Christmas With Kris Kringle

Chapter 5

I’d been with Pavilion Grand for two weeks and I had a routine I’d grown accustom to. I worked for five hours before taking my lunch break. Often, I met Tyler in the food court. It appeared he shared the same lunch schedule as me and we’d just sort of fallen into a routine of breaking bread together. Five minutes before four o’clock, I returned from my break to continue the second half of my shift. I stopped in my tracks when I rounded the corner. Santa’s toy shop looked more like Old McDonald’s farm. Belen was standing next to a grizzled old man holding a rope with a deer attached to it.

“Whoa! What’s with the deer?” I asked.

Belen’s face lit up when she saw me. Which instantly made me lose all focus as I tried to slow the happy uptick of my heart.

“It’s a reindeer. Like Jupiter.” She pointed to the animal who was lazily chewing on an apple slice.

“Who the hell is Jupiter?”

“You know Dancer, Prancer, Jupiter, Blitzen,” Belen said, in a singsongy voice.

“Wow that’s just so wrong. Completely wrong.”

She ignored my admonition, continuing. “Her real name is Belvidere. Get it Belvid-deer.”

I laughed despite myself, even I had to admit the name was clever. “Yeah, I got it. Was this your idea?”

The landscape of her face said hell no. “It was executives. Even when I warned that having a live and very large woodland creature in a mall with people was probably a safety hazard.”

“Safety hazard … health hazard.” I could think of several reasons why bringing a three-hundred-pound six-foot deer to an enclosed space with thousands of people was a mistake. Scanning our surroundings, I located the nearest exit just in case I needed to scoop Belen up and make a quick escape.

“Yep, but it’s Christmas and the Mall of America has an entire petting zoo, so Pavilion Grand had to compete.”

My nose turned upward as I took several steps back. “Belvidere just took a dump on the rug.”

“It’s a Christmas miracle.” She waved her hands from side to side while also distancing herself from the deer. “We were hoping to get some photo ops with you and Belvidere for the website and social media. If that’s okay?”

I wanted to say no I did not sign up to be Dr. Dolittle. Does no one remember the tv show When Animals Attack? I could see it now, I’d stand next to the deer and once the cameras started flashing, it would rear onto its hind legs and use its massive hooves to pummel my face. Mesmerized by Belen’s big eyes and long lashes, I didn’t voice any of these concerns, instead I just smiled and stood in the spot I was directed.

Belen moved around me, directing the camera man as I did my best to remain stone still. “Can we try one with a smile?” Belen suggested after surveying the pictures we captured.

Offering up a half smile, I never took my eyes off the beast.

“Why don’t you take the rope son?” The old man extended his hand in my direction.

“No, I’m good … really.”

“Don’t be a scaredy-cat. She ain’t gonna bite you.” This time the man shoved the rope into my chest.

I shot Belen a glance, working my jaw into a tight circle. Did this old man just call me a punk ass bitch? “I’m fine with just standing here, but thanks.”

Belen wrinkled her nose in the cute way I’d grown used to her doing. “It would make the pictures better if you were holding the rope. As it is right now, the graphics team will have to remove Mr. Delgado from all the pictures.”

Damnit, what was it about this woman and her smile that made me want to please her? “Okay, sure.” I conceded even though I thought this was a terrible, no good, very bad idea.

The deer wrangler tossed the rope in my direction, but he missed my hand by an inch and the thick rope fell with a thud to the floor. In that moment, time slowed to a stop as my heart pounded in my ears. Belvidere took a few steps forward, her sights set on the expanse of the mall, and once the realization that she was unfettered set in, the deer made a mad dash in the direction of Nordstrom.

Belen, Delgado, and I all took off after Belvidere, using the screams of frightened patrons as our location tracker. All I could do was watch in horror as the deer stumbled through the cell phone kiosk, scattering empty phone cases all over the tiled floor. Unsuspecting customers ducked just in time to miss a hoof to the head as the startled and confused animal leapt over a bench, clearing it like an Olympic hurdler.

