Christmas With the Calvins Two: Charlie and the Toy Factory

Chapter Seven

Charlie met Jack outside of the bakery the following afternoon. There was a slight chill in the air as Chicago was due for a snap cold front that night. Charlie was glad he wouldn't have to lie to anyone on the council if they asked, he technically was working. It just so happened that he had his own agenda to attend to at the same time.

"So, Holly mentioned that you might have a job for me?" Jack got straight to the point as the two men walked together along the quiet little street.

"I do." Charlie nodded. He wondered how to start. Charlie had been in on the Family secret for almost twenty-five years, but it never got easier to bring someone new into that world. "It has great benefits. An incredible dental plan, literally 100% coverage with no deductible."

"I see." Charlie could tell from Jack's tone that he was trying to be polite and not outright dismiss his offer. C'mon Charlie! He scolded himself. Premium Dental insurance? That's the best you've got?

"Jack, I have a very important job." He tried to explain. "In fact, I'm the only person in the world who can do my job."

"Am I supposed to be impressed?" Jack asked. "I'm not trying to be rude here Charlie. I'm just trying to understand what this has to do with me."

"Sorry, It will all make sense in a minute, just humor me." Charlie replied. "Anyone can learn to do what I do, but it takes a certain kind of person to do my job, and I think that you could be that special person."

"Me?" Jack scoffed. "You hardly know me. You don't know what kind of person I am."

"True, I don't know you." Charlie agreed. "But I work with a lot of people who've known you since you were born, and your sister also gave a pretty glowing recommendation both as your sibling and your boss."

"That's Holly for you." Jack rolled his eyes. "Always sees the best in people. Look, I'm flattered Charlie, really I am, and I'm sure whatever job you have would be great but you live in Canada right? Which means I'd have to leave Holly here. We're the only family each other has. I couldn't do that to her."

"This is getting more complicated the longer I drag this out." Charlie sighed. He stepped into an alley between two businesses.

Jack recoiled at the smell of the alley's only other occupant, a dumpster, but followed Charlie into the alley anyway. There was a swirl of freezing cold air that sent Jack shivering through his hoodie. But he didn't have time to comment on that before Charlie was floating right before his very eyes.

"Is this a magic trick?" Jack gasped. He stepped closer to Charlie looking for fishing line or something that could possibly be suspending him in the air.

"It's magic, but it's not a trick." Charlie opened the palm of his right hand and conjured a miniature flurry of snowflakes. It reminded Jack so much of Elsa from Frozen that he couldn't help but laugh.

"Are you an ice princess?" He snorted.

"What? No!" Charlie closed his hand into a fist crushing the tiny flurry as fast as it had appeared. "I'm Jack Frost!"

"That's epic!" Jack smiled, excited for the first time since they left the bakery. "So the job you have for me is..."

"Yes." Charlie nodded. He dispersed the winds that were holding him in the air and let the rubber soles of his sneakers touch the pavement once again. With a snap of his fingers Charlie was dressed in his official Jack Frost suit. "I'm looking to make a...lateral move with my career. You already know that winter is fast approaching which means there absolutely must be a Jack Frost in place. I know the timing would have been better if it were Spring and we had some time to move things around but..."

"I'll do it." Jack interrupted him.

"Don't you want to think it over first?" Charlie asked.

"Are you kidding me? God of the snow? It's literally my dream job!" Jack insisted.

"Technically you'd be the Winter Herald not the god of snow." Charlie clarified. "But don't you think you should talk it over with Holly or something first?"

"Why?" Jack shrugged. "You've been able to spend all this time with her as you. I don't see why I wouldn't be able to do the same."

"There are some consequences for shrinking your responsibility as Jack Frost." Charlie warned. "And your appointment would have to be approved by the Council of Legendary Figures."

"The Council of...oh! Full dental coverage!" Jack laughed. "Now I get it. The Tooth Fairy is your dentist. Very cool." Jack clapped his hands and rubbed them together excitedly. "So, what do we have to do to get things moving?"

"Well, I suppose I call a council meeting and ask them to approve your appointment." Charlie explained. "I'll go do that now. They'll want to meet you of course, so be ready to come with me at a moment's notice alright?" He began to summon the Northern winds to carry him off towards the North Pole where he could easily call for a council meeting.

"Okay." Jack nodded excitedly as Charlie began to hover again.

"And Jack, this has to stay between the two of us for now. You can't tell anyone, not eve Holly." Charlie warned.