this version of it. The kids were well-behaved little angels who acted and performed with such earnest hearts that it was almost impossible to feel anything but merry in their presence. They radiated joy, really, and Annie leaned into the warmth like a plant seeking the sun.

“Miss Annie,” a small voice called out. Annie saw the boy who was cast as Tiny Tim looking into the dressing room.

“Hey, Jimmy,” Annie said, impressed with herself for remembering his name. Jimmy Holiday wrung his hands nervously. Annie wondered, not for the first time, if he was actually a very old man trapped in the body of a first grader. “How’re you doing?”

“I don’t know if I can do it, miss,” Jimmy said, shaking his head with worry.

Annie stepped closer and gestured for him to come inside. “Do what, Jimmy?” Annie asked, trying to make her voice as calm as possible.

“I believe it’s a classic textbook case of stage fright, and I simply don’t know what to do. You’re the only person who can help me,” Jimmy said, all in a rush, his small face twisted with concern.

Wow, Annie thought, this kid is a solid actor … and I’m totally not equipped to assist him in any real way …

“Huh,” Annie said instead, taking a deep inhale. “You’re the best Tiny Tim I’ve ever seen,” Annie told him honestly. Jimmy didn’t budge. Okay, Annie thought, this may require a little more heavy lifting.

“How do you do it, Miss Annie? When you’re at your big-city job, I mean. Do you ever get nervous?” Jimmy asked. He sounded like he was on the verge of crying, and Annie really didn’t want to have another person weeping away in her company if she could help it. Annie took another deep breath and tried to formulate a coherent response.

“Okay, Jimmy, well, I can tell you how I see things. The feelings of nervousness and excitement are almost identical. To your body, at least. You know, the fast heart rate and sweaty palms stuff. Your body is getting ready to take some kind of action based on some kind of unknown. When you’re nervous, you’re probably fearing the unknown, and when you’re excited, you’re looking forward to the unknown, but again, the physical feelings are so similar. So whenever I start feeling anxious about negotiating something or taking a risk, I try to remind my brain that what I’m feeling is totally normal, it’s okay, and if I can focus on the excitement, rather than fear, it helps me,” Annie said. Jimmy gave her a look of pure surprise, his eyes spellbound as he absorbed this concept. And then he leaped closer to Annie and threw his small arms around her neck.

“Thank you, Miss Annie,” Jimmy said into her hair. And Annie’s heart squeezed inside her chest.

“Everything okay, Jimmy? All set for the run-through?” Chris said, poking his head through the door.

“I’m ready now, Mr. Chris. Miss Annie was offering me some last-minute tips,” Jimmy said, beaming at Annie and waving around two thumbs-up.

“I knew you would help,” Chris whispered, giving Annie a very fond smile filled with warmth and genuine appreciation. Annie blushed, again uncomfortable with the amount of praise for doing what felt like so little.

“Anytime,” Annie said with a small, encouraging smile at Jimmy. “Break a leg, okay? You’re going to be spectacular out there, and I’m so excited for you,” Annie told him, emphasizing the word “excited” so he’d hopefully take it with him. Jimmy nodded and gave Annie another quick hug before racing out of the room.

“I guess that means it’s time for places then, huh?” Chris said, sheepishly grinning. “I’m looking forward to getting to spend some more time together at the Christmas festival,” Chris told her with a meaningful glance.

“Sure, me too. What a day, huh?” Annie said, unsure of what else to say.

“What a day indeed,” Chris nodded. A moment of silence hung between them. “Places!” Chris suddenly boomed out, and Annie had to cover her ears from the sudden explosion of sound.

“Thank you, places!” The murmur of kids’ voices called out in response. And so, to places they escaped, and as far as Annie could tell from her spot backstage in the dressing room, the rest of the run-through passed without a hitch.

Once everything had been put away and prepped for the final performance, Annie was mid-exit when she caught Grant and Perry in a heated discussion. Both of them made exaggerated gestures, bordering on pantomime performance. As much as she wanted to eavesdrop, Nick, Chris, and Bailey were waiting for her by the exit. After crossing the street together, Eve and Ferguson were conveniently making their way to the festival too. Apparently, they would be attending the final night as a group.

“Tonight we can go sledding, drink hot cocoa, and walk through the ice sculpture gallery,” Chris said, listing activity after activity on his fingers.

“An ice sculpture gallery?” Nick and Annie asked at the same time before glancing at each other and smiling.

“Like the one in Groundhog Day?” Annie asked.

“That’s what I’m imagining too,” Nick smiled.

“Groundhog Day?” Chris asked, looking to Bailey for clarification, but she gave him a puzzled look.

“What is a groundhog?” Eve asked, full of excitement. “How American!”

“It’s an animal, kind of like a marmot. But it’s also a movie,” Nick explained. “And the ice sculpture bit Annie and I are thinking about is pretty romantic.” Everyone leaned toward Nick, awaiting details of the scene in question. “Phil tells Rita that no matter what happens tomorrow—”

“He’s happy in this moment—” Annie added.

“And that he loves her,” Nick finished, and a wave of warmth crashed inside Annie’s muscles, momentarily stiffening her in place for fear her legs wouldn’t be able to carry her another step with the weight of her feelings.