Before Katie could answer, Christy heard a gentle tap against her window.
She looked at her friend's terror-stricken face as Katie moaned, “Oh no! Too late!”
Christy turned to see Rick Doyle's smiling face peering in her window.
Quickly sitting up, Christy smiled back and pressed the button to roll down the window. It didn't work because the engine was turned off. Without thinking, she opened her car door and bashed Rick in the knees.
Rick, ever the athlete, absorbed the blow as if she had only tapped him.
“Oh, I'm sorry! Are you okay, Rick?”
“Sure.” He looked past Christy to the curled-up elf in her passenger seat. “I thought I saw Katie.”
“Rick!” Katie said brightly, pulling herself up. Her hat tilted all the way to one side, and she looked pretty silly. “I was just, ah…I…ah, I lost a contact!”
“Lost contact with your home planet is more like it,” Rick teased.
Katie smirked. “Har, haf. I forgot what a funny guy you are, Rick Doyle.”
Katie had never been a fan of Rick's. Even when he was voted “most popular” last year at their high school, Katie had written “As if!” across his picture in her yearbook.
“Yeah, I'm real funny,” Rick said. “Too bad I don't have a pair of green tights and some alien ears so I could be as funny as you.”
“I happen to be an elf,” Katie stated, gathering her things and pushing open the car door. “And I'm proud of it. I also happen to be late for work, so if you'll please excuse me…” Katie slammed her door and hurried into the mall.
“I need to get to work.” Christy looped her small leather backpack over her shoulder.
Rick held the car door for her, and she slid out. She was only inches from him. They hadn't been this close since they dated a few months ago.
Why is Rick being so friendly all of a sudden? What's he up to? Christy wondered.
“Mind if I walk you to work?” he asked. “Or would that make you feel uncomfortable?”
“No, not at all.” Christy started toward the mall with Rick beside her.
Why is he asking if I'm uncomfortable? Why is he looking at me so…so tenderly?
“So, what brings you to the mall?” Christy asked, trying to appear casual. “Some Christmas shopping? Only fourteen shopping days left, you know.” Oh, brother, Christy, do you know how stupid that sounds?
“Actually, I was on my way home from college for the weekend, and I remembered that you work on Fridays. I stopped by to see if you were here.”
“Well, here I am!” Christy realized how nervous and ridiculous she sounded. But how was she supposed to interpret Rick's sudden appearance, as if silence and tension hadn't existed between them ever since they'd quit dating?
Rick smiled at her as he held the door open, and she slid past him. She didn't dare look up into his chocolate-brown eyes. She even held her breath so she couldn't smell his familiar aftershave and be whisked back into a swirl of memories. She would be strong. She would resist him.
The pet store was only a few yards away, and Christy walked quickly. It was as if once she hit the doorway she would be in the safe zone, and he couldn't confuse her anymore.
This is crazy! What am I thinking? For weeks I've been telling Katie how much I wish I could sit down and talk with Rick to resolve everything. Yet, now that he's only inches from me, I'm running from him, just like I have since the day we met
With sudden boldness, Christy turned to Rick. “I have to get to work now, but I have a break around six. Can you rneet me back here then?”
Rick grinned, but he was visibly surprised at her boldness. “Thanks for the invitation, but I already have plans for the evening. I'd like to get together sometime. To talk.”
“I'd like that too,” Christy answered softly.
“Okay.” Rick nodded. “That's what we'll do then. We'll get together sometime and talk.”
“Is that why you stopped by to see if I was here? Were you thinking we could set up a time to talk?”
“Actually, I told Doug I'd remind you about those cookies you promised to bake for us.” Rick stuck his hands in his pockets and looked a little sheepish. “Doug is, well…he's a cookie freak, you know. I've even seen him go into Oreo withdrawals.”
Christy smiled at his joke. Doug was a great guy. She had hoped that when Rick and Doug became roommates, Doug would have a good influence on Rick. It looked as though maybe he had.