When my eyes weren’t on the deer, they were on Belen, who was trying her best to keep up in her pencil skirt and heels. I’d have felt far more at ease if she’d abandoned the mall, seeking refuge in the administrative office. But no … there she was turning a sharp corner, placing her safety at risk.

Belvidere came to a halt faced with a dead end. In response, our trio of newly appointed deer wranglers slowed our advance.

“Spread out so she can’t slip away,” Mr. Delgado instructed.

Despite my better judgment, I moved further to the left so we could box the creature in.

Delgado calmly inched forward. “That’s it, Bel. That’s a good girl. You just stay right there.”

Belvidere’s head was on a swivel, calculating its next move. The jig appeared to be up but the deer wasn’t ready to surrender. She’d gotten a taste of freedom and from the way her hooves were stomping the faux marble tiled floor, it looked like she wanted more. If her initial escape was in slow motion, her final stand seemed more like someone pressed the fast-forward button.

The deer bleated loudly, its trot gaining momentum right in the path where Belen stood. I tried to bridge the space between them but was unsuccessful. The deer clipped Belen’s hip, knocking her off her feet with a loud thud. Somehow Belen was able to keep her wits about her grabbing hold of the rope; she was dragged a few meters before I snatched the rope from her hands and planted my feet, leaning in the opposite direction Belvidere hoped to travel.

With very little effort, the deer relaxed and allowed me to hand over the rope to its handler. Rushing to Belen’s side, I knelt over her, assessing the damage.

“Did we get her?” she stuttered, before losing consciousness.

Belen

My eyes fluttered before slowly opening to find Kris standing over me. The glare from the fluorescent lights in the breakroom caused a halo effect around his head. A head that now appeared to be detached from his body and spinning in a circle.

“Are you okay?” Kris asked, his spinning face lined with concern.

Shutting my eyes, I hoped to stop the house of mirrors effect that occurred when they were open. “What happened?”

“You tried to stop the deer and got clipped. You fell and hit your head pretty hard.”

I vaguely remembered our high-speed chase through the mall. When my boss suggested we bring in some animals to compete with the other malls, I knew it was a bad idea. I’d voiced my concerns but ultimately the decision was out of my hands.

Chloe leaned in and said, “She could have a concussion, quick ask her a question.”

“Yeah, that makes sense,” Kris agreed, turning his attention back to me. “What’s nine times eight?”

I searched the ceiling for an answer. “I don’t know … Eighty-four?” My eyes darted across his face for a sign that I was correct.

“No, oh my God it’s a concussion. I called it.” Chloe snapped her fingers, a satisfied smile on her face.

Shaking my head, I protested, “No, I’m just really bad at math. Ask me another question.”

“Who’s the president of the United States?” Kris asked, his voice was calm and reassuring.

“Theodore Elmsworth.” I looked down at my blouse which was held together by binder clips. “Did the deer do this?”

Kris rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. “No, there was a little bit of mass hysteria when you didn’t wake up right away. Someone suggested we use the defibrillator.” He cast an annoyed glance in Chloe’s direction.

Chloe raised her hands in defense mode. “What? I’ve seen it on Grey’s Anatomy a million times.”

“Those machines are used when someone isn’t breathing.” Kris huffed as if he’d repeated this fact several times to no avail.

“Did you take three years of CPR as a junior lifeguard in high school?”

“Yeah, well you ain’t seen the inside of a high school in a long time.”

Chloe released an exaggerated, shocked gasp.

“Excuse me?” I tugged at my shirt. It was difficult keeping up with Kris and Chloe’s bickering. “Guys.” I lifted myself up to a seated position. My body was sluggish and it took every ounce of effort to maneuver it upward. And my spinning head felt like I was balancing a twenty-pound bowling ball on my shoulders and my vision resembled the inside of a disco ball.

“Whoa take it easy.” Kris’s strong hand guided my head back to the couch cushion. “Maybe we should get you to the hospital?”

“No hospitals. I’ll be fine, I’m just a little lightheaded.” I hated hospitals and avoided them at all cost. The fear stemming from the years I’d spent in and out of the hospital visiting my father. In my opinion, hospital visits were overrated when you had Robitussin and Vicks VapoRub in your medicine cabinet.

