Christmas with his Leopard (Shifter Special Forces Book 8) by Summer Donnelly

Author:Summer Donnelly [Donnelly, Summer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-11-09T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 4—the Rec Center

Sun

Sun’s parents had never gone all out to celebrate Christmas. Maybe it was growing up in a country where religion wasn’t encouraged. Perhaps it was the trailing ends of the ideal of Juche, or the Kim philosophy of self-reliance. Maybe, too, it was the influence of Chondoism, the religion most favored by the North Korean government.

Whatever the reason, when they emigrated to the United States, they went through the show of Christmas but not in the over-the-top way their neighbors often did. There were no miles of white lights adorning their house, no hot-air balloon Santas on their front yard, and certainly no pilgrimage to the mall for a visit with Saint Nick.

But as Sun put on her little green elf costume, she began to see the charm in the distinct way Americans celebrated the holiday. From the big parade on Thanksgiving to Christmas shopping, the month was fully booked with parties, celebrations, and laughter.

Over the loudspeaker, Brenda Lee crooned and encouraged everyone to rock around their Christmas tree. People young and old were humming or singing the familiar tune. The songs tied them together.

In one corner, a black and white version of A Christmas Carol entertained people while they waited. Sun smiled. All the same, movies were dusted off each December and wrapped around each childhood giving the diverse American population a hive-like memory. Briefly, she wondered if that was part of the reason why totalitarian regimes needed to end such holiday frivolities.

“Ready to see Santa?” Sun asked the next child in line.

The little girl nodded shyly and put her hand on Sun’s. “I’m a little nervous. I’ve never met Santa before,” she confided. Her eyes seemed large and afraid in her tiny face.

Sun winked at her. “I have it on good authority, he’s a pretty nice guy. And I hear there’s a gift involved for you at the end.”

But still, the little girl waited, breathing. Sun understood her immediately and didn’t push. After several deep breaths, the little girl smiled and tightened her grip. “I’m ready.”

One by one, the kids were brought up, posed with Santa, and received a small gift donated by town businesses. Sun smiled as her elf counterpart ushered the child back to their parents and handed out candy canes.

Despite the noise, Sun let herself relax. This was her community now, and she wanted to see the kids laughing, the parents talking, and the brotherhood that existed in this tucked away mountain town.

Tamara and Cree were getting punch, and she waved to her friends. A woman from their yoga class approached and complimented her on the stylish jaunt of her elf outfit. She’d only been there a few weeks, but this was her home. A bubble of hope swelled within Sun as the future loomed bright and cheerful ahead of her.

But just as she let herself relax into the party, the unmistakable scent of kimchi washed over her. The ripe, earthy tones of fermented cabbage assaulted her nose, and just like that, Sun was back in Korea.

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