Is this guy into illegal stuff?
I tossed my purse behind the counter and pulled my green wig out of the cabinet. I ducked behind the counter and slipped it on, then readjusted my elf ears. Santa joined me behind the counter.
“Did you see those huge guys, all in black, sitting in the food court?” Santa asked. “Should we be scared?”
“I thought the same thing when I saw them. They were talking to that guy that was here that I knocked over.” I chewed my lip. “Maybe he put a hit out on me.”
“Now that’s funny, Paige.” Santa laughed all the way to his chair. “Looks like we have a customer.”
The next few hours sped by with one customer after another. Sherry had arrived and I desperately needed a break but, before I could get away, Karen arrived with her six grandkids.
“Come on over, all of you. Let’s get you all situated on Santa’s lap.” I helped seat the kids. “Karen, come on.”
“I’m too old for a picture with Santa Claus. You go on and get the kids.” Karen stood off to the side, watching. “What do you kids think? Should your Gram be in the picture, too?”
“Yay! Grandma,” they all cheered. “You can sit on Santa’s lap with me, if you want.”
“I’ll stand right back here so you kids can all see Santa,” Karen said.
“I’m not taking a picture until you get yourself in there, and then all the kids in line will start crying,” I exaggerated. “You don’t want that, do you?”
“I’m going. Don’t look now but those scary men are right over there watching you,” Karen whispered as she walked past me. “Are you in some kind of trouble?”
“Not at all, unless I’m in trouble for sleeping in the mall.” I chewed my lip again. “Oh no, maybe they are here for me. What should I do?”
“You don’t need to do anything. You’re just overthinking it.” Karen pointed to the camera. “Now come on, take our picture.”
I was in panic mode. I’d never been in trouble my whole life, but when men in suits showed up, things never went in my favor. If they were here about me sleeping in the mall, then I’d better get out, but I had literally nowhere to go. It was in the twenties outside. I considered asking Karen if I could sleep at her place just for tonight, but she had all these grandkids and most of them lived with her.
“Karen, thank you for being so kind to me the last few months.” I handed her money back to her. “The pictures are on me.”
“I get the feeling you’re about to take off. How about a picture of me and you with Santa,” Karen took my hand, “as a keepsake of family?”
Tears slowly slid down my cheek. I finally found people who cared about me and now I’d have to leave. At least I had this picture, and the one with Anna, to take with me. The men stood watching for fifteen minutes, then split up in different directions.
Something strange is going on.
“Sherry, I’m gonna take my break now,” I called out, already leaving with my purse on my shoulder. “Kim, when is your next break?”
“I can go in about thirty minutes.” Kim looked at me. “What’s wrong.”
“Nothing, I just wanna get a picture with you. Come over on your break.” I waved and walked away before she could question me more.
Come on, think. Where can I go? Maybe I could sleep in my car with a bunch of blankets.
I sat in the food court, watching people walk around. I wished I had a family to buy gifts for and money to buy those gifts. I pulled my wallet out and counted the cash in my wallet. I had a good amount of money. The thought occurred to me to get a hotel room, but then I’d be tapping into the money I would need to survive on until I got another job.
Oh my gosh, it’s past my break time.
I went to the restroom and changed wigs. This time I put the red wig on. I fixed my lipstick, then stared at myself in the mirror.
Stop being weak. You can get through this, too.
Sherry was pacing when I got back. “Where have you been? I have to get to my other job.”
“I’m really sorry, I wasn’t feeling well,” I apologized. “Be careful driving.”
The mall would be closing in four hours and I had a sinking feeling I would be out in the cold if I didn’t want to get in trouble.