“Okay, no hospitals. But can I suggest you head home?” Kris said. His soothing bedside manner put my nerves at ease.

“I have a lot of work to do.”

“Belen, it’s almost six o’clock, work can wait.”

There was a sense of finality that clung to his words making me bolt upright, ignoring the steady ringing in my ears. “Was anyone else hurt? Belvidere? Is she safe?” The details were all coming back to me now. The near misses as Belvidere darted across the mall. The horrified screams from shoppers. It was probably posted online for the whole world to see by now. How was I going to explain this?

“Belvidere’s fine and no customers were hurt.”

I nodded my head, letting out a relieved sigh as his words sunk in. “Thank God. My boss is probably going to kill me, but I’m glad everyone’s okay.

“Wait a minute. The deer thing wasn’t even your idea,” Kris said.

Chloe chimed in, “You know how this stuff works. Shit rolls downhill. And Belen is standing at the bottom of a very steep one right now.”

“Chloe’s right. They’ll find a way to blame me.”

“Well if they want to blame anyone, they can blame me. I should have grabbed the rope.”

It was sweet of Kris to take the blame. Honestly, what happened was a fluke accident and no one was at fault. I was certain I’d get a stern talking to and my boss would probably micromanage my work for the next few months, but eventually it would all blow over. There was no need for Kris to fall on his sword or candy cane.

“I appreciate that. But it’ll be fine.” Kris’s thumb was absentmindedly stroking my skin. I was only now aware that I’d been holding his hand for the last five minutes.

Aiden entered the room like a storm. “What the fuck?”

The sound of his voice made my stomach coil into tight knots. Aiden had a tendency to overreact and I was in no mood to try to stop him from spiraling. “I know things got a little out of hand.”

“A little?”

“Live animal, confined space, equals a bad idea,” I said.

“It was your responsibility to manage the situation.” Aiden chastised me. Yet another reason we broke up, he thought he could talk to me any which way. “Why is your head wrapped like a mummy?”

Reaching for my head, I wondered the same thing, looking toward Kris and Chloe.

Kris cringed with a hitch of his shoulders. “Like I said things got a bit crazy while you were out.”

“This is not Pavilion Grand’s fault.” Aiden pointed a warning finger at me.

“Are you serious right now?” Kris stood, his reassuring smile replaced by a scowl. “Fuck Pavilion Grand. Belen is hurt that’s all that matters.” It was amusing to watch angry Santa come to my defense. For Aiden, I was always an afterthought.

“I’m fine by the way,” I offered.

Aiden’s tone suddenly softened. “Are you?” Sitting next to me on the couch, he brushed a ribbon of hair from my face. He was such a phony. If Kris hadn’t shamed him he’d still be berating me.

“Yes.” I pulled away, his touch no longer had the same effect on me. Gone were the fluttering butterflies and goofy smile. Both were replaced by a stone in my belly and a bitter line to my lips. I attempted to stand but my knees buckled under me. Luckily, Kris caught me before I collapsed into a pile on the floor.

“That’s it I’m taking you home.” Kris’s tone was authoritative.

Aiden propelled himself from the couch. “I can take her.”

“No! No, I can take myself.” When I tried once again to stand unassisted, my knees quivered, forcing me to press my body against Kris to maintain balance. Even in this disoriented state I could appreciate the firmness of his physique. Every place I touched was solid muscle.

“Don’t be silly. Let me take you home,” Aiden insisted, reaching for my arm.

“No I don’t want that. I don’t want any of that. You’re a liar and a cheater and I don’t want to go home with you.”

The words surprised everyone including me. Even though Aiden dumping me was the best thing to happen to me, it still hurt. He pretended to care and acted like he was different but it was all a front. Truthfully, I was mostly mad at myself for believing his lies and letting him into my life. Introducing him to my sister. Aiden and I were through and I had no intentions on reviving what in my opinion was dead.

A long sigh passed through Aiden’s teeth. Looking at Kris, he asked, “Could you please make sure she gets home okay?”