Somewhere In My Memory

Santa For A Night

I had moved in with my uncle Scott a few years ago, since once my mother (his sister) had died my father didn’t want anything to do with me. I could understand why, since I did have her hair and personality. 

My hair is as red as you could imagine, earning me the nickname of Ginger. My name is Berendina, most people shortened it to Bear or Birdie though in all honesty most people simply stuck with Ginger. 

I was very lucky, I had graduated high school and due to my dual enrollment in a community college had gotten my high school degree and a bachelor’s degree in English education. Meaning I had been working the past semester in an elementary school as an English teacher, though it was a small class of 2nd graders, I still found it very fun. A good majority of the kids still believed in Santa, which means I was able to incorporate more fun things into the class. Of course, I knew that not every kid would believe in Santa or celebrate Christmas and so I would simply pull them over to the side, ask them to complete the task anyways since most of them were simple enough like just including winter words in their spelling lists, and not to spoil the holidays for the other kids. I would also educate the kids on how their classmates may celebrate the holidays including Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, and the many other holidays that are out there. I encouraged them to learn about how others celebrate the holidays. 

While I was working I was still living with my uncle Scott. I took care of the house and most of the time made dinner, cleaned, and all that sort of stuff. Tonight though, it was Christmas eve, and I told Scott that I would be late, as I was going to deliver some presents I had gotten for the kids. 

I knew that the area I worked in had a lot of kids like me growing up. I didn’t know how many would actually get presents, so I bought them all something I knew they would like. For some it was a stuffed animal, for others it was a new jacket. I tried to get them something that fit them well. It was late but I had gotten something to every kid. I was proud of myself, and I knew that for at least two of the kids my present would be the only one and it broke my heart. 

While I was saving up money to get my own place seeing kids in such a tough situation simply made me want to take all my money and buy them everything that they wanted. 

I pull into the driveway to see Laura and Neil’s car. Laura is just walking in with Charlie. 

Of course, Scott didn’t take off early to spend time with his son. I know work is important, but sometimes family needs to take precedence over money, especially with Charlie being so young. 

I get out of my car with an empty red bag, and Neil smiles at me. He quickly rolls down his window, asking “How was being Santa for a night?” 

“I love it, but it was tiring. Some of the kids might only have my present, I wish I could do more.” He smiles in a bittersweet way. “You’re really an amazing person, you know that Ginger?” It was my turn to smile now. “Thank you, Neil. Want me to send Laura on her way?” I motion to the two grown figures clearly arguing in front of the door. “If you wouldn’t mind” He responds, and I just give him a smile and nod before going to talk to Scott and Laura. 

“Listen, I know you two have your differences, but please just for Charlie, get along tonight. I’m sorry I wasn’t back sooner from delivering presents, it got a bit hectic. Laura, Neil was asking for you, said something about how you two needed to hurry if you want to make it on time?” I fib the last part but it was very obvious that they were going to Neil’s parents for dinner. 

Laura smiles at me, before giving me a hug. “Thank you, Ginger” 

I leave upstairs telling Scott that I was going to go take a shower and get dressed for a Christmas dinner that my boyfriend was having. He accepts this and I leave. 

Once I’m in and out of the shower, though still in a robe as I’m working on my hair, I hear the sound of a fire extinguisher and Charlie’s screams. I run, well more like leap, down the stairs. It wasn’t as bad as I imagined though, luckily Scott had just managed to catch the turkey on fire. 

“I’m going to go put on some comfy clothes then we’ll all go out and have a great Christmas dinner. Denny’s sound okay to you Charlie?” I ask and he doesn’t look too enthralled. “I promise if you go to Denny’s with me I’ll get you whatever food you want when you come back over, okay sport?” This gets him to smile and agree to Denny’s food. 

I walk back up the stairs and throw on an old band shirt and some ripped jeans, putting a sweater on top before finishing the other half of my hair and going back down to see Charlie and Scott ready to go. 

Scott took me into his life during the worst time of mine. I had never gotten along with my father, and when Scott picked me up he became an instant father figure to me. I had always felt that he was more of a father to me than my biological dad could have ever been. I could only hope he felt the same way.

“Go ahead and go get in the car, sport,” Scott says and Charlie listens. Scott then surprises me by hugging me, not something he often did. “Thank you so much. I couldn’t take care of Charlie on my own, but you didn’t have to sacrifice your one night to help me” 

I smile, knowing that he truly meant to thank me. “Scott, my anniversary isn’t until tomorrow. George is actually running behind anyways, said it would take him another two hours on dinner. I would much rather spend Christmas eve with my uncle and cousin anyways.”

He gives me a kiss on the top of my head and allows me to go ahead and get in the car since he had to lock the door. I slide into the back seat, telling Charlie to get in the passenger. “But the adults always sit in the front.” He reasons. 

“Charlie, I’m barely an adult myself. Besides, I want to stretch out in the back seat” I lie. I knew that he’d be able to see the Christmas lights much better up there.

A bit shorter, but I don't want to overload the chapters.