Santa's Secret

I stay up in my room, unpacking. Every so often, my mom comes up to chat, telling me about the latest gossip. That’s the thing about Ramona Falls, gossip changes here like a clock changes time. Nothing gets past my mother, which is probably another reasons why I never dated seriously in high school. I can’t even imagine how I’d feel if someone told my mom they caught me making out behind the shed at the lake. It’d be so embarrassing. It’s ironic that I moved away from here to Hollywood, which is an even bigger place for juicy details. It seems I need the gossip to survive.

When I was little, I used to wait for my dad to come home from work by sitting on my knees on my mother’s “do not touch” couch with my stomach pressed to the back, trying to get as close to the window as possible. I’d wait until his car pulled into the driveway, then I’d rush to the door, eager to give him a hug. I remember he smelled like oil from working at the factory. I used to love that smell.

It wasn’t until I was in high school when he ran for mayor and won. Honestly, no one expected him to win because he lacked experience, but the margin of victory was a landslide and we went from a blue-collar family to what I call a dingy-white collar family. My mom still works at the bank. My brother’s a police officer. While I may be an actress, I’ve never forgotten my roots.

And that is why I’m sitting on my mother’s sofa, with my chin resting on my hands, watching and waiting for the headlights of my dad’s car to appear so I can run to the door and wrap my arms around his shoulders.

Six

Aiden

I wish I could say my day became increasingly better after my attempted lunch with Holly, but it didn’t. Eileen and Dominic took it upon themselves, probably with great pleasure, to decorate my locker with pictures of Delaney and left comments all over them, making it seem as if Delaney were asking for leniency with her speeding ticket. She didn’t receive a ticket, so their joke is not very funny. Although, when I saw my locker, I looked past the ridiculous words and focused on her beauty. She was a stunner back in high school, and now she’s even more gorgeous. Now that I’ve seen her in the flesh, I can’t shake her from my mind.

As for the rest of my day, I’m currently parked outside of Shelby’s house, contemplating what I’m going to say to her when I knock on the door to retrieve Holly. I rehearse the words repeatedly, thanking her for taking her afterschool. In my mind, I reach for Holly’s hand and we beat feet to the truck before Shelby can say anything.

Every so often, I look toward her house and see her standing in her large picture window. I hope that she knows it’s me, lurking in the darkness, and isn’t about to call the police on me, not least because if she did, it’d likely be one of my colleagues who answered the call and I’ve had enough teasing from them today. It’s hard though, to get out of the truck and walk toward the door. I don’t know if it’s because when I look at her house, I envision what Heather and I had thought our living room would look like at Christmas time, with a large tree lit and decorated for our neighbors to see. Knowing that reality is so far from happening really twists the knife in my chest, yet I’m determined to make it happen for Holly.

Shelby opens the door before I have a chance to ring the doorbell. Instantly, I’m swaddled in warmth. “Come in,” she says, holding the screen door open. I do, and stand on the doormat, waiting for Holly to come rushing at me. Shelby brushes against me as she closes the door. I want to think it’s innocent, but I’m not so sure. My sister has been trying to push us together for months now. “You can come in. The girls are in the kitchen.” Shelby motions toward her kitchen, at least I’m assuming it’s where her kitchen is located.

“Do I need to take off my shoes?”

“Nah, don’t worry about them.” She motions again, and this time I follow her into her large kitchen where her daughter, Shawna, and Holly are setting the table.

“Hey, Daddy, you’re just in time for dinner.”

“Dinner?” I ask, looking from my daughter to Shelby and back again.

“The girls were hungry and I didn’t want to spoil their dinner with cookies so I made a batch of spaghetti. You’re welcomed to stay.”

By the looks of the table, they were expecting me to stay. I don’t want to be rude, but I also want to get home. Holly and I need to have a long talk about manners and respect, especially when we’re in public. However, by the look I’m getting from my daughter, leaving now isn’t an option. Yet another point I’m going to have to talk to her about.

“Thanks.” I nod at Shelby, who returns my gesture with a smile. “So where am I sitting?” I ask the girls as I make my way to the table. There are four places set, two on each side. Both girls point, opposite of where they’re standing. I have a feeling this is a set-up though, especially as they both sit across from me.

Shelby brings everything to the table and refuses to let me help her. I feel like a clod, sitting here, as if she’s supposed to serve me. I should be doing something since she slaved over the stove to prepare a meal for my daughter and me, and even though it’s only pasta, there’s still an effort needed.

After Shelby places the food on the table, I stand and dish up the plates for the girls. It’s the least I can do. Much to Holly’s displeasure, I make her a bowl of salad, knowing it’s not her favorite. She eyes me, but doesn’t say anything, which is probably for the best.

“How was work?” Shelby asks after she sits down. I pause, mid-bite and let her qu

estion sink in. I don’t know her, at least not well. We see each other at school, our girls play together, and my sister talks about her non-stop, but that’s the extent of our relationship. I suppose, sitting at her table and eating her food has moved us to a different status.

“He pulled over Delaney Du Luca,” Holly says for me, shaking her head. I do believe there’s a slight eye roll going on as well.

“I heard that, but it took me awhile to piece together why everyone was up in arms.”

I clear my throat after swallowing. “Laney’s from here,” I tell Shelby. “She’s Ramona Falls’ sweetheart. Plus, her dad is the mayor.”

Shelby nods and returns her attention to her food. I do the same and try to keep my head down.

“But other than embarrassing the actress, work went well?”

“Yeah, I mean there isn’t much happening in Ramona Falls.”

“I once had my dolly stolen from my front yard. My mama called you, but you never came,” Shawna says as she sits back in her chair and crosses her arms.

I glance at Shelby, who looks mortified. I have a feeling she never called, but told Shawna she did. “I’m sure if I were working that day, I would’ve come right over and investigated.”

Shelby’s leg touches mine under the table. I’m going to take that as her silent thank you and let it go so I can enjoy the dinner she’s prepared for us. Throughout the course of the meal and dessert, the girls tell us about their day, talking about art class and how they’re having to create their own snowmen for the winter festival coming up. They tell us their artwork will be on display for everyone to see.