It was Christmas Eve, just before midnight. Away from home for the first time, John and Ben, both 18, were just watching TV in the small old house they had rented on the outskirts of town. That's all they could afford while going to university. They were a little bit high and joking around. Ben complained that his girlfriend was stuck up and wouldn't even let him get to first base.
"She just pushes me away when I touch her tits. What kind of girlfriend is that? How can I learn anything that way?"
"Well Ben at least you have a girlfriend. I just keep striking out."
"My cock is so lonely I'd take any female who walks through that door."
"Ben, when has any girl walked through that door?"
"Well, who knows, it can happen. And then, I swear I'll get some."
"Bet you no female comes through that door and if one does, you'd get no where."
"OK, two bucks says some girl knocks on that door."
"You're on but it has to be by 1am tonight so it'll be our Christmas present. And you have to get her to stay and do me too."
"OK as if that'll happen. Anyway I'm hungry what's in the fridge?"
"Nothing, forgot to shop. Here's a flyer from Benny's Pizza. Let's order in, it says he's open until midnight. That gives us 5 minutes."
Wu Mei was so tired. Her legs felt like jelly. She'd been working at the pizza parlor since 10am just like the last 5 days. She was exhausted and anxious to go home on the last bus in 15 minutes. Her life was very unhappy. She came to America 3 years ago, 42 yrs old, couldn't find a good job and her husband was refused entry because he did something stupid back in Shanghai. Wu Mei couldn't even afford airfare to visit him. Three years without a husband and no friends. She was stuck in this menial job serving tables for a really mean boss. Her boss, Benny, let everyone else go home earlier and she was stuck there for 14 hours! Worse, for Christmas she had to wear this silly costume: green stockings (not even panty hose but actual nylon stockings and she had to buy them herself or get fired) A short red velvet skirt and a sheer white blouse and a Santa helper hat. She also had to wear red panties and bra. She had to smile and tell everyone she was Santa's helper. Just a few minutes and she can go home.
"Hey Mrs. Zhou we have a delivery."
Wu Mei said, "Can't. You send delivery mans all home."
"Mrs. Zhou you do the delivery then."
"I can't. Last bus 15 minutes. Need go home."
"Do the delivery or get another job bitch. You think you can come to this country and just work when you feel like it? Take the delivery car home and bring the money in the morning."
Wu Mei almost cried. She was so tired and now this. "And don't forget to tell them you're Santa's helper!"
Bad snow storm, roads very slippery and a hard to find street but Wu Mei finally found the old house. It was hard to park the car (too much snow) and she worried about getting it started again. No door bell. She knocked and waited in the freezing cold.
"Hey John pizza's here."
"Then open the door dummy."
"Hi, is that our pizza?" There was some Chinese woman standing there in a thin coat, shivering and holding the pizza.
Wu Mei said "I Santa helper, Merry Christmas. Pizza."
"Come in and I'll get the money."
"John, is it 1am yet?"
"No. Why?"
"Christmas present just arrived."
He gave her the money and she fumbled to open her coat because her pockets were inside. The guys saw a middle-aged Chinese woman in a funny costume. They grinned and said "What kind of clothes are those?"
"I Santa helper" she pouted and put the money in her pocket.
Ben thought fast. "Would you like a drink?"
"Sorry, need go home." She headed back to the car.
"Christmas present came and went. You owe me two bucks."
Wu Mei got in the car. It started but wouldn't go forward. She burst out crying. Then decided to knock on the customer's door and ask for help.
"Hey Ben someone''s at the door. Go see. I'm busy cutting the pizza."
Ben went to look. The delivery woman. She was crying, saying something about the car not working. He said "You wait here I'll take a look."