“Asher, stop playing on your cell and come have some cake,” my mother scolded from across the room. “Whatever girl you’re flirting with can wait.”
“It’s not like that.” I put my cell in my pocket and joined the family. “Isn’t this a party about a baby? I don’t hear any babies crying.”
“Babies don’t always cry, and this one may never with all of these aunts and uncles to hold her.” Poppy pointed to Mia holding Willow. “Pretty soon it’s your turn again.”
“I did my time already.”
Chapter 19
Paige
“Ihope JoAnn comes soon. Why wouldn’t they make sure we knew about a special?” I said to Sherry.
Our line had died down just as JoAnn arrived, with Toby following behind her carrying signs. She placed the signs facing in two different directions, then walked over to me and Sherry.
“Girls, I ‘m so sorry no one came and spoke with you. The advertising company had this promotion all planned but, when the snowstorm hit and everyone went home early, we thought it would be postponed.” JoAnn continued without a pause. “What I’m trying to say is wires got crossed and here we are now. Let’s see if we can salvage it.”
“It’s not a problem. Thankfully, we didn’t have many customers.” I took a paper she was handing each of us. “What’s the plan?”
“In the box Toby just sat on your counter are what we are calling Santa’s Autograph Book.” JoAnn pulled one out of her pocket. “Once a customer gets a Santa picture, they get a book. The idea promoted is if they want to be on Santa’s nice list they have to go to every business in the mall, tell every employee Merry Christmas, sing a Christmas carol, then get signatures.”
“Cute idea, but what happens when the book is filled?” I asked. “I assume they bring it back.”
“Yes, they report back with a filled book. There’s a tear-away page in the back that says they filled the book.” JoAnn pulled something else out of her pocket. “One of the elves will verify that they filled it with a special elf stamp that says NICE. Then that page goes in Santa’s sack.”
“I assume you’ll be bringing a Santa sack?” I looked around for it.
“The sack is on its way. I don’t think anyone will be back in the next hour with it filled, so we’re okay,” JoAnn assured.
“I think that’s so cute. They get to do something nice and get on the desired NICE list.” I nodded in agreement. “Is there more?”
“There is. Every one of those pages stamped NICE in Santa’s sack go into a drawing to win a trip. The trip is a fully paid week at a Walt Disney World resort and park.”
“Wow! Can I play?” Sherry and I said at the same time. “What about the people who already had pictures last week or the week before?”
“They just have to bring in a receipt or a photo with Santa from this year.” JoAnn turned to leave, then back to us. “I’m going to have a list of Christmas carols to hand out with the books.”
“Is there going to be more stuff like this?” I pointed to a crew delivering big boxes. “Because that looks like something bigger than an autograph book.”
“Those are jumbo gum drops.” JoAnn gestured for us to follow her. “It’s been suggested by an undisclosed source that there should be a valley of gumdrops and all these trees to wind through to get to Santa.”
“Sounds like someone with great ideas,” I grinned.
JoAnn left us to carry out the special. Sherry said she’d take the only two customers since she’d be leaving soon. I sat on the floor watching them set up the valley of gum drops. It looked so cute. They added fake grass and a little hill.
I guess that Asher guy told the new owners my idea.
I looked back to the workshop to see the line getting longer. Sherry waved for me to come back. The rest of the afternoon kept a steady flow of customers. People really liked the special. I could hear Christmas caroling going on down both corridors of the mall.
“Hey, Sherry, I’m gonna take a fifteen minute break while the line is gone.” I stood to leave then went back to my purse.
“I leave in an hour, so take longer if you want. I know you won’t get a break the rest of the night,” Sherry called to me.
I walked the mall a little, watching the families caroling. I wanted to join them, but having no family and being on the outside would always be my life. I stopped by the jewelry store and waved to Kim. She tapped her watch and held up five fingers indicating we had five hours ‘til closing. I made a quick run to the bathroom and was back at the workshop in twenty minutes.
I wonder if the cell person texted.
There was only one customer and Sherry had it under control. I pulled the cell out of a pocket in my purse. One of my wigs fell out in the process, reminding me that it was past time to change the color wig I was wearing. I ducked down behind the counter and quickly switched the blonde wig for my red one. When I stood back up, Santa was leaning on the counter, munching on a candy cane.