Welcome back and Merry Christmas Eve. If you missed Chapter 2, it's on IminyJo's page. Go check it out and then come back.
"Get home safe," Rick called out to his employees. He locked the store's door and pulled down its shade.
Michonne arrived at the shop an hour before closing. She rarely ventured out on Christmas Eve and was surprised the toy store was busy. When Rick and his employees were occupied with other customers, she stepped in and even made three sales.
Two slices of pizza sat in the cardboard box. There were two pitchers of Christmas punch, alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Only the non-alcoholic remained half full, the adult version long gone.
She hummed along with Eartha Kitt to her favorite version of Santa Baby.
"You didn't have to stick around to clean," Rick said.
"I didn't stick around to clean," she said. She stacked the used cups and napkins on top of the pizza box.
He stared at her. She stared back.
"Okay then." He smiled and headed to the back room.
She turned her back to him just in time to hide her smile as she moved to the counter to clean. He returned with a black bag and collected the trash.
She had just finished wiping down the table and counter when the lights dimmed, leaving the white twinkle lights running around the walls and the Christmas tree lights to illuminate the store.
"Is this okay?" He asked.
"It's beautiful." She looked down at the pitcher in his hand. "Is that?"
"It is." He poured them each a cup.
She took a sip. "This is a bit stronger. I'm not complaining."
"I saved the good stuff. The key is an extra half cup of rum. More than that and it ruins the taste."
They sat on the floor near the Christmas tree, their backs against the wall, and watched the rain hit the window; the drizzle gave them the closest thing to snow they'd get.
"So you took over the toy store after your grandfather retired?" She asked.
"After he died."
"I'm sorry." She peeked over at him.
"We say that to each other a lot."
"What?"
"Sorry. Why is that?" He looked over at her.
"I don't know."
He took a deep breath and exhaled loudly. There was a lot behind that sigh and it sounded as if whatever it was, he had been holding it inside for a while.
"My grandfather opened this store in 1969. He put his heart and soul into this place. It's part of the community. He's donated toys to sick kids at the children's hospital, kids in foster homes. He left the store to me because he knew I wouldn't sell it like my father would."
"Why would your father want to sell something that meant so much to your grandfather?"
"Even though he has nothing to do with it," Rick said. "Nothing would make him happier than if I have to sell."
She didn't push for an answer about his father. What he was telling her already seemed so intimate. "Why would you have to do that?"
"After my grandfather died the landlord saw his opportunity to raise the rent. I've been supplementing some of the payroll but this rent increase will be too much. When my grandfather died I think most people thought the store would close."
"Well, I think you can improve sales with some basic things like an internet presence. Instagram is a good way to market the store and you'd just need a good web-based sales system. I could help with the marketing plan. I have some contacts. A write up in a monthly luxury magazine would be great." She turned her body toward him.
"Why?"
"The demographics of the magazine are perfect for the store. They have the income—"
Rick studied her. "Why do you want to help me?"
She couldn't say she was compelled to help any store stay in business. She was interested in making sure Rick's store stayed in business. It meant something to his grandfather. It meant something to him. And it was a chance to put her skills to use for something that meant more than the bottom line and a dominating market share.
"Enough about me," he said. "Tell me something about you."
"I'm the Vice President of Marketing for a tech company. I'm good at what I do and I like this store."
"That's the only reason?"
She smiled. "Are you fishing for a hint so you don't have to take a leap?"
He laughed as he stood up and when he returned he sat back down, this time a little closer than he had been sitting before.
"I was saving this for the right time." He handed her an envelope. "Now seems good. It's Merry Christmas and now, thank you."
She held the envelope. "You didn't have to do this."
"And you didn't have to help me or show up and help with the customers or clean up."
She opened the envelope. "Two annual passes to the Bay Area Museums." She looked at him. "What am I going to do with two passes."
He smiled. She loved his smile. It brought out the wrinkles around his eyes like now and his entire face lit up making him even more attractive.
"Well," she said as she looked up and pretended to be in deep thought. "There's this guy who works in my office."
"Ouch."
She laughed. "You can be my plus one anytime."
Michonne hadn't expected exchanging gifts and she wasn't sure how she'd return his generosity but she'd think of something.
They waited in silence until Otis Redding's voice stopped serenading them through the speakers.
"It's late. I better get going," she said.
"Let me grab my keys and lock up. I'll drive you."
"You don't have to do that. It's a five minute walk."
"Yes, I do." He looked out the window. "Besides, it's raining. Stay right there."
Michonne smiled as Rick opened his SUV's passenger door for her. She didn't know what he did for a living and she didn't know what kind of vehicle it was but he seemed to be doing well for himself.
The trip was quick; a right turn and two lefts. They were so engrossed in their conversation they sat in his SUV in front of her house for an hour.
Chapter 4 is written by iminyjo and will be posted on her account (iminyjo) on this site on December 25, 2020.