Present Day:

"Since we're speaking on sisters, how is Shania doing? I saw her at Mark's campaign a while ago. She was with her husband and the baby. That baby is so precious and Darren had some great ideas for Mark to put on his social media. See..."

Monica goes on and on about Shania and Darren, reminding me of my failed love life. It's not a competition. In fact, we talk everyday and she knows how I feel when it comes to love. She knows about my emotional problems because she's now the first person to know about my breakdowns.

It's Granny and everyone else that compare us and try to pit us against each other, reminding me of my lonely life at almost 30.

Once Monica stops talking about my sister, I finally answer her with an update.

Laina, Brianna and I stay out of the family limelight for the most part. Everybody knows Shania and Darren because he's is a public figure. He works for this multimillion-dollar company and makes a lot of money. I forgot what he does exactly.

"I'm glad Shania and Darren are doing okay, especially Darren. Girl, your sister has a great man. I can see how she had a baby with him because-"

"NOOOOOOOO! Don't do that shit! I don't want to hear about my brother-in-law's past sexcapades with you! That's disgusting!"

Whatever sensual past Darren had before, I don't want to know about it. That's his past and he's with my sister now. I don't want to see that in my head nor hear about it. It'll make my ears bleed.

Damn it! Why'd she have to say something?

Eliza has a way of being blunt and open, as you can see. Whatever comes out of her mouth just comes out.

"I was just about to say because he's still fine as hell. Despite our crazy past-"

Taking a quick breather, I interrupt and change the subject. "Now, let's watch a movie and-"

"Eliza, what the hell? How could you even get your hands on Shania's man? He's a very cordial man and would never 'get down' with anyone that's like you. That's gross." Monica interrupts as she sits down with a glass of wine.

Well, so much for not hearing about Darren and Eliza bumping uglies.

I'm flipping through movies as they talk about that nasty shit and a Christmas movie pops up. You know? One of those Christmas romcoms where the future couple meets up at the mall and doesn't know each other yet? Then they fall in love underneath the mistletoe?

As Eliza and Monica go back and forth, I go into my room to check my charging phone.

Nothing. No 'let's talk'. No 'I'm pissed off with you so leave me alone'. No 'kiss my ass', even though I wanted to do that. Absolutely nothing.

My heart sinks as I stare at my phone and, before you know it, my friends are all excited about the movie I land on. I go back to watch the movie with them.

"Oh, Kass, this movie is a great one! Harrison and I went to see it when it first came out. Remember when we went to see Santa at the mall? We should do that again." Eliza reminds us as she flips her heavily blonde hair and smiles.

It was almost Christmas and we were doing our Christmas shopping for our families. Monica, Eliza, and I were going in and out of the department stores while carrying a plethora of bags.

"Hey, Moni. What do you think of this dress for my mom? I'd give it to my sister but she's not into dresses. Mom, on the other hand, will wear this type of dress." Eliza tried to catch my attention.

I heard her but watching that line grow by Santa was what really caught my eye. Memories of my mom taking me to see him flashed through my mind.

The family used to be so happy. After my brother was born, she began working more and everything stopped. The Christmas mall visits, the girls' day events, the movie nights, the one-on-one cooking days, all of that.

She had to work two jobs to keep up with bills and caring for us. She did that so much that her hard work put her in a wheelchair and fucked with her emotions and speech. Her eyesight messed up, her nerves grew bad, and she couldn't do her favorite thing in the world anymore: dance.

A tear slid down my cheek as I thought about Momma and how I couldn't be there to take care of her. I want her to stay with me so she can be watched over but I have to work. She'd be there by herself and she can never be by herself. Something could happen.

"Kass, it's time to go see Santa! Let's go!" Monica dragged me out of my thoughts and I instantly wiped my eyes.

The girls dragged me to the line and was too busy talking about their childhood memories to even notice my tears. They had some secret strength hidden in them.

We finally got in line and watched as the little kids explained to Santa what they wanted for Christmas. They had pictures, lists, and even notebooks. All these kids came ready for Santa.

"Ladies, don't you think we're a little too old to be taking pictures with Santa?" I asked as they giggled in line.

I was sure Mark didn't want his wife taking pictures with Santa, and Harrison...

Well, Harrison probably wouldn't care, if we're being honest.

"Kass, we're just here to have fun and spend some time together. We should get this one picture as a reminder of our trip here." Eliza spoke with pride.

Ugh, now is not the time for all this. The line is too long and my feet already hurt. We just got in line, Liz.

"Can somebody hold my bags? I really have to use the bathroom." Eliza added while holding her hand to her bladder.

Monica didn't want her to go alone so all the bags were given to me. The line was barely moving because one kid brought an entire scroll of things he wanted.

I remember only asking for three things as a kid: a new bike, Greg Brady to marry me, and for my mom to be happy. Don't ask about Greg Brady. I was a kid and I loved the Brady Bunch.

