Santa's Secret

In my teens, the festival used to be my favorite winter event, followed by the town’s ice hockey game. This was really the only time I could hit Dominic, if we were lucky enough to be on opposite teams, and get away with it. While I enjoy ice-skating, hockey is something I’d rather watch, and my parents knew this. Yet, they encouraged me to play in this one game.

The booth my father asked me to work at today stands before me. My name is etched onto an arch above the window, and below it says, “Meet and Greet” and there are stanchions set up. The plan is to hand out tickets so I’m not stuck here all night. I want to enjoy the festival as well. Never in my career has my dad asked me for anything special until the other day, but I’m happy to do this for him.

“What do you think?” Dad asks Calvin and me. I’m more concerned with what Calvin has to say since it’s his job to protect me.

“How’s this going to work?” Calvin asks.

“Well, I’m going to sit in the booth and give every good looking guy a kiss!” I glance at both men, watching their faces morph into anger and regret. “Just kidding,” I sa

y.

“I was about to cancel this booth,” Dad adds. “Anyway, people will line up at the opening. Everyone must have a ticket, which they can get at the information booth. Delaney will meet with people for two hours each night.”

“And what about photos?” Calvin asks. “If she’s in the booth, it might be sort of hard.”

“People can lean in or whatever,” I tell Calvin. “Some may not want a photo.” My dad and Calvin look at me doubtfully and I shrug.

Calvin checks out the structure, making sure it’s sturdy enough to withstand the onslaught of people that will be coming toward me. There’s a small space heater inside, meant to keep me warm. I appreciate the thought because it’s downright cold right now. Not all the top winter gear can keep the chill away, unfortunately.

Of course, each time I shiver, my mind races to Trey and how I should be on the beach, basking under the warmth of the sun, not freezing in the frozen tundra. I don’t want to think about him and what he’s doing, but I can’t help it. I let him walk all over me because I was lonely and the only positive thing that has come out of it is being home. And Aiden, although he shouldn’t be a reason, since I haven’t seen or spoken to him since I left his house. I was at church that morning, listening to people talk about us. I thought about standing up and telling everyone that they had it wrong, but my mother told me it wouldn’t do any good.

“Everything looks good here,” Calvin says after he’s finished his inspection. “Now what?”

“Now,” my dad says, pointing toward the front of the park. “We kick off the holiday season right.” Calvin and I follow my dad toward the town Christmas tree. It’s been the same one we’ve decorated for as long as I can remember. People line up at the trellis lit with white lights, when they could easily go around the trees and enter the park that way. However, they respect my father and do as he’s asked.

My dad takes his place behind a podium. My mom is there and she pulls me into a half hug. Dominic and Calvin shake hands before Dom takes his place next to Mom, with Calvin behind me. Dad motions for the first couple of people to come through, opening the floodgates. Behind us, carolers start to sing, bringing a huge grin to my father’s face. I think this is my dad’s favorite part of being mayor.

“Good evening. I’m happy to see so many familiar faces, as well as some I haven’t seen before. To you, I say welcome to Ramona Falls. As you may or may not know, actress and my beautiful daughter, Delaney Du Luca is here and will be in the booth right over there,” he pauses and points to his right. “Signing autographs and taking pictures. Behind me, our holiday vendors are set-up and ready for business. Don’t forget to pick up your apple pie or one of Mrs. Beasley’s scarves. They keep the winter chill away. Now without much further ado.” Dad turns and faces us. The four of us together put our hands on the light switch and flip it up. The tree bursts into an array of color. Everyone in the crowd oohs and aahs before they start clapping.

Once the tree is lit and people start dispersing, Calvin takes me by the arm and leads me through the maze of people. This is really the first time he’s had to work since he arrived. He’s different now, more gruff and unforgiving to people who are in his way. While we were busy with the tree lighting someone was kind enough to turn on the space heater, and while I may be toasty warm, Calvin surely isn’t. Not that he’d complain. He takes his post outside, standing in front of my booth with one hand clasped over the other, his shoulder square and his head tilted back slightly, causing his chin to jut out. Calvin looks mean, but I think he’s nothing more than a giant teddy bear.

For two hours, I sign my name on anything from a napkin to pictures of myself from various magazines. One woman brought in every ticket stub from my movies and had them in a nice shadow box, which she insisted I sign. I was hesitant, fearing I would ruin her project, but she was adamant.

When I see Fish standing among the rest of the people in line, my hand writes a bit faster and I’m shooing people along more quickly. It’s finally his turn. He smiles and looks down at Holly, who is beaming ear to ear with one of the biggest grins I have seen all week.

“Delaney,” she says as she rushes toward my booth. “I’ve missed you.”

“You saw me the other day at school,” I remind her, although our encounter was brief as we were rehearsing for the play.

“But it’s not the same.”

No, it’s definitely not because I’d give anything to be at her house, wrapped in a blanket with her on my lap, listening to her read me a story or singing me her favorite Christmas song.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” I tell her, avoiding all eye contact with Aiden. I fear if I look at him, I’ll see the turmoil he’s been going through.

“Why?” Holly asks.

Because I like your daddy. “Because we need a picture together. Would you like that?”

Her head bobs up and down so fast I fear it may pop off. “O.M.Geeeeee,” she squeals. I have no choice but to look at Aiden to make sure he’s okay, not that I’d expect him to have a problem with us taking a photo together, but some parents are leery.

This time though, I step out of my little box and come around to the front. A few people who are standing on the outside of my roped area try to make a mad dash, but Calvin is there to create a barricade. I crouch down next to Holly and place my arm around her waist, pulling her closer. I haven’t done this with any other fans today. I don’t know what possesses me to do this with her, maybe it’s because she’s Aiden’s daughter and I want him to know… well, I’m not exactly sure what I want Aiden to know. Part of me wants to spend more time with him, but the logical part of me wants to keep my distance so neither of us gets hurt. Especially, Aiden because he’s already been through so much with losing his wife.

Holly and I pose for her dad. He smiles the entire time he’s snapping pictures. When he finally drops his camera, I stand, but don’t take my hand off of Holly. She looks up at me, smiling. I hope I’m giving her something to hang onto because she’s definitely giving me something.

“What are you guys doing later?”

Aiden shakes his head slightly. “Nothing, really. Hanging out around here, I guess.”