“Try cutting all that hair off, maybe that’s the change you need,” Sawyer joked. “Or wear grown-up clothes.”
“Grown-up clothes? I’m practically wearing the same thing as you.” I shook my head. “No way, I’m not cutting my hair.”
Chapter 5
Paige
Ican’t believe they didn’t find me. What were they doing?
I’d been sitting in the corner reading my favorite book for the hundredth time when I heard male voices just outside of the workshop. I couldn’t hear exactly what they were saying or see their faces, but I knew any second they might look inside and my warm cozy hiding spot would be gone. It was the last thought I had until I woke the next morning with noise all around me.
Oh my God, I slept all night. The mall is open.
I pulled my purse out from behind me, grabbed my brush, and ran it through my short bob. It helped having soft, fine hair that stayed the same all the time. I never knew when I would be able to shampoo or blow dry it. My last full shower was a few days ago when Kim from the jewelry store invited me to her apartment. She’d invited me over for pizza and drinks and, I’d jumped in her shower after she’d fallen asleep on the couch.
I’m gonna need to invite myself over again soon. Kim is always having boy trouble and needing an ear.
I grabbed my blonde wig from my purse and crawled out of my hiding place, pretending to be pulling my candy cane buckets out just as the morning Santa, Aaron, arrived.
“Good morning, Santa,” I called out cheerfully. “Looks like we have a few little ones here already.”
I hope they didn’t see me crawl out of there. I’ll just say I was in there getting supplies.
“Come on over,” I called out to the first family. “Are you ready for your picture with Santa Claus this morning?”
“My name is Timmy and I need to tell Santa I want a bike,” the little boy said. “My mommy says she wants to ask for a new job.”
“Oh my, that’s a big request.” I looked up at the embarrassed mother.
“It was a joke I said to my husband this morning and he’s taken it seriously.” The mom smiled down at her little boy. “The things kids hear and repeat at just the right time can be funny.”
“Not to worry. I need a job after Christmas myself, so I understand.” I smiled ear to ear. “Okay, jump up on Santa’s lap and give him your list.”
The little boy ran and got on Santa’s lap, but the mother seemed to be looking for someone. She put her finger up for me to give her a second. I took a few pictures of the little boy to keep him interested. Finally, the mother came back holding the hand of an eight or nine year-old little girl. She didn’t seem to want to be there, never made eye contact with anyone, and stood off to the side. The mother came over to me.
“I’m sorry to make you wait. She’s my first foster child and I didn’t want to force her, but then I decided to go get her anyways. She thinks she won’t be with me for Christmas, but I already know she will and I want to give her something special.”
I knelt down in front of the little girl. “Hey there, I’m Paige. What’s your name?”
“Anna,” she said without looking at me.
“Anna, are you ready to get a picture with Santa?” I asked. “You can tell him what you want for Christmas, too.”
“It doesn’t matter, he won’t be able to find me on Christmas.” She glanced over to Santa.
“Anna, I was a foster kid too and I understand how you feel, but you’ll never know if he’ll find you if you don’t at least give him a chance.”
“Did you have to live with other people like me?” Anna asked.
“I had to live with lots of different people, but your foster mom over there seems really nice. She told me you are going to be at their house for Christmas.”
“She said that?” Anna looked over to her then back to me. “I like her, she helps me with my hair.”
“That’s really nice. What do you say about getting a picture now?” I stood and put my hand out to her. “I’ll walk over with you.”
I’d been in her position far too many times over my childhood. I was bounced around from the age of five. I wish I could tell her that it would be all right and she’d find a home to stay at, but I knew better. I positioned her on Santa’s lap opposite of the little boy, who smiled big.
“Look up here, everyone, and say ‘jingle bells’.” I clicked the camera. “Great job. Anna, why don’t you go first and tell Santa what you want. Timmy, come over with me and look at the pictures, then you can talk to Santa.”