“Doug also wanted me to see if you could come down to our God-Lovers Bible study Sunday night. It's from six to nine. I'll draw you a map if you want to come.”
Christy wasn't sure how to interpret the invitation. Was Doug inviting her? Or Rick? She knew her parents wouldn't be in favor of her making the forty-five-minute drive to San Diego by herself.
“I'm not sure I can come,” she said, quickly adding, “but I'd like to! Ever since Doug first mentioned your group, I've wanted to come, but I'm not sure my parents would let me drive down by myself.”
Christy hoped Rick would pick up on the hint and offer to take her. It would be the perfect opportunity for them to talk. “Oh, right. Those strict parents of yours. I almost forgot,” Rick said. “You could invite Rudolph the red-haired elf to come with you.”
Pulling a scrap of paper from his pocket, Rick offered it to Christy. “Here's our number. Doug wanted me to give it to you. He'll be there all weekend. Call him if you decide you can come down. I have to go. I'll see you later.”
“And we'll get together and talk sometime, right?” Christy hoped she wasn't appearing too eager.
“Right,” Rick said, taking small steps backward, as if being sucked into some great mall vacuum. “We'll do that. We'll get together and talk sometime.”
He lifted his right hand like a quarterback winding up for a pass and waved at her over the heads of the Christmas shoppers. Then he was gone.
Christy sighed and headed for her safe haven behind the cash register at the pet store, where Jon, her boss, stood helping a customer. Two more were in line.
“So glad you could join us, Miss Miller,” Jon said without looking at her. Then to the customer he said, “That will be $l7-53” please.”
Christy forced herself to look at the clock and grimaced when she saw she was fifteen minutes late. Her boss, Jon, was usually easygoing. He wore his hair in a ponytail and had more than once done nice things for Christy. He did like all his employees to be prompt though.
“I'm sorry, Jon. Do you want me to do that?”
“Sure,” he answered as he stepped back to let Christy accept the twenty-dollar-bill from the customer. Christy counted back the customer's change. By then three more people had stepped in line.
Christy had a feeling she wouldn't get her usual six o'clock break. Maybe Katie would pop in during hers, and Christy could hear how the elf business was going.
But Katie didn't appear at the pet store until closing time. Her face glowed.
“Congratulate me,” she said. “I earned a IO percent bonus tonight!”
“That's great! How did you do it?”
“They said they'd give me a bonus if we sold a certain number of photo packages,” Katie explained. “My job is to get the kids to sit on Santa's lap and smile. Of course, the parents are watching, and when they see their kids laughing and looking so cute, they buy more pictures. We did a record-setting amount of business tonight.”
“The world's most successful elf,” Christy praised her spunky friend. “And to think I knew her when she was merely a high school student.”
“Good for you, Katie. “Jon pulled down the metal cage door that locked up the shop. “What's your IO percent bonus based on?”
“Based on?” Katie asked.
“You know, based on,” Jon said. “You're going to get IO percent of what?”
Katie blushed. “I don't know. I didn't ask him. I was too excited, I guess.”
“You can find out tomorrow,” Christy suggested. “I'm glad y
our first day went so well.”
“It was perfect, except for Slick Rick,” Katie said, following Christy to the back of the store. “He came over to Santa's house and stood there for at least half an hour just smiling at me.”
“Rick did?” Christy asked. 'Why would he do that?”
“To drive me crazy. Why else?”
Jon, with the cash drawer in his hands, had joined them in the back room. Christy noticed a wry grin on his face.
“The old tease-her-best-friend trick,” he muttered. 'Worked a few times for me.”
“What?” Katie asked.
“I don't think we want to know,” Christy advised, pulling Katie out the back door. “Good night, Jon. See you tomorrow.”
When they reached Christy's car, Katie said, “So, when are we going to make the cookies? We should make them Sunday afternoon; then we can take them with us to the Bible study that night.”
'“What are you talking about?”
“You know, the God-Lovers group at Rick and Doug's apartment. We're going this Sunday night, aren't we?”
