There I was again, in my silly-assed Elf costume. Yes, I was trying to make some extra money. No, it wasn't for presents. It was because my heater was on the fritz again, and it gets cold this time of the year. Oh, I could have chopped some wood. That is if I was tall enough to lift my dad's ax enough to do some good. Then there was all the cleaning out of the old chimney... anyway it was too much work, or money. I had neither the time or funds, so here I was trying to make enough to get ripped off by the repair man again.
Yes, before you ask. I fit the elf description like the preverbal glove. I'm five feet two inches tall, five four in my hooker heels... yes I have the long curly ribbons of Chestnut colored hair and the little perky... got I hate that term... nose.
Today my thirty C breasts were being ogled by the teenage set, as they were being pressured into family time by parents who were hoping for at least one more family orientated Christmas, before they get too old to enjoy it.
Yes, I was thankful that my parents left me the house. But still it wasn't that great of a deal. Sure I don't have to worry about a place to live. That is if it doesn't fall down around my ears from my lousy repair skills. It would really great if I could find a boyfriend who knows all about home repair to help me on the weekends. The only problem with that... I'm into girls. Well, women actually.
Anyway, I was standing there, my cheeks hurting, as I smiled at all the little children and their parents as they came to see George. Or rather George dressed up as the Jolly fat-man, who would make their lives better, when he brought all the cool presents on Christmas Eve. Not the best place to meet a prospective date or mate, but it did pay well for a short time.
The rest of the time I was stuck doing my normal job at the daycare center. Yep, I'm a teacher. Not that I'd ever become a millionaire, but I did love my kids and they loved me, most days.
"Have a Merry Christmas." I waved at the little girl sitting on George's lap as I tried to snap the picture before she could cloud up and cry again. I sighed as I saw the line of kids around Santa's Village. I knew it was going to be a long one. "Here's you candy cane. You be a good girl now." I'd patted her head and send her to her parents who look tired and bored. Then I turned around and saw her. She was wrangling two little twin boys in a single stroller.
"Hi... welcome to Santa's workshop." I greeted her.
"Hi, they just want to sit on Santa's lap.... I can't afford the picture." She said with sad eyes.
"And who are these two cute little ones?" I asked, keeping in character. It was hard. She was exactly the type I'd be interested in. She was medium height, well built and just all around sexy. I didn't want to be drooling over her when the husband came up to gather his prizes at the other end of the line.
"Jacob and Joey...." She tried to smile as she looked around. She leaned down to me and whispered. "Please tell Santa not to promise anything. I can't afford it... we're here just to keep warm and they begged for this." I saw the wounded pride as she told me just how bad things were for her and her kids.
"Right this way..." I nodded and smiled. I helped the boys onto George's lap.
"Well Hello and what do you want for Christmas?" George boomed in his great big Santa voice.
"A new home, a new bed, and Mommy not to cry anymore." One little boy said as his brother just sucked his thumb and sniffed. "I'd like a new Teddy too if I've been really good." He finished, looking up with pure trust.
"Yea, I'd wanna new Mr. Bunny... We lost ours in the fire." The other brother finally said and then stuffed his thumb in his mouth again.
I had to take a deep breath before I said. "Merry Christmas!" and took their picture. I know the mom said no picture, but I'd cover it. These kids really needed a Merry Christmas if anyone did.
George still in his role asked. "Well maybe your Daddy will be able to find you what you need, before I have to hunt you down this year, because I know you two are on my good list." He chuckled and hugged the boys, trying to make them smile.
"We don't have a daddy... we never did." The talkative boy said seriously. "Grandma says we're better off; because he was nothin but a two timing woser." He added, not really knowing what he was parroting.
I took a second to look over at the mother. I looked past the blush, to the too thin blouse, and old oversized coat that covered her wounded pride. I could see she had suffered. I could also see that she loved her boys more than anything else in the world. I took an extra candy cane and held them out to the wounded woman.
"Merry Christmas...!" I said and handed her the picture and candy canes.
"But I can't..." She said, trying to look like she was looking for her obviously empty wallet.
"Don't worry about it. It's been taken care of. I hope you get everything you deserve this year." I smiled my best elf smile and winked, before turning around and tending to the next child in the too long line.
***
The rest of the day, as I watched the covertness of the other children, as they asked for the next biggest bestest toy that cost more than my car. I kept thinking about that woman and her twins. It made me realize just how far this season had wandered away from what it was supposed to mean. No child really needed the new X-box thingy that moved when you did, so they didn't have to hold a remote anymore.
I was heartedly thanking God, when eight o'clock finally got there. My feet and smile were both flat. I was too tired to even scold the teenager when he tried to pinch my butt, as I tried to walk past to the changing room. I knew I had to get home and get ready for the next week at my regular job and wash the elf costume so I didn't have to run home in between jobs. One more week and if my bosses were in a really good mood, I might have enough to keep warm throughout the rest of the winter.
As I was walking out, I saw her again. She was hanging out next to the pizza place. I knew Quan, the owner of the Pizza place, was good about letting people have the extra pizza he had left over. He would have thrown it away, so if someone was there, he would offer it freely. I've even know him to bake an extra because he knew someone was waiting and hungry.
I even watched him add some extra pieces before he handed her the box. "Merry Christmas" He said in his broken English and handed the boys a free breadstick. "If you need, I'll have extra... not tomorrow, but next day. I take tomorrow off." He nodded as she blushed again.
"Thank you. I'll repay you as soon as I can...." She promised.
"You just pray for Quan; and God will pay." He smiled and walked away.
"Mommy look it... it's Santa's elf... isn't she pretty?" One of the twins said with awe in his voice.
"Yes Joey, she is pretty. But I think she's tired and has to get her rest for tomorrow."
"Can we see her tomorrow?" He asked smiling at me.
