Christmas With Kris Kringle

Chapter 1

“Good morning, Belen,” Tyler Wilburn, with security greeted.

“Morning Tyler,” I stomped my snow-covered boots onto the oversized entrance rug with the letters P and G woven into it.

“Did you catch that game last night?”

“I did. And you owe me twenty dollars. I’ll come back around to collect at lunchtime,” I shouted over my shoulder, never slowing my stride.

There was no time for idle chitchat. It was November nineteenth, the day I’d been planning for all year. Santa Claus was coming to town. At Pavilion Grand Mall, Christmas was big business and as event coordinator, it was my job to drive families to the mall with the promise of a holiday experience like no other.

I’d arrived to work early to meet the man we hired through the talent agency to play the role of Old Saint Nick. After months of persuading, management gave me the green light to hire a Black Santa, the first in Pavilion Grand history. I couldn’t wait for thousands of kids to see a Santa Claus that resembled their grandfathers, with rich mahogany skin like mine and so many others in this community.

My quickened pace slowed when I spotted a tall bearded gentleman admiring my Christmas display in the center of the mall. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” I called. This stranger was the first person outside of mall staff to view the Christmas toy land I’d created.

The man turned, sizing me up before responding. “It’s big.”

“The tree is real.” I beamed while moving closer to fully admire its refined elegance, at over thirty feet tall and just as wide. I’d overseen the selection and when it rolled in on the flatbed truck, it was just as impressive as the photos I’d perused online.

“Are you bragging about cutting down a tree?”

“No.” My full brows mashed together into a frown. “For every tree we cut, we plant dozens more. Pavilion Grand believes in the environment and we do our part not just at Christmas but all through the year.” I rattled off the talking points prepared by Pavilion Grand’s legal team for moments like this.

“Don’t worry, I’m not about to chain myself to the tree you murdered and abducted from the forest.”

“Abducted?” I tried my best to stifle an incredulous laugh. “No … some would say we gave the tree a purpose.”

The man with broad shoulders and precision posture examined my face with his cognac eyes. “The tree’s very existence was all the purpose it needed. Being decorated and placed on display doesn’t increase its value.”

He had me at a disadvantage; I hadn’t really given much thought to the environmental or ethical impact of chopping down a tree. I just knew this massive Norway Spruce was the most expertly decorated tree Pavilion Grand ever had because I’d paid close attention to every detail right down to the silver and gold lollipops and red velvet ribbons.

Glancing at my phone, I said, “Wow, would you look at the time.” I had a busy day ahead of me and was not interested in entertaining a discussion that could spiral into talk about climate change and fracking.

“When do you think people decided this was what Christmas was all about?” The man pointed at the tree, causing his well-defined muscles to flex under the tension.

“Are you about to ask me if I’ve accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior?”

A smile pulled at the corners of his mouth, revealing teeth four out of five dentists would be proud of. “I didn’t have plans to, no.”

“So you hate Christmas?” I thought I was the only one who was haunted by Christmas’s past.

His head jerked backward. “No, I love Christmas. It’s my favorite holiday. What I hate is the commercialization of Christmas. In my day it was less about the gifts and more about family and appreciation for things money couldn’t buy.”

“In your day. Are you talking about ten years ago?” This man was probably in his early thirties, but he was reminiscing like a senior citizen with decades of Christmases under his belt.

“More like twenty, actually.”

“Well I think Christmas is a bit overrated. Some people don’t want the ho, ho, ho and prefer the bah humbug and that’s their prerogative.”

“So one minute you’re extolling the majesty of this dead tree and the next you’re a Scrooge.”

“Christmas is really for the children.”

“Fuck them kids. Christmas is for everyone.”

This man was passionate about trees but kids could get the finger? “All I know is that Christmas has been increasingly disappointing as I’ve gotten older. If I’m being honest, I knew Christmas was a crock when I didn’t get the Barbie Dreamhouse I asked for when I was seven.”

“Santa stiffed you, huh?”

“I was so pissed. Because I knew I’d been a good girl all year. Straight A’s. Band solo?—”

“What instrument did you play?”

“The symbol.”

“You got a symbol solo?”

“I was very good. My timing was impeccable.” I flashed him the okay sign.

“How dare Santa ignore all that.”

“Yeah, and it’s just been downhill from there. He’s been ignoring my wishes ever since.”

“Like what?”

Heat crept over my ears. I wasn’t interested in telling this complete stranger about my Christmas curse. Opting for an indifferent shoulder shrug, I said, “I really need to be going.” Adjusting the strap of my tote bag, I hurried to the elevator that led to the administrative office. Casting one last glance in the man’s direction, I called out, “The mall doesn’t open until ten by the way.”

On the third floor of the mall in the administrative office, I was greeted by Chloe Jepson, the office assistant. “Morning Belen.”

“Morning, big day. I’m expecting the new Santa. When he gets here could you buzz me? I want to give him a tour before we open.”

