Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
S ierra
I held Ellie’s hand as we walked down the street, and the lightly falling snow fell over us. It was ridiculous that snow was already here. It wasn’t even Thanksgiving yet, and you’d think we were stuck in the middle of January. But the ringing bells of the Salvation Army on every corner and the words Merry Christmas quickly brought me back to which month it really was.
“Merry Christmas,” Ellie spoke to the man, ringing the bell as we walked past him.
“It’s nowhere near Christmas.” I rolled my eyes.
Damn, Jack, for making me do this.
We walked into a children’s boutique, and Ellie noticed the tall, creepy nutcrackers that were on display. Those things always creeped me out as a kid. In fact, they still did. I placed my hand over Ellie’s eyes and told her not to look at them. She laughed and moved my hand away. Pulling my phone from my purse, I zoomed in on the nutcracker’s face, took a picture, and texted it to Jack. A few moments later, a text from him came through.
“What the hell, Sierra? Why would you send me that shit?”
“If I have to endure it, so do you!”
“We’re going out to dinner tonight. I’ve arranged for a babysitter to watch Ellie.”
“Who?”
“Her name is Gretchen. She’s sixteen and lives three doors down from me. Maybe treat yourself to a new dress for tonight.”
“On your credit card? Because you know I don’t have any money since you took it upon yourself to take what I owe you in chunks.”
“Of course, on my credit card. I’ve made reservations at Daniel.”
“If you insist.” I sent the smiley emoji.
I looked through the rack and found some sweaters for Ellie. Turning to one of the shelves, I picked up a pair of leggings and held them up. Turning over the price tag, I saw they were priced at one hundred dollars a pair.
“Jesus Christ,” I mumbled.
I hadn’t looked at the price tags for the sweaters, so I figured I’d better. Each sweater cost one hundred fifty dollars.
“Daddy won’t mind. He can afford it.” I smiled at Ellie.
“We have the most adorable boots over here that would go perfectly with those sweaters and leggings.” The sales associate smiled as she walked over to us. “Let me show you.”
I took Ellie’s hand, and we followed the woman over to the display of shoes.
“Aren’t they adorable?”
“They are.” I took one boot from her hand and looked at it. “Do you like these, Ellie?”
“Yeah.” She smiled.
“What size is she?” the sales associate asked.
“Uh, I don’t know. She’s not mine. Her father sent me to take her shopping.”
“Oh. Let’s measure her foot, and I’ll see if we have her size.”
After measuring Ellie’s foot, she went to the backroom. Turning over the boot, I swallowed hard when I saw a price tag of three hundred and fifty dollars.
“Here we go.” The woman smiled as she approached with a box in her hand.
She placed the boots on Ellie and told her to stand up.
“Adorable. Simply adorable.” She smiled.
“They are super cute,” I said.
“I like them,” Ellie spoke.
“Okay. We’ll take the boots and these clothes.” I handed them to the lady.
After we left the boutique, we went to Saks so I could find a dress for tonight, per Jack. I found the perfect black dress that would look perfect with my tall black boots. Before paying, I went over to the children’s section, which was a mistake because I purchased more clothes, shoes, hairbows, and a new winter coat. I also saw a display of something that quickly caught my attention.
My phone pinged. Pulling it from my purse, I saw a text from Jack.
“I just got a fraud alert from my credit card company about a two thousand three-hundred-dollar purchase at Saks.”
“And? You sent me shopping. Children’s clothes are expensive. I honestly don’t know how people can afford to have kids. But you don’t have to worry about that, do you?”
“No, I don’t. I was just making sure you were the one making the purchase and that someone didn’t get a hold of my credit card number.”
“Nope. It was me.” I sent the smile emoji.
“Stop sending those emojis. They’re annoying.”
“Okay.” I sent the Christmas tree emoji.
“How dare you.”
“Listen. I’m in holiday hell out in these streets and stores. It’s unfair that you’re sitting in your plush office away from it all. So, I’m throwing a little holiday hell your way.”
“Well, knock it off. I’ll see you later.”
“I want to see Santa Claus,” Ellie said.
“Uh, not today. We’ll have your daddy take you.” I smiled. “Let’s go to the Apple Store and get you an iPad.”
Eric pulled up, took the bags from me, and set them in the trunk.
“Wow. You really shopped it up.” He grinned.
“Ellie needed some new clothes. Can you take us to the Apple Store, please?”
“Of course, Sierra. Are you getting a new phone?”
“No. I want to get Ellie an iPad.”
He chuckled as he pulled away from the curb.
The Apple Store was a complete shitshow. People were scattered everywhere, and Christmas music was blasting inside the store.
“Do you have an appointment?” A nice young man asked.
“No. I don’t. I didn’t know I needed one.”
“There’s about a two-hour wait without an appointment.”
“Oh, come on,” I whined. “All I need is one little iPad for this little girl.” I looked down at Ellie and patted her head.
“Please, mister. I’m so tired, and I want to go home.” She pouted. “Please, help us.”
He looked around momentarily and then back at me.
“Which iPad do you want?” he whispered.
“Whichever one is best for her.”
“Come with me. This is our new iPad Air.”
“We’ll take it,” I said.
“And which color do you want, little miss?” he asked Ellie.
“Pink.”
“I would also suggest a case for it,” the sales associate said. “We have some over on this wall. Go check them out while I grab a pink iPad.”
We walked over to the wall where the cases were, and Ellie picked out a pink one to match her iPad. After handing over Jack’s credit card, I thanked our sales associate for helping us so quickly.
“Enjoy that iPad, little miss.” He smiled. “Happy Holidays.”
“Happy Holidays,” Ellie said.
I cringed at the words as we left the store. After climbing into the Escalade, I asked Eric to take us to the hair salon where Becca worked. She squealed the moment she saw us.
“What are you doing here?” She hugged me.
“We were out shopping. Ellie, this is my best friend, Becca. Becca, I’d like you to meet Elianna Atlas.”
“You are a beautiful young lady.” She ran her hand through Ellie’s hair. “Who desperately needs a hair trim. I have time right now.” Becca looked over at me.
“That would be great.” I smiled.