Ooops! Sorry guys. Chalk it up to being tired all the time. I accidently posted my Rex vs. to my Sidebar story. I had only finished the Rex vs and not the Sidebar yet but now I had to rush it so that my poor Sidebar will not sit empty.
I do not own.
Noah looked at the necklace from the window. It would be perfect for Claire but the price tag hanging off the side mocked him. He checked his wallet. Not even close. He sighed. It looks like he'd have to find Claire a different gift. It was their first Christmas together officially as boyfriend and girlfriend. He happened to see her jewelry box filled with glittering pieces. When he off-handedly mentioned it, she told him a lot of it was from her former admirers. He gulped. That was a lot of competition.
He trudge away from the window when he spotted a sign.
HELP WANTED FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON.
It was in front of a weird store that he had never noticed before. He walked inside. The inside did not match the modern design of the mall. The wooden floor creaked when he walked on it. The wooden shelves looked sturdy unlike the other store's flimsy plastic ones. On the shelves sat old fashion wooden toys, the type that would have been made by hand in the 1800 or 1900's.
"Wow, this is old school." Noah muttered.
"I thought the term you kids use now a days was OG." A sprightly old woman popped up from behind a counter.
"Auugghh!" Noah jumped back.
"Oh sorry, didn't mean to startle you. What can I do to help you?" She smiled pleasantly.
"I… uh… was looking for a job." Noah stuttered trying to stop his heart from beating out of his chest.
"Oh, yes, the help wanted. I'm looking for someone who can do some heavy lifting. These old bones aren't what they use to be." She chuckled.
"I can do that." Noah agreed.
"Great, can you start now?" She asked.
"Like as in this very second?" Noah gulped. "I guess."
"Wonderful!" She clasped her hands together. "Now to celebrate." She pulled out a tray of hot cocoa and a plateful of decorated sugar cookies. "The hubby loves these."
Noah hesitantly picked up a Christmas tree cookie. He wasn't sure he should eat it not knowing where it came from but under the sparkling eyes of his new employer he took a nibble.
"Wow, that's really good." He declared taking a bigger bite.
"Of course, it's my secret recipe…" She leaned over and whispered. "It's made out of people."
Noah choked on the next bite.
The lady laughed. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding. People are too hard to bake, anyway."
Noah who was now in the throes of a coughing fit tried to pretend he had known all along.
"When you've finished with your little snack, please unpack these boxes and stack that empty shelf over there." The old lady said.
"Ok." Noah agreed. "By the way, my name is…"
"Noah?" The old lady finished for him.
Noah stood gaping at her.
"Oh, don't look so surprised. I've seen you walking around the mall with your friends… Rick? Ron?"
"Rex?" He supplied.
"Yes, Rex. He's quite destructive but his heart's in the right place as is yours." She smiled. "You can call me Gertie."
"Sure, Gertie." Noah said as he finished his cocoa. He went over to a box and started opening it. He was surprised to see dozens of handcrafted wooden trains.
"They're beauties aren't they?" Gertie said from behind him. "They don't make it like those anymore." She shook her head. "Now all kids play with are things that beep and bop. There's no more imagination or sense of wonder anymore. Oh, well. I guess I'm just old-fashioned."
Noah watched her walk away. He pulled up a stool and began placing the trains on the shelf starting from the highest and making his way down.
That day he sat in the shop keeping Gertie company. No one came in. Noah saw that people didn't even look in their direction. He felt guilty himself, since he never noticed the shop either until he needed a job.
"Closing time!" Gertie announced. "Here's your pay for the day."
"Oh, uh don't I get paid at the end of the week by check with the appropriate amount deducted for tax purposes?" Noah asked.
Gertie laughed. "You always were a stickler for the rules. I like to do things the old way. Don't worry, I won't stiff you on payment or the government on their money. Everything will be on the level. But I figured you'd like to have some cash tonight to take your lady friend out."
Noah's ears turned red. "Um, I was going to save it for something."
"Oh that pretty necklace? Yes, that's a very thoughtful gift." She nodded.
"How did you know…" Noah was once again shocked.
