Bryce was sitting on his side of the table when I returned.
“Are we ready to open?” he asked. “The manager gave me a sign to put up and two tip jars. Just say the word and we’ll get rolling.”
“Yeah. Fine,” I huffed. “Do you even know how to wrap presents? Because I’m pretty good at it. So I’d be worried if I were you.”
He shrugged. “I can’t remember the last time I wrapped anything, actually.”
“Then why don’t you just give up this game?”
“Look…I made a promise to a little boy to try to get this damn robot, so I’m doing whatever it takes.”
“You and me both.”
As soon as we put the sign up, a few people started to line up to have their presents wrapped.
My first customer was an easy one, just a simple, square box. I took my time making the finished product look perfect.
The woman beamed after I handed it to her. “What a beautifully tied ribbon. Thank you so much.” She left me a five-dollar bill.
Score.
“You’re very welcome. Merry Christmas!” Smiling, I looked over at Bryce to find him struggling to wrap an oddly shaped cylindrical package. “Need some help with that?”
“Not if I have to fork over my tip.” He laughed.
The older woman waiting for Bryce let out a frustrated breath.
Bryce kept trying to get the sides just right, but was failing miserably.
He finally handed her the most warped wrap job you’d ever laid eyes on and said, “Forgive my wrapping skills. I’m here to earn money for charity and trying to win a present for a special little kid. And…can I be honest?”
“Okay…” she said, not seeming very amused.
“I’ve been…a little distracted.” He paused. “By your eyes.”
What is he pulling?
She clutched the present to her chest. “My eyes?”
“Yeah. They’re the most unique color of green I’ve ever seen. And I mean that in the best possible way. Sort of a…mix of gray, green, and gold.” He grinned. “Stunning.”
The woman pushed a piece of her hair behind her ear. “Well…thank you. I can’t say anyone has ever told me that before.”
“Shame, really.”
“You know what?” She literally fanned herself, then said, “I’ll just take this home and throw it in a bag I already have.”
To my dismay, she then placed a twenty-dollar bill into Bryce’s jar and strutted away looking like she had a new lease on life.
Twenty? I would never be able to catch up if this was his game.
Meanwhile my current customer had me wrapping a fake potted plant, which was a challenge to get right. And he left me a single buck.
After that guy left, I turned to Bryce and cracked, “I guess the only consolation of your swindling ways is that the money is going to charity.”
“How am I swindling? That woman walked away happier than she was before she stopped here. She got something out of it. Win-win for everyone.”
Except me, I suppose.
My son had asked for one thing this Christmas. One thing. And I couldn’t deliver. Of course, it had to be the “hot item” of the season. But he really didn’t ask for much year-round.
It’s going to kill me to have to disappoint him if I can’t make this work.
Relief washed over me to find that Bryce’s next customer was a big, burly man. He wore a leather motorcycle vest and had some chains hanging from his jeans.
Good luck charming that one with your flirting, loverboy.
As I placed tape on a simple rectangular box while a teenager impatiently waited, I glanced over at Bryce as he struggled to wrap the man’s teddy bear.
“Dude, I don’t have all day,” the guy groaned.
I chuckled.
Bryce apologized. “I’m really sorry. I’m new at this wrapping thing.”
“Look. I don’t mean to be a dick, but I’m late in picking up my son. I only have him tonight. Then I have to take him back to his mother’s for Christmas with her and her new husband. It’s hard enough competing with them, and now you’re eating into my time with my son. So, I’m a little frustrated.”
Bryce nodded. “Are you a single dad?”
“Yeah…” he muttered.
Bryce looked him in the eyes. “It’s not easy, is it? My parents were divorced, too, and my dad did the best he could making his house a home for me. I wish I could go back and tell him that he didn’t need to worry. That he was always enough for me. He didn’t need to go over and above to constantly prove himself.” Bryce handed the man the bear that had crinkled paper all around it and said, “If no one else tells you this, you heard it from me. You’re doing a good job, sir. You’re a good dad. And your son is lucky to have you.”
Jesus. This behemoth man looked like he was about to cry like a baby. With red eyes, he took the misshapen package from Bryce before slapping a ten down on the table. He wiped his lids. “Thanks, man, I really needed that.” He sniffled.