“Katie, where did you come up with all this?”
“Rick told me.”
“When?”
'Well, I sort of talked to him on my break. He told me all about the weekend plans. Why? Didn't he tell you?”
Christy looked at Katie in disbelief. “Rick actually waited around for you, and you spent your break with him?”
“Yeah, so?”
“And he invited you to God-Lovers, and you really want to go?”
“Sure. Don't you? I think it'll be fun. I want to meet this Doug I've heard so much about.” Katie plunged her felt hat and shoes into her bag and looked at Christy, who sat frozen in the driver's seat, the keys in her hand. “What's wrong?”
“Nothing,” Christy snapped, swallowing all her confusion and surprise in one huge gulp. “Nothing at all.”
Jamming the keys into the ignition, she started the car with a roar. Then she forced herself to ask calmly, “So, what kind of cookies should we make?”
Katie asked the next morning on the phone. “Can you go to God-Lovers?”
“I haven't asked them yet,” Christy said with a sigh. “I have a feeling I already know what they'll say.”
“Tell them I'm going,” Katie urged. “My parents said it was okay. They even said I could have the car, and I don't have to be home until eleven. Maybe if you tell your parents I'm driving, they'll let you go.”
Christy felt a tinge of jealousy over Katie's freedom. She knew she shouldn't compare. Still, it didn't seem fair.
“I was thinking,” Christy said, “maybe we should try to go next Sunday night because Christmas break starts then, and we won't have any school on Monday. This Sunday is still a school night for me, and I'm supposed to be home by nine.”
“Why don't we go both weeks? Or at least try to go both weeks. I'm really looking forward to it, and I'd like it if you could come with me this week.”
Christy realized Katie planned to go whether Christy went with her or not. That hurt. After all, Rick and Doug were her friends. Why should Katie feel so welcomed into their group without Christy there?
“I have to get ready for work,” Christy stated abruptly. “I don't want to be late again like yesterday.” She said it with a jab, as if she wanted Katie to take the hint that it was her fault Christy had been late.
“Oh, you're right! It's already after ten, and I'm not dressed yet. Hey, do you want to meet at the food court on our lunch break?”
“Okay,” Christy said. “I usually have my break at one.”
“Great! I'll meet you at the doughnut bar at one unless I can't get away then. Bye!” Katie said cheerfully before hanging up.
Yeah, or unless Slick Rick comes to bug you again. Christy had thought through the situation with Rick a dozen times. None of it made sense. She could believe the part about. Doug wanting Rick to invite Christy to God-Lovers, but why did Rick wait around to have dinner with Katie—especially since he had told Christy he couldn't meet her during her break?
She jumped into the shower and quickly washed her hair, debating whether to approach her parents this morning about driving to San Diego with Katie or to wait until that evening. She knew they would say no either way. Why bother asking at all?
It ended up taking a half hour to get ready for work, which meant she barely had enough time to fly out the door with a “See you later” tossed over her shoulder to Mom and Dad.
Her morning continued at a frenzied pace. She couldn't believe it was already one when Jon asked if she wanted to take her lunch break.
Christy arrived at the doughnut bar at 1:04- Katie wasn't in sight. After waiting ten minutes, Christy realized if she didn't get in line and order lunch, her break would be over. She was starving and had no trouble deciding on the French bread pizza, even though that line was one of the longest.
While she waited in line and then sat down to eat her pizza, Christy kept scanning the noisy plaza for Katie. For some reason, she half expected to see Rick as well. She saw neither and had to hurry back to the pet store. If she had had more time, she would have visited Santa's house to watch Katie in action. Or maybe even spot Rick there.
Stop it! she reprimanded herself. Why are you thinking like this about Rick and Katie? Get your head out of the garbage can, girl! It stinks in there.
From the minute she stepped back into the shop until she left at six, business remained steady. She felt glad the afternoon had zoomed by. Since Katie never appeared, Christy thought she had better check in on her before going home.