"I saw you burning a hole in the glass. There's not a lot of traffic here. I have a lot of free time to observe." Gertie said. "Here you go."
Noah accepted the wad of cash wondering how she could afford to pay him if there was no money coming into the store. But that wasn't his problem. "Thanks." He accepted it.
"See you tomorrow after school." She waved as he left.
0o0
"What do you mean you can't play ball?" Rex scowled at his friend.
"I got a job." Noah said as he walked past Rex.
"What do you need a job for?" He followed his friend.
Noah sighed. "I'm saving up for a gift for Claire."
"Are you trying to impress her again?" Rex groaned. "Why don't you just get her some flowers…"
"Flowers? She has a whole box of shiny things and you want me to get her dinky flowers?" Noah asked.
"Uh, is that a trick question?" Rex asked.
"Nevermind." He walked to the bus stop.
Seeing that he had upset his friend, Rex offered him a ride on his Rex Ride. Noah hesitated for a minute but then got on.
They arrived at the mall fairly quickly since Rex was able to dodge traffic.
"I guess I'll just hang out at the mall while you work." Rex said as they both entered. "But first, I want to see where you work…" Rex trailed off as they stood in front of the store.
"Here it is." Noah said.
"Wow, it's old school like Six." Rex said as he peered into the window.
"Yeah, the owner's odd but she's nice. Want to come in?" Noah opened the door.
"Really, don't you usually want me to stay away from your work places?" Rex frowned.
"If you didn't to break anything, I wouldn't mind you at work." Noah countered.
"What have I ever broken… besides a cart, and the lamp, and that actor?" Rex asked.
"How about three city blocks?" Noah reminded him.
"That was the EVO not me." Rex retorted.
The door opened and Gertie peeked out. "Ready to work Noah?"
"Oh yeah, sure. This is my friend…" Noah started introducing Rex.
"Rex! How nice to see you! Would you like some cookies?" She asked.
"No!" Noah said while Rex said, "Sure!"
"Well, come in." She invited him in. She pulled more cookies out from under the counter as well as a cup of hot cocoa.
"Ooo, it has little marshmallows." Rex said.
"Rex, hurry up and get out." Noah hissed at him.
"What's the hurry? It doesn't look like you're very busy." Rex observed.
Noah looked around. It was true. He had not seen one person in the store.
"Well, I don't want you distracting me at work." Noah replied.
"Thank you for the cookies." Rex told Gertie while ignoring Noah.
"Oh you're welcome dear." She smiled. "It's always nice to have some company."
Rex stayed the whole time. Noah spent the time cleaning and organizing the space. Glancing out the window he saw people walk by without even looking at the store.
They needed to advertise.
"Advertise?" Gertie frowned. "Oh, I don't think I have that kind of budget."
"I mean you don't have to buy ad space or anything, but make some flyers and hand them out in the store." Noah suggested.
"Oh that's a splendid idea." Then her face fell. "But printing flyers cost money as well."
Noah thought a moment before making a decision. "How about you use the money you were going to give me today to make flyers?"
Rex choked on his cocoa and almost spit the drink from his mouth.
"That's very kind of you but I did agree to pay you." Gertie frowned.
"And you will, but you need to keep this shop running. Why don't you print the flyers, I can distribute them around the mall and get some people in here. Then when you make some sales you can pay me."
"That's wonderful but are you sure it's something you will be all right with?" She asked.
"Yeah," He nodded.
"Well, then let's get a flyer made." She beamed.
It took a couple of hours because Noah was a perfectionist. Using his penchant formaking charts and graphs he was able to produce a decent eye catching flyer. He and Rex went upstairs to the printers. Thirty minutes later they left with an armful of colorful flyers.
Once they deposited some of their flyers at the store, they began canvassing the mall distributing the papers to anyone who would take one. Many ended up in the garbage cans.
At the end of the day, they came back with not a single customer coming into the store.
"You boys tried your best." Gertie said. "And it was very kind of you."
"No, we're not done yet." Noah said determinedly. "I'll hang some flyers on my way home and tomorrow I'll hand out more in the mall."
"That's so kind of you. You both are good boys." Gertie said.
"I know." Rex acknowledged. Noah rolled his eyes.
