Christmas Bound

Chapter 1: Happiest day of the year / Annoyance

     Rachel:

It is, by far, my favorite day of the year! I love Black Friday. Not because I can get up early, wait in long lines, fight the crowds, and generally spend way too much money on Christmas gifts in the name of "bargain hunting".

No. Not at all. The day after Thanksgiving is my favorite day because it points to the official start of the Christmas season. I can finally put up a fussy, shiny tree. I can watch sappy Christmas romance movies on Netflix to my heart's content. Baking is not only acceptable - it seems to be welcomed.

The holidays, also, is that special time of the year to read enchanting novels in which the heroine of the story finds love just in time to kiss under the mistletoe. One other thing that I am passionate about come year's end, is crafts. I hopelessly delude myself into thinking that I will crochet and bake all my Christmas gifts between the last week in November and December 24. I rarely get it all done. And, usually have to make a run to Target to buy gifts in place of all the people's special treats for whom I haven't finished.

Ah yes. The magic of it all. It is only 9:30 in the morning, but I glide down the stairs of my apartment building like a fairy that has just discovered her wings, going full throttle. I would hate to miss a moment of the action today. Judiciously, I have decided on a rosy pea coat, dark slim blue jeans, black leather boots, and an ecru knit cap and gloves that I made myself. Light brown ringlets of hair fall down under my cap, warming my neck. It is going to be very cold in Roanoke today. Cold may not be the word for it. Frosty with large chance of black ice may be a better description.

At any rate, I hastily shoot across the parking lot to my car, which thankfully happens to be parked under the car port this morning. Those few moments when I have that sort of foresight are treasured. I pluck my key into the door of my venerable green Nissan Sentra, and pop inside.

This is definitely one of those times that I wish I had heated seats, four wheel drive, and maybe even a button on my key chain that starts the  engine for me, before I get in. I determine that one day, I will have those luxuries. Anyhow, as soon as I peer out the front of the car, I notice that ice has completely frosted over the windshield, despite the slight protection of the carport. Great! Getting to Valley View Mall today is going to be more challenging than already expected.

Impatiently, I wait in the car for the defrost to work it's incantation.  The ice slowly disappears as I watch small chunks slide down the glass. At least, this interruption gives me a chance to listen to some cheery holiday tunes, as I remain committed to my Black Friday quest.

Finally, the windshield is all clear, and I can begin the short trip to the mall. Luckily, I live on the north side of town, so I don't have to travel very far down 581 to get there. I would hate to spin out on the freeway.

Despite the early morning hour, Valley View is already packed when I arrive 10 minutes later. This means I will probably sit in traffic for an hour just trying to get back to the thoroughfare when it is time to leave. I don't have time for hesitation.

Parking in the lot just in front of Belk, I quickly exit my car and slam the door shut. It happens to be a little chillier here than it was when I left my apartment. I pull my coat closed, and drag my cap down to cover my ears. I skip across the asphalt in a further attempt to warm myself a little more. Idly, I notice some snow flurries have begun falling. What a delightful surprise!

I breeze through the double glass doors, bringing the frozen air in with me. A couple of people close by almost jump back when the cold hits them unexpectedly. I don't have the good sense to notice how my abrupt entrance has affected other shoppers.

Jaunting swiftly across the store, I am cautious not to disturb anyone else. I, also, try to keep my eyes focused on the path to the entrance to the mall. And, not take notice of all the superfluous Christmas trinkets. Mercifully, it does not take me long to get out of Belk and across the mall to Barnes and Noble.