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“This is an old-school mall. They don’t have cameras,” Toby scoffed. “Wish there was so I didn’t have to make rounds so often. But by eleven there’s nothing going on anyways. I usually nap.”
“Sounds like the perfect job. Maybe I should apply for it,” I teased. “Anyway, I had a lady call looking for a bracelet she lost. I told her I’d ask security. She’s going to call back tomorrow. If someone turns one in, let me know.”
Why am I not turning in the phone? And now I lied. Why?
“Are you the only one working the photo booth? I’ve seen you here every day,” Toby asked, lounging in his chair. “You work pretty long shifts.”
“Yeah, I work the day and night shifts. It’s fine, though. I need the money.” I stood in the open doorway. “I better get going. Have a good nap.”
“It’s not nap time yet. I have to make another round to make sure all the store fronts are closed.” Toby yawned. “Soon, though.”
I wonder if he would let me stay in the mall tonight. What could it hurt? Should I ask?
I decided against asking. Toby was a cool guy but, if he said no, he might tell someone I asked, and I couldn’t lose this job. I slowly walked back through a dimly lit mall to Santa’s workshop. I sat looking around, then noticed I hadn’t put the candy cane buckets away. I grabbed the buckets and crawled through the little doorway to put them away.
I wonder if anyone would notice if I was in here? I fit if I don’t stretch out. It’s enough room to sleep and at least it’s warm. What’s the worst that could happen, Toby finds me and I say I was stuck or something?
I squeezed back out, shut all the lights off, and grabbed my purse. I shoved my purse through the door, then followed it inside and moved way to the far corner. I sat tucked in the corner hugging my knees to my chest, hoping this worked so I wouldn’t have to sleep in my car in the cold.
Is it worth getting caught and losing the only job I was offered? Yeah, it’s worth it, because I could freeze to death in the car. Girl, you didn’t think it through when you moved up north in the winter.
I dug into my pocket, pulled the cell phone out, and shut it off. I couldn’t afford for it to ring while I was in hiding. I’d never done anything like this before, but even this was better than most of the foster homes I’d lived in over the years. I’d still need to figure out what to do if I had to go to the bathroom, but I’d cross that bridge when I got to it. My belly was full and I was warm and safe, so there is where I would stay
Chapter 4
Asher
“Cameras? You mean like security cameras?” Johnny asked from inside the office. “I hadn’t thought about that just yet, but I’ll check sometime this week.”
“Where’s the security office? I’ll check right now.” I said to his questioning face, “Don’t ask.”
“No, sir, I wasn’t going to ask, especially not when Sawyer is laughing about it,” Johnny chuckled. “Security is at the other end of the mall. You sure I can’t take care of it for you?”
“Oh, don’t sweat it, Johnny, he just wants to destroy some evidence.” Sawyer laughed and waved goodbye.
The mall was closed and the lights were dimmed. We stopped by Santa’s workshop just before the hallway to the security office. We both looked around Santa’s throne and on the floor where I’d fallen. No cell phone to be seen.
“I must have left it on the plane,” I shrugged. “At least I hope I did. Did you hear back from my mother about a gift?”
“Not yet, but the mall is closed now anyways. We’ll have to get something tomorrow.” Sawyer looked again at his cell. “Not that it matters. This little girl is going to be so spoiled.”
“You think your parents will be better grandparents?” I asked.
“Not at all. They’ll swoop in with loads of gifts and be all about it until they need to travel again,” Sawyer said. “I give it, at most, a week.”
“Yeah. Sorry, man. But you know my mother will be all about it for the long haul, just like she was with you, Kellan, and Cota.” I said, trying to make him feel better.
He loved his parents, and they were really nice people, even if they were very much on the snobby elite side of life. But my mother had stepped in and included them in everything we did. We reached the security office in time to find the security guard leaving to do his rounds.
“Hi. How did you guys get into the mall?” the security guard asked suspiciously. “I thought everyone was out already.”
“Hi. I’m Asher Hawthorne. My family just bought this mall, and we were in the offices working. What’s your name?” I put my hand out to shake. “We’ll be here for a few weeks working on the renovations, and some nights we may be here late. But what I stopped by to ask is if anyone turned in a cell phone?”
“The name’s Logan. I’m a temporary security guard for tonight. No one came in tonight, but Toby, the regular guard, has been here for five years. If you have any questions, he’s your man,” Logan answered proudly. “As far as a phone, you can ask him tomorrow and I’ll leave him a note about it.”
“I’m not certain I lost it in the mall, but if you can ask Toby to call me, please,” I replied. “If I did drop it, I think it would have been by the Santa workshop.”
“You should stop by and ask the elves. I think the one in charge is named Paige.” Logan tried to be helpful. “What did the phone look like, so I can leave it on the note?”
