In the middle of a Christmas morning sky

Welcome to The Spot Writers. This month, the prompt is “the Christmas season.”

This week’s contribution comes from Chiara De Giorgi. Chiara is currently in Berlin, Germany, doing her best to catch up with semi-abandoned writing projects. Her YA novel “Mi chiamo Elisa” was published in Italy by “Le Mezzelane Casa Editrice” in September 2020. Coming soon, a children’s book about Quantum Theory: “Chiara e il gatto di Schrödinger”.

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In the middle of a Christmas morning sky

by Chiara De Giorgi

 
I remember the night I first laid eyes on Mr. Christmas as if it were yesterday.

I wasn’t supposed to be on shift, but I received a last-minute call from Lillian to please cover for her because of reasons I didn’t ask for. I wasn’t interested, as I would gladly spend time away from home in that period. You just gave me something to do, anything at all, and I’d be happy to do it, just to be elsewhere. (No, I’m not going to tell you why. First, it’s none of your business. Second, it’s none of your damn business.)

I was heading down the driveway after exchanging a silver coin for a tiny milk tooth, when I heard a noise coming from above. I looked up and there he was, climbing down from the sleigh parked on the rooftop. He saw me looking and waved at me, then smiled and winked and went Oh-oh-oh. I suppose he thought he was being funny and expected me to laugh, which I totally wasn’t in the mood for. I barely returned his smile, then nodded at him and left. I was out for work that night – as was he, presumably – so I’d just keep it professional. A civilised exchange of cordiality between colleagues. What else did he want, I asked myself, almost outraged. Maybe he was used to Fairies falling at his feet all the time, charmed by his smile, but I sure wasn’t going to. I quickly turned my head, to check that he wasn’t pursuing me – you can never be too careful – but he wasn’t. At least, the guy knew not to push it.

A couple of months later we met again at the Annual Congress for Magical Workers, where he held a speech. Later, he came to look for me and learn my thoughts on the issues he had raised. I thought his speech touched on interesting topics, and it was very well constructed, and I told him so. I instantly regretted that because he seemed pleased by my answer. Would he now think I was trying to be nice, to get in his good graces? The very thought made me angry, and I abruptly interrupted the conversation.

Over the next few months our paths crossed in the most unexpected ways and each time my overall impression of Christmas improved. He seemed like a really nice guy, which put him well ahead of most of the male creatures I knew. And then, it happened. He asked me to go with him on his annual ride around the world, which sounded extremely exciting to me. When would I ever have such an opportunity again?

We had so much fun that night, he always brought me a couple of biscuits after his trips down the chimneys, and he even let me deliver a few presents. His reindeers jumped all over me and let me pet them, I was exhilarated!
Christmas is very good company, I thought when sunrise was near. I looked at him, he was yawning, and now I had to yawn too, which made us both laugh. When we recovered, the first light of dawn was appearing, and Christmas slowed the sleigh down to a stop in a spot in the sky that was perfectly clear. Below us, white peaks glowed as the sun’s rays caressed them. Christmas flashed me a tired smile and held up a sprig of mistletoe.

That was our first kiss. Kissing under the mistletoe in the middle of the cold Christmas morning sky has been an unavoidable tradition for us since then.

 

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The Spot Writers—Our Members:

Val Muller: http://www.valmuller.com/blog/

Catherine A. MacKenzie: https://writingwicket.wordpress.com/wicker-chitter/

Phil Yeats: https://alankemisterauthor.wordpress.com

Chiara De Giorgi: https://chiaradegiorgi.blogspot.com/