The line at Santa's house wrapped halfway around the large snow scene. In the middle of the display stood a three-sided cottage complete with fake snow, icicles, and mechanical elves who were wired to continually wrap presents and paint red stripes on candy canes.
Christy thought the snow looked funny at this Southern California mall, where most of the shoppers wore shorts. The jolly, rotund Santa sat on his throne with a camera positioned in front of him.
And there, next to the camera, danced Katie. The eyes of the toddler on Santa's lap followed her antics with obvious glee. “Look at Rudolph!” Katie said in a squeaky voice, holding up a reindeer hand puppet. “He's about to fly!”
Katie swooped the puppet forward, beeping Rudolph's red nose on the little boy's nose. She ducked as the bright flash went off, capturing the child's big smile.
No wonder Rick stuck around. I could watch her for hours too. She sure has a knack for this. Why was I getting so jealous and worried about Rick being interested in Katie? That's ridiculous!
As the next child approached the place of honor, Christy caught Katie's attention and called out, “I'm going home now. Call me, okay?”
Katie called back, “We've been so busy! I'll be here another hour. Do you want to bake cookies at my house tonight or tomorrow?”
Aware of the photographer's disapproving glare, Christy shrugged and said, “Call me when you get home, okay?”
Katie nodded and waved. She reached into a basket next to the camera, pulled out a squeaky snowman, and went back to her make-the-baby-smile routine.
Katie finally called Christy at nine-thirty, full of excitement. “I just got home, and you'll never believe what happened! You know the photographer? He offered me a job! After Christmas. He wants me to work at his studio when he does children's portraits. He says I'm the best assistant he's ever had! And get this: He offered to pay me double what I'm getting now!”
“That's great, Katie! Good for you.” Christy tried to make her voice sound light and sweet, even though she didn't feel that way. No one had ever said she was the best at anything or offered to double her salary. '
“And the best part of all is that I don't have to wear a costume.” Katie laughed. “I did tell him the ears were real. though, but he promised me his company didn't discriminate against big ears. I'm so excited! I can't believe he hired me just like that.”
“That's really great, Kati
e.”
“Sorry it took me so long to get home. I know it's too late to make cookies tonight, but why don't we do it tomorrow? Can you come over here right after church?”
“Hang on,” Christy said. “Let me ask my mom.”
Christy covered the phone and called to her mom in the other room, “Mom, is it okay if I go to Katie's after church tomorrow to bake cookies?”
“Sure, that would be fine,” Mom called back. “I have some butter and chocolate chips in the freezer you can take with you.”
' The next afternoon, as the girls began their cookie baking, Christy realized it was a good thing she had brought the extra chocolate chips. Katie, who admitted being unable to stay in the same room with any form of chocolate without devouring it, had already made a dent in her supply.
“Pretend they aren't there,” Christy advised, “and measure the flour for me.”
“You're asking me to ignore them?” Katie looked longingly at the chips spilling from the open bag. “Look at them, Christy. Look at those sad little chips with their tiny, little brown elf caps. Can't you hear them?”
Katie bent closer to the counter, her hand cupped behind her ear. “They're saying. 'We're cold out here, wearing nothing but our tiny elf caps. Please let us come inside your warm tummy!'”
With her most sympathetic expression, Katie pleaded with Christy. “How can you be so cruel as to leave them there, alone in the cold, shivering?”
“Oh, all right!” Christy scooped up the bag and twisted the top to lock the remaining chips inside. “Just these orphans here on the counter. Their brothers and sisters are mine! And I shall keep them as my prisoners while you measure the flour.”
“Oh, thank you, thank you! I knew you had a tender heart. Come, little chips.” Katie brushed them into her hand. “Time to go for a ride on a big slide! Ready? Go!” She dropped the handful into her mouth.
“Murf eill bumph dhl grayde,” Katie said.
'“What?” Christy asked.
With a swallow and a lick of her lips, Katie repeated, “I said, they feel better already.”
Christy shook her head. “You know, Katie, you really should be in drama. You're going to be the next Lucy, I just know it.”