Holiday Hockey Tale The Icebreaker's Impasse (By Ivory Row) novel Chapter 43

Luci

I check on the boys before answering her and keep my voice low. “You know this time of year was never my favorite. For a while, I didn’t even like Christmas until your mom and Janet helped me get over that. Showed me the magic of the season. Santa though….he’s just not my favorite. For kids like Cole and Barrett who are loved and have happy families, Santa is a wondrous story. But for kids like me growing up, Santa is a cruel reminder that we aren’t real kids.” Sydney merely takes my hand. She never interrupts, only listens when I talk about my past.

“When I was six, I went to a new family the day after Thanksgiving. The Traylors, Rachel and Barry, with their seven–year–old daughter, Lana and nine–year–old son, Sam. The family I was with the Christmas before didn’t celebrate, so I had no real Christmas memories or understanding of it beyond seeing all the lights and decorations. The second weekend I was there, they were all excited and took us to one of those drive–through Christmas light parks. I can remember my outfit. I had this green sweater and a red plaid skirt that had green and gold shiny threads running though it.” I get lost in the memory as I recount it to her.

Flashback:

“Did you guys like the light show? It was really great, wasn’t it?” Mrs. Rachel says as she turns toward us in the back seat. “We’ll park and go in that tent right there to see Santa and have hot chocolate.”

I smile excitedly at her. I’ve never gone to see Santa before. I was only six and had no idea

what was about to happen. I was wearing warm clothes that she’d brought me that morning.

They were soft and new. I had a coat and new shoes too. We walked into the tent and Mr. Barry said he’d go get in line with Sam and Lana. Mrs. Rachel took my hand and said we should go wait for hot cocoa. “I need help carrying it, Luci.” I nodded happily as I heard the booming laugh of the man in the red suit. I caught a glimpse of him. One of the extra kids at the last house I lived in said that if you went to see Santa and told him what you wanted, he would bring it on Christmas Eve. I don’t remember ever getting a present from him, but then again, I’d never sat on his lap, so he couldn’t possibly bring me anything when he didn’t know.

I helped her carry a tray of cups and she had bought donuts too. We found a small table and I saw her waving. Mr. Barry came with Sam and Lana to take their seats as she handed each of us a cup. “So did you tell him?”

“Yes Mama. He said we’ve both been very good this year.” Sam answers her clearly. Wait, did they see him already?

“You both have. I’d say it’s going to be a good Christmas.” Mr. Barry says with a big smile.

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