Anyway, nowadays, kids want technology, fame, money, and all these other things that make no sense for them to have. All they have to ask for is a Barbie doll, some wrestling action figures, a bike, some new clothing, and a pool for the summer. What's wrong with all that?

"He's taking his good precious time up there, isn't he?" This woman came out of the blue and scared the shit out of me. It was that one woman from the festival and I didn't even realize it.

Different relaxed outfit but her black hair was down.

"Little bit but he's just a kid. He has a lot of things on his mind...and list."

I kept it short since the reminder of the nacho incident came back up. I didn't want to make conversation with her, especially after that night.

"Are you sure that's a list? That looks more like a never-ending novel to me." She tried to make a funny joke.

Ha, ha, ha. That was so funny, I forgot to laugh.

I rolled my eyes and watched the boy as he wished for the world to be a better place and each person have peace of minds. It touched my heart because there are still caring children in the world.

"You need help with those bags there? Seem to be struggling there." She offered as she peered down to the tons of bags in my hand.

My arms began to burn instantly but I shook my head and moved up in line as the next kid sat on Santa's lap.

"Are you sure? I have a little time...and room in my hands." Again, trying to be slick. It wasn't working with me.

Sighing at her, I replied "Thanks for your offer but I got it. Don't you have some friends to chase down? They may accidently spill some nacho cheese on somebody else."

Rolling her eyes and chuckling, she bit her bottom lip and smiled. Probably remembering that moment and thought it was cute.

"They're vampires; they don't come out during the day. Unfortunately, I'm here by myself, looking for some things for my friends."

Hm. That's too bad. Good thing I had my friends here. Maybe they could get me out of this awkward situation. They'll be back any minute.

Suddenly, my phone rang and I couldn't reach it with all the bags in my hand. I just had to put them down on the floor because this could be an emergency.

I quickly answered my phone and overheard Monica and Eliza arguing over a shoe sale at a nearby store. Monica informed me that they were taking a detour and wouldn't be back for a while.

Seriously? I'm still standing in line, with all of their bags, and Eliza wants to take a trip to get some shoes? She's obsessed with shoes and she will be back with boxes up to the ceiling. They will be gone for hours.

I reminded Monica about our time until we got to see Santa and we agreed to see each other soon. After hanging up, I growled and groaned in frustration. This wasn't the time nor the place to make me wait for them.

"Hey there, kiddo. That's not your bag, sir. Hands to yourself." That woman entered under the velvet rope and appeared beside me after reprimanding the child.

She took my bags in her hands and smiled at me while I waited to see Santa. I was glad she was there and was nice to me but it was so awkward.

After that, the line moved so fast and, eventually, I was up to see Santa...without my friends.

The woman and I didn't speak or say anything to each other until we got to that moment. See what I mean by 'awkward'?

"I'll be here holding the bags. You go talk to the fat man." She insisted while I looked at her.

I sat down on Santa's lap and had a little secret conversation with him. As soon as he asked me what I wanted, my mind went blank. It reminded me of the time when a nice Santa asked me what I wanted and gave me one of those things after a good conversation with him. It was a pretty bracelet with pink beads on it. I wish I still had it.

"Santa, all I want is love for Christmas because I believe I deserve it. I work all the time and I want to come home to someone who I can strip for, cuddle with, someone whose world I can rock. You know what I mean? That and a bottle of wine. I think everything else I want will come with just that. That's all I want."

His eyes widened as I pat him on the shoulder twice. He understood my wishes and gave me a small purple box with a silver ribbon on it.

This was sentimental but embarrassing as hell because my friends weren't there. I just took pictures with him alone and left as the bag handler followed me. I forgot all about the bags.

"Thanks for holding my bags." I acknowledged before taking them away from her. I had to find my friends soon and get out of there.

"It's all good. Always willing to help a beautiful woman out. By the way, the name's Kai. I thought you might want to know just in case we bump into each other again. Be careful around here and Merry Christmas."

Yeah, yeah, yeah. This town isn't that small. In fact, it's growing by the day. Everyone is moving here and it's driving me insane.

Who knows? She's probably one of those people that moved from California.

So after all of that, I find Eliza and Monica with more bags in their hands. Eliza whined about the Santa pictures she didn't get to take with us so it was back to the line.

While in line, all I could think about was that Kia person.

How bold of her to assume we'd bump into each other again. What was she a psychic?

Probably.

****

AAAAAYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEE FOLKS!

Yall for some reason, I have no motivation to write right now. It could be because I'm working long hours but if you're going through the same thing and have advice, please leave it here for me!

Anyway, do you think that Kassie and Kai will see each other again and actually talk to each other?

And what's up with Eliza and these shoes? Do you love shoes like her?

Anyway, I'll see y'all on Friday!

Love ya!