“It’s a float perk!” Molly replied, unwrapping her candy. “You ride the float, you get to sneak a bite. You want some?”
She carefully tied the paper prize to another cane. Nicholas’ first instinct was to decline what was just sugar and more sugar.
But instead, he held out the palm of his hand. “Just a little.”
Molly grinned and broke her candy cane in half. “The purple and green are the tastiest.”
She discreetly handed him the candy cane piece and he broke out into a huge grin. “Molly Carmichael. Such a rebel.”
Molly winked and it seemed as if she was going to say something, but their conversation was interrupted by Hannah’s shouting voice coming from the driver’s side of the float. “Are you guys ready? The float’s about to move!”
“All clear!” Molly shouted back before moving towards Nicholas’ side. She held onto the railing directly behind each of them, yelling once more. “It’s a go from the Clauses!”
Hannah gave them both a thumbs-up from inside the driver’s portion of the float, and started up the engine. The float rumbled to life.
“So, everyone’s going to see us up here?” Nicholas grimaced, looking down at the red velvet and fluffy white of the beard. He'd hoped it he'd only have to have the kids see him in the town square, but now the entire parade route would see him. “No turning back now?”
“Nope. No turning back at all,” Molly repeated. She smiled over at Nicholas as she took another candy cane from his side of the tree again.
“Hey!” Nicholas exclaimed in protest, shocked by Molly’s candy cane theft.
“What can I say? A rebel’s gonna rebel.” Molly broke into a laugh, one that echoed all over the float.
And soon, Nicholas found himself laughing beside her, too.
* * *
The parade was an extravagant affair and as various floats passed in front of them, Nicholas realized that the candy cane tree with Mr. and Mrs. Claus was now the grand finale to the whole thing.
As he looked around the parade, Nicholas noted women dressed in bright candy cane colors, men manning chocolate fountains and gumdrop umbrellas, and children lining the street, their hands outstretched for incoming candy.
Everyone was smiling and happy. People were hugging and laughing. It looked like families were sitting together and with friends. He didn't see an unhappy face in the crowd.
He started to wave, grinning as children cheered when he waved to them.
“There’s the Christmas spirit,” Molly said, grinning at him. She bent down towards the float’s floor. When she popped back up, she was holding a large bag of assorted candy. “Here, Mr. Claus. Do you mind throwing this out of your side of the float?”
Nicholas shook his head, as he grabbed onto the candy bag. “Are we supposed to be saving some of this for later? Or are we throwing it all at once?”
Nicholas’ question was immediately answered by Molly’s actions as she dumped her own bag of candy along the side of the float. Children screamed in delight, running into the street with laughter as they filled their hands with candies.
“Greg! Don’t grab any of the red ones! You don’t even like strawberry! And Veronica! Aren’t you allergic to chocolate? Don’t make me go through your bag!” Molly called out to the children. Her tone was light and playful, even as she instructed the children on which candies they should be taking from the street.
And Nicholas found himself smiling in awe, and in amusement.
How in the world did Ms. Molly remember so much about each and every child in her class?
It was absurd. It was wonderful.
He imagined Molly would be much the same way with her own children someday in the future, granting them access to way-too-much candy while still being careful to remember their likes and dislikes. It was who she was.
Children called to him, breaking into his thoughts. Nicholas then tried to throw his own candy from his side of the float, but the candy all came out in one big lump.
Liam happened to be near the scene of Nicholas’ accident and he accepted all of the candy as if it were a large prize. “Thanks, Santa!”
“Anytime, Liam. Anytime.”
Liam's eyes went wide and the grin that filled his face was pure joy. Nicholas heard him run back to the other kids. “Santa knew my name! He's got to be the real guy!”