From my office I had a bird’s-eye view of the Christmas wonderland below. The mystery man with divisive opinions regarding festive tree decoration was gone. How he’d even gained entrance to the mall this early was beyond me. Tyler needed to be more vigilant. The last thing we wanted were riffraff seeking shelter in our mall. Not that the tall brother gave off vagrant vibes. He was perfectly groomed with a tapered fade and well moisturized ringless hands. And his shoes looked expensive. The way a man dressed provided insight into who he was. For instance, if his shoes were scuffed, he probably didn’t take good care of other things … his car, his home, or other people’s hearts.

I loved the view of the Christmas décor from this perch. There was something rewarding about having a vision, once like sugarplums dancing in my head, come to life for all to see. Early in my career I was an event planner, hosting kid’s birthdays, gender reveals, and wedding receptions. After a few years of working every weekend and never getting to see my family and friends, I landed the job as event coordinator at Pavilion Grand. Decorating the space for major holidays like Valentine’s Day and Easter and several mall sponsored events.

Even though Christmas was my least favorite holiday, I still enjoyed planning this event the most. It allowed me to hone all my creative energy to produce an experience families would remember for years to come. If I was being honest, I didn’t hate Christmas, I just hated the memories associated with this particular holiday season. Memories that were hard to forget despite each passing year and the ungodly amount of spiked eggnog I consumed.

The squeaky buzz from my office phone let me know Santa had arrived. With brisk steps, I made my way back to the reception area. Smiling expectantly at Chloe, I asked, “So where’s good old St. Nicholas?”

Chloe frowned, pointing to a man standing in front of the bulletin board. The same weird man from the first floor who hated Christmas trees.

“Well that can’t be, there must be some kind of mix-up,” I said, more to myself than Chloe. “Excuse me sir, are you lost?”

Turning on his heels, he smiled the same bright smile I’d been treated to ten minutes earlier. “Gosh, I hope not. I’m here for the Santa gig.”

I released a nervous chuckle. “You can’t be Santa you’re?—”

“Black,” he whispered.

“I was going to say too young.” And might I add entirely too attractive.

“Don’t you worry about that. Once I put the costume on, it really all comes together.” He shook the garment bag he was holding.

My eyes darted around the open waiting area. “Is this a joke? Are you guys pranking me on the biggest day of the year?” I pointed at Chloe before wagging my fingers at the Santa imposter. “You almost got me. This was good.”

The man stepped forward, handing me a folded sheet of paper. Scanning the contents, my face fell slack. It was from Let Us Entertain You, the talent agency stating this was my Santa.

“Kristoff Kringle?” I shook the paper in my hand. If this wasn’t a joke, why did he share a name with the famous guy from the North Pole?

“Yeah, but everyone just calls me Kris.”

Examining the strapping gentleman before me with his ebony skin, broad chest, and bowed legs, I tried visualizing him with a Santa hat on top of his head. In disbelief, I searched the document again looking for an error. Plastering a smile on my face, I tried to act unfazed. The last thing I needed was word to get back to management that this year’s Santa looked more like he was ready to star in an action movie with Deming Zhao, than bounce children atop his lap as Santa Claus.

“Mr. Kringle please follow me to my office.” Before exiting the lobby, I approached Chloe’s desk and whispered. “Can you please call the agency and request a replacement?”

In my office, I closed the door to give us privacy. “Mr. Kringle, I think there’s been a mix-up.”

“Call me Kris.”

Taking a breath, I tried to redirect. “I’m Belen Goodwin, the event coordinator here at Pavilion Grand. I oversee the annual events and holiday preparations, including the Christmas festivities. As I’m sure you can imagine, a lot goes into making these events a success.”

I motioned to the seating in front of my desk before plopping into my office chair. Kris remained standing, forcing me to crane my neck to look him in the eyes. “Kris, here at Pavilion Grand Mall we are known for a level of excellence and while I’m sure you’d make a great Santa, I don’t think you fit into our overall aesthetic.” I was trying my best to choose my words wisely. I’d never had to fire someone before.

The phone on my desk rang. It was Chloe.

Holding up a silencing finger, I smiled apologetically before answering the phone. “Hello,” I said, pressing the receiver to my ear.

“I spoke with the guy from Let Us Entertain You and he said they don’t have any replacement Santas.” Chloe announced from the other end.

“What?”

“He said it’s the start of the Christmas season and finding a Santa this late in the game would be damn near impossible.”

My face was lined with concern. We open in three hours; there was no way I could wrangle an alternate Santa in time. “Thank you for checking.”

“Operation replace a brother not going so well?” Kris asked.

I released a nervous laugh. “Replace? No. We are so excited to have you onboard as our jolly big guy. The kids are going to love you.” If I was being honest so would most of the moms. This man was unlike any Santa Claus I’d ever visited. He was mountainous and with his strong upper body, he looked like he could spend hours wrangling reindeers or carry a sack filled with elf-made toys from home to home without breaking a sweat. He had a warm smile that caused his eyes to crinkle at the corners, which the kids would appreciate.

Last year’s Santa was a bit of a dud. He liked to nick a sip from his flask at the most inopportune moments. So this year was all about redeeming myself. Baby-faced Santa needed to bring it or I’d never hear the end of it.

“Shall I give you a tour?” I popped up from my seat and headed out of my office with Kris close on my heels.