Santa Loves Curvy Girls

21. Nick

21

NICK

I tried not to let Belle’s words bring me down, but every time I thought about her voice breaking and the tears in her eyes, I couldn’t help but feel bad.

Her words had stung, but what had been worse was seeing how obviously hurt she was because of me. When I’d taken on this job, I just hadn’t counted on something like this happening.

How had things become so complicated between us?

I just wanted to go back to the day at the movies when we’d kissed under the falling snow, her nose cold but her lips warm.

I wondered if we’d ever be able to go back to that. Things weren’t looking good. That I knew for sure.

Would I ever get to tell her the truth? Part of me was certain it was too late.

Trying to put it out of my mind, I changed out of my Santa suit and back into civilian attire.

I had some last-minute holiday shopping to do. I’d hoped that maybe Belle would join me because I had one more special gift to buy that I knew she’d be able to help me with, but now I was on my own.

Back at the mall, I walked around the mall for a while, feeling kind of hopeless and distracted. Nothing I saw seemed like quite the right gift for my mom.

Sighing, I put down the large vanilla-scented candle. She deserved something special.

After looking at cookware and vacuums at the department store, I was about ready to give up and get her a store gift card. I left the mall, tempted to sit and be a grump with a cup of eggnog at Scrooge’s. So much for holiday spirit.

Then I spotted Vixen’s. Mom got her nails done there a few times a year as a special treat. It was her favorite splurge.

That was it.

With a little extra boost of energy, I walked in, bells chiming behind me.

“Hey, Nick, how can we help you today?” Mrs. Katz smiled at me from behind the counter. She wore a bright green apron and there were several ladies behind her getting manicures or a massage.

“Afternoon, Mrs. Katz. I’m looking to get something nice for my mom,” I said, coming up the counter.

She smiled, and it reached her eyes. “Well, isn’t that sweet of you?” she said. “How is your mother?”

“Good,” I replied politely. “Just staying busy as usual.”

She gave me another nice smile. “I tell Jessica every time I see her that she works too much. Just about the hardest working person I know.”

“Yes, ma’am, she is,” I said. “Which is why I thought she might like a spa day or something as a Christmas gift.”

She lit up. “I have just the thing.” She pulled out a nice brochure. It had a gift card inside. “This is our deluxe spa day package.”

Mrs. Katz pulled out some lotions and things too. “And it comes with this nice basket of luxury personal care items.”

She went on for a minute about what was included for the price. I understood less than half of what she was saying, but I was sure Mom would blow a gasket when she saw everything.

“And I’ll tell you what,” she said. “I’ll throw in a bonus mani-pedi day too. Jessica deserves it. She always did come by with a casserole or two when my little Rosie was born.”

I grinned. That was Mom, alright. Always thinking of everyone else but herself. “I’ll take it. Thank you very much.”

“Great. I’ll wrap this up for you,” she said.

I walked out of there feeling way better than when I’d left the mall. At least Mom would have a nice Christmas this year.

The next morning, I woke up bright and early, only to find Mom already whipping up a big breakfast.

I set her gift down under the tree. My gift was already there, wrapped and ready to be opened.

Mom came out with a large mug of coffee and a big hug for me. “Merry Christmas, honey.”

“Merry Christmas, Mom,” I said, hugging her back.

We sat and opened our gifts. She cried when she opened the present I got her.

“What did I do to deserve a son like you?” she said, wiping at her eyes with the gift in her lap.

She’d gotten me a new pair of football cleats, which was good because my old ones were starting to fall apart. I opened the other gift. It was some sort of photo album, with tons of pictures inside. There were pictures of the three of us, when Dad had still been around. Then tons of me and her. And several more still of just me.

“You took a lot of pictures,” I said.

“I wanted to capture every moment,” she replied.

I ran my finger over one of the photos of me on the ice in a too-big coat. “I forgot I used to skate so much.”

“That’s how you started volunteering at Santa’s Elves, remember? The skating park is just down the block.”

“Oh yeah,” I said, remembering. “Wow. Thanks, Mom. This is great.”

“I know you probably feel misunderstood at times, but I also see what a big heart you have.” She touched my cheek. “I’ll always be here for you, Nick.”

I leaned in and hugged her. “Thanks, Mom. I’ll always be here too.”

She started crying again, and we both ended up laughing when I poked fun at her for it.

I couldn’t help but think about Belle as we sat and ate breakfast.

I would’ve done about anything to see her again, wish her a merry Christmas, and have just a little bit of what we’d had before.