CHAPTER EIGHT
brADLY
I chuckle at the sight of the half pint marching through the snow towards my house. I actually thought the excitement of Christmas morning would have had her waking up earlier. I look in the mirror, fix my fake white beard, and go to the front door.
“Good morning, Nova. How i-“
“Save it, Santa,” she cuts me off with her hand in the air.
My laughter is not an act.
“Where is it?”
Acting dumb, I tilt my head.
“Where is it all? I, I gave you my list. I’ve been extra good. I’m your friend . There’s only five things under the tree,” she points out.
“Oh,” I sigh as I stroke my fake white beard. Pulling up the pants of my Hollywood crafted Santa suit, I take her words into consideration. “Well, you see…I had a problem.”
‘What?” she demands to know.
‘Well,” I say as I step outside. “Your mother had the fire going all night long. So, I couldn’t get down the chimney without burning up all your stuff. So…”
I let my words trail off. Following my eyes, Nova takes off running for her backyard. The sound of her loud yells and shouts echoes through the sleepy street. By the time I get to her back yard, a scared Octavia is yanking the kitchen door open.
“LOOK MAMA!! I TOLD YOU!!”
Flabbergasted. Octavia stumbles out the door to take in her back deck full of brightly colored gift boxes.
“THANK YOU, SANTA. OH, THANK YOU!!” exclaims Nova.
“You bought all of-“
“And I didn’t go broke,” I laugh at Octavia.
“Bradly, you can’t be doing this.”
“Oh, yes he can,” laughs Nova.
“You heard the smart girl, yes I can” I tease.
Octavia does nothing when I pull her into my arms.
“Is this how it feels…happy endings?”
“If I’m getting my Christmas wish of pussy tonight, then yes…yes it is,” I whisper.
“Just tonight?”
“I’m actually hoping for a long term contract,” I answer.
“Oh gosh, ya’ll can kiss after we get all my gifts in the house. Come on, it’s cold,” whines Nova.
“Your wish is my command,” I laugh as I take a bow.
“Wish,” mumbles Octavia. At my confused expression, she smiles at me. “Wishes…you gotta be careful what you wish for.”
“Did one come true for you?”
Taking her time, Octavia glances over at Nova then back to me.
“Yes, yes it did.”
Ignoring Nova’s struggle to drag gifts into the house, I brush my lips to Octavia.
“Mine, too,” I whisper.