Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 47241 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47241 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Just then, I spotted my dad pushing through the crowd toward Kevin, my mom hot on his trail. Oh no. My dad’s going to kick the cookies out of Kevin.
“Oh, guys. No. He’s not worth it,” I said into the microphone.
There was a tussle and commotion, followed by the back doors flying open. I could see people pouring outside.
Oh shit.
I pushed my way through the guests who were trying to get outside to watch Kevin learn what kind of hardy stock us Winterses came from. My dad wasn’t a violent man, but he was no pussy either. He didn’t take crap from people, especially when it came to his wife and kids.
“Dad. Hey! You don’t need to do that. He’s an idio…” My voice faded as I broke through the crowd, who were all frozen in place, mouths gaped open. My parents were to my side, both with wide eyes.
Kevin was on the ground, cowering in the icy slush, a look of terror on his face. “No. Please don’t hurt me,” he whimpered.
The creature standing over him had shaggy white fur and long fangs. Its eyes were bright red, and its long, sharp claws were raised, ready to strike.
I stepped back. “What the fork is that?”
“Kevin Foster,” said the creature, “you think I don’t know what you are? How you treat women? How you fantasize about hurting them? You were a mean little boy, and now you’ve grown into a sick and evil man.”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’ll be good from now on. I promise,” Kevin cried and covered his face.
In that moment, I realized that this thing was his Santa. A monster.
But why?
The only explanation I could come up with was that he’d grown up without any magical holiday memories, like I had. No singing and fresh cookies. No hot cocoa and a father who dressed as Santa and delivered gifts. No delicious eggnog and games. No rom-com marathons and sledding in the backyard. His home must have been a nightmare, his Christmases empty and sad if this was his Santa.
“You were given chance after chance, but they meant nothing to you,” said the creature. “You are hereby put on the naughty list.”
Kevin kept on crying, and oddly enough, I just felt sorry for the guy. He was truly a miserable man because he’d been a miserable little boy.
I walked over and helped Kevin to his feet.
I flashed a dirty look at Beau. “He’s probably like this because no one ever showed him kindness or believed in him, Beau. Maybe you’d know something about that.”
I blinked, and Beau looked like himself again. No fur. No white beard. Just a guy standing there looking like a big bully.
I walked Kevin to my truck and gave him a ride home.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
I dropped Kevin off, fully aware that he was still a super jerk-faced twat head, but the man needed professional help.
I apologized to him for joking about it earlier. Not very funny. Or kind.
But he promised to see someone for his issues, and I promised I’d try to put in a good word with Santa if he followed through, though he didn’t remember anything regarding the monster. He just said that he was sorry for insulting me tonight. And the two thousand other times throughout school.
“It’s okay, Kevin. I forgive you.” How could I not? I’d had a magical childhood, filled with wonderful memories, family, and one incredible best friend. Sure, there had been hard times, too, but nothing like I imagined Kevin went through. That monster said volumes about what his life had been like.
Kevin hopped out of my truck, and all I could do was wish him the best. If he didn’t change his ways, there was no doubt in my mind that he was going to pay for it. Santa was onto him. “Have a merry Christmas, Kevin.”
“You too.” He wandered into his parents’ house, which had no decorations, no lights in the windows, no colorful ribbons on the door. Glum and depressing was an understatement.
I drove to my folks’ place with a sad, heavy heart. In the space of a few hours, I’d confronted my childhood nemesis and discovered that his cruel behavior had nothing to do with me. I’d learned that there was such a thing as holiday magic, but that the fantasy was better than reality. The fantasy was safe and comforting, wrapped in years of sweet memories. This new version was frightening and strange. It didn’t hold the same joy for me.
I went to my room and took off my coat, ready for a long hot bath.
“Hello, Meri,” said a deep voice.
I gasped and turned to find Beau standing there in jeans and his red sweater. “Jelly beans! You scared me. How did you get in here?”
“Comes with the package.”
“Oh.” I nodded. “Try knocking next time. Did you come for the keys?” I asked.