Oh, Christmas Tea by Lori Wolf-Heffner

Author:Lori Wolf-Heffner [Wolf-Heffner, Lori]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781989465226
Publisher: Head in the Ground Publishing

Pauline rested in the back room at the café, Cupid’s head sitting on the table, staring at her. She’d already done four forty-five-minute stints so far, and she was drenched with sweat. But the day was almost over, Gary and his family still hadn’t come, and her nerves were getting the better of her. Pauline’s mind whirled with memories of the lies he’d told her and her fears of what he might tell her today, if he even showed up and if they talked at all. She tried to tie all of the feelings back inside the imaginary bag she stored those memories in.

“I love what I do, Cupid,” she said to her costume’s head. “This job would mean one character. That would be so much fun! I’d make up stories for him—or her—and I’d probably get to know the regular fans. And I’d have a single, regular pay cheque.” A more perfect job than this couldn’t have fallen into her lap at a more perfect time—Christmas. Wasn’t this the season of miracles?

If it is, why is Gary coming? she wondered. The more she thought about him, the more the memories from that day—her university’s homecoming football game—filled her with dread. Seeing Gary in person would bring it all back, like a slam dunk for the opposing team.

Jan walked in, her hair and make-up styled as befitted a hairstylist of almost fifty years. Richard followed in his Santa costume. Both helped themselves to water.

“I’m getting some great footage Claire can use for advertising and memories,” Jan said, smiling at her best friend’s daughter. “You have to see this.” She found a place on the video with Claire beaming as Pauline teased some kids, ruffling their hair, acting silly, and just all around making them happy. Pauline’s eyes moistened. She’d never seen her mother’s reaction to her performances before.

Richard unhooked his beard. “I don’t know how men with beards do this.” He put the water bottle to his mouth.

Jan laughed. “For starters, they have beards of realistic lengths and fullness. If you grow one, I’ll help you keep it trim.”

“No, thanks, but thanks.” Richard toasted his plastic water bottle with Jan’s. “Here’s to clean-shaven faces and proud mothers and fathers.”

An awkward silence hung in the air, and Pauline could guess why. Her mother would’ve told Jan about the opportunity in Toronto; there was nothing those two women didn’t share with one another.

“I know what you’re both thinking, and you have nothing to worry about. I’m fine.” She downed the rest of her bottle.

Last night, when Claire had offered to let her stay home today, Pauline had considered accepting. But seeing her mother’s reaction on that video, plus spending time amidst children’s laughter today made her glad she had come.

She slipped Cupid’s head back on, fastened the chinstrap, and looked in her mirror. Her mind enmeshed itself with the costume’s confident, friendly, playful personality, but thoughts about Gary continued to push forward. Why was he dragging out the suspense like this?

“I’m sweltering, and I’m not wearing a foam head,” Richard said.

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