"Since I can't pay you, accept these toys as my thanks." She handed Rex and Noah each a toy. Noah got a wooden train and Rex got a wind-up tin soldier.
As they walked out of the mall, Rex turned to Noah. "I thought you were going to save that money for a present for Claire?"
"I know, but I can't stand by and watch Gertie not get any customers. She's a nice lady and I'm sure if people saw how cool her stuff is, they'll buy it." Noah answered. "Then I can get paid and get the gift."
"Hey Noah?" Rex said to his friend.
"What?" Noah asked.
"You're delusional… but in a good way." Rex said.
"Uh thanks?" Noah was not sure how to respond.
"I hope your plan works out." He continued.
"Yeah, me too."
0o0
The next day, Noah tried again to get people into the store. Once again, the store remained empty.
"I'm sorry Noah, but it looks like I won't be able to pay you. You don't have to come back tomorrow." Gertie told him sadly.
"No, I'll come back to help out. There has to be a way to get people to come." He pounded his fist into his hand." Noah paced the store. "The charts I made don't lie. As soon as people learn about your superior toys, they'll flock here to buy them. But how do we get them to come?"
There was a commotion outside. Noah went to see what was causing the ruckus.
"Come one! Come all and see the amazing hand made toys from Gertie's Workshop!"
It was Rex. He had formed his Funchucks and were spinning them to get people's attention. They rescinded when a small crowd gathered. "Now take a look at this well made specimen." He pulled out his tin soldier, wounded it, and formed his Block Party. Placing it on one glowing disc, it marched right to the edge when it dropped right onto his other Block Party. He moved around with the toy shifting from his right to left Block Party. People started murmuring. Noah got an idea. He pulled several toys from the shelf and ran to join Rex. He placed the train on the ground and pushed it. It rolled smoothly along the ground while the smoke stack moved up and down. He wounded up some toy drummers and placed them on the floor. The crowd grew bigger and before long some of them started moving into the store.
Rex and Noah looked at each other triumphantly.
0o0
"You boys did a wonderful job." She said happily. "That was most successful business I have ever had on Christmas eve." She handed an envelope to Noah. "You've earned this."
"Thank you." Noah accepted the envelope. "I hope you don't mind, but I got to get to the store before it closes." Noah bolted out of the store and ran across to the jewelry store. When he arrived, he stopped in his tracks. The necklace was gone. Not believing his eyes, he went into the store.
"Excuse me sir." He said breathlessly. "What happened to the necklace in the window?"
"That? It's been sold already.
"Do you have another?"
"No, it was the last one. Can I interest you in a different necklace?"
"No, thanks." Knowing he couldn't afford anything else, Noah left dejectedly.
"Oh Noah, you left so fast that I didn't have time to give you this." Gertie handed him a package.
"Thank you." Noah didn't even look at it.
"Remember Noah, Claire likes you for who you are not what you can give her." Gertie said sagely. "Don't short change yourself or her."
"Right. Thanks." Noah said not really hearing.
"Well, thank you for all your help. I'm sure you'll go very far in your life." Gertie hugged him warmly before leaving Noah alone.
"Hey, dude, want a lift home?" Rex bounded over cheerfully.
"Whatever." Noah said glumly.
"What's the matter? You helped Gertie like you wanted." Rex walked with his depressed friend.
"I know, but I really wanted to get that necklace for Claire." He sighed.
"Ah, don't worry. Claire will love whatever you give her." He said.
"But I wanted it to be special." Noah groaned.
"Yeah, I get that. But there's always next year." They stepped outside. He formed his Rex Ride. "Coming?"
Noah got on and they drove off. Rex dropped Noah off before.
Noah slowly walked toward his door. Just as he was about to open the door, it swung open.
"Claire!" Noah was surprised to see her.
"Hey Noah, I came by to drop off your present. We're leaving tomorrow for my aunt's house." She said cheerfully.
"Oh, uh, I…" Noah stammered nervously. He forgot about the package in his hand.
"Is this for me?" She asked taking the parcel in his hand.
"Well, um actually…" Noah gulped watching Claire rip open the package. She gasped.
