Chapter 4
That Saturday morning, Becky and Jesse were making breakfast, while D.J. and Joey were sitting at the island. D.J. was complaining about how she had practically none of her shopping done. "It's really not fair to expect me to buy gifts for everyone when senior year is so hectic. Between all of my honors classes and the school newspaper, I barely have time to get a good night's sleep."
"Just be glad you're getting any sleep at all." Becky winced as she got a flashback of her hectic senior year. Then again… "Come freshman year of college, you'll be pulling all-nighters. Frequently."
Jesse stood still a minute, then smiled. Perfect. "You guys just gave me an idea. How about we just take the day off from whatever we have to do and spend it together."
Joey got excited. "Oh, that's great, Jess! There's this cartoon marathon on T.V. that I've been dying to watch…" When he noticed the others were giving him looks that clearly said, "Not on your life," he calmed down a bit. "…or, you know, if anyone else has any other ideas…"
"How about this." Becky said, "We can all go shopping at the mall. That way, Deej and you guys can get some of your Christmas shopping done. It's a few weeks before Christmas, so the mall shouldn't be too jammed yet. And besides, I've been meaning to take Nicky and Alex to see Santa." Moreover, Becky herself could use a couple of new additions to her wardrobe…
"That sounds like fun, Aunt Becky." Shopping always relaxed D.J., no matter how stressed she was. "I'll go tell Dad." D.J. got off her stool and went to search for her father.
"Becky, I don't know if it's such a good idea to visit Santa when we're with Michelle." Jesse commented. He and Danny had explained to Becky what had happened to Michelle a few days ago. "She might get upset."
Becky frowned. "Well then, we'll just make sure she's with someone else while you and I go with Nicky and Alex. No problem."
An hour later, Stephanie was humiliated to note that every member of the Tanner household stood in the foyer of the San Francisco mall. I really hope none of my friends is here. "Dad, can I go now? I told Gia to meet me here." As soon as her dad had told her that they were all going to the mall, Stephanie had hastily called her new friend Gia and begged her to come to the mall. That way, she wouldn't have to spend her Saturday in a crowded mall with "The Tanner Bunch."
Danny sighed. Ever since D.J. told him about the trip this morning, he had been looking forward to spending the day with the entire family. Still, he understood Stephanie's request. He didn't want to hang around his family in public when he had been her age. "Alright, Steph, but hold on while I check that everyone has everything. Let's see – water bottles, color-coded maps, snacks, money, toilet paper…"
D.J. interrupted. "Dad, the mall closes in a few hours. I think we have everything."
"Okay, but you all know to go to Customer Services in case you get separated from the group…" He stopped short and looked around. Everybody had gone in different directions, leaving him alone in front of the entrance. Ah, well, so much for Tanner Family Fun Day.
Jesse, Becky D.J. and Michelle, along with Nicky and Alex, were walking along the western section of the mall. They passed tons of store fronts, each advertising special sales for Christmas. The group had gone into several stores already, and as a result their arms were laden with shopping bags. "Mommy, I don't want to walk no more," Alex declared.
"Yeah, shopping boring. I wanna see Santa Claus." Nicky added. Then both of the boys started chanting, "Santa Claus" over and over, very loudly.
Seeing that the other shoppers were starting to stare, Jesse said, "You know, Beck, something tells me that we should take them to see Santa Claus."
"You're perceptiveness never ceases to amaze me, Jess." Becky said sarcastically. "Ok, boys, let's go see Santa!" Unfortunately, she forgot that Michelle was with them. "D.J., why don't you take Michelle to the toy store?" She didn't want to hurt Michelle's feelings by making her watch the boys sit on "Santa's" lap.
However, it never occurred to Michelle that department store Santas didn't exist. She had completely forgotten about them while asking her dad about Santa myths. Now that she resolved to believe in Santa, she still felt that mall Santas were the real thing. Oh yeah - Santa is right here in the mall! Michelle thought excitedly. All I have to do is make sure Daddy sees him! But Daddy isn't here…wait, I can just ask Santa to come see Daddy with me! Now that she had a plan, she looked up at Becky with pleading eyes, "Aunt Becky, can I go with you?"
"Sure Michelle." Becky was confused. She thought for sure that Michelle wouldn't want to come. But Michelle is mature for her age. She might even be over the whole Santa thing already.
Nicky and Alex shouted happily. "Yea, Michelle's coming! Let's go!" The twins started running down the corridor, leaving their parents and cousins to catch up.
Soon the kids and panting adults reached the end of the hallway, where "Take A Picture With Santa" was set up. The mall had become increasingly crowded since the family had arrived, and the line to see Santa was a mile long. But Nicky, Alex, and Michelle persisted, and consequently they, as well as an impatient Jesse, Becky, and D.J. were standing behind at least twenty people with kids. Jesse wasn't in the mood to wait an hour to see some guy dressed in a Santa suit. He would have willingly donned the suit at home, but noooo, Becky had to have an official mall picture. "Boys, do you really need to see Santa?" Jesse asked.
"Yes we do." Alex answered, and Nicky nodded in agreement.
The six waited for another half hour, and then it was finally time for Nicky and Alex to sit on Santa's lap. However, just as the two was about to walk up the red-carpeted stairs leading to the "throne" Santa sat on, they were stopped by two elfin helpers. "Sorry, kids," one of them said, without an ounce of sympathy in her voice, "Santa has to go on break now. He'll be back in thirty minutes."
"What?!" Jesse exclaimed. There was no way that he or his kids were going to have to wait another half hour. "Come on, can't Santa just take one more picture? Where's your Christmas spirit?"
The elf just glared at him, her hands on her hips, "It left, along with my dignity, as soon as I put on this stupid outfit." That said, the green-clad worker walked away, the bells on her elf slippers ringing loudly.
While Becky, Jesse, and D.J. argued with the other elf, Michelle watched Santa, who was slowly getting off the throne. She, unnoticed by the adults, followed him past the snow-covered scenery. Making sure not to lose him among the multitude of shoppers, she pursued him for what seemed like forever until he reached a door marked "Employees Only." Santa took a key out of his furry red coat, unlocked the door, and went inside.
Michelle eagerly went after him. The door had fortunately been left open, and she peered in. She was extremely disappointed by what she saw. There were at least half a dozen Santas drifting about, some of them only having Santa pants and a t-shirt, and none of them wearing a beard or a hat. The Santa she followed hat sat down on a bench, and was now taking off his beard, which Michelle had originally thought was real. So Daddy was right. There is no Santa Claus. Feeling tears well up in her eyes, she ran away into the mall, unsure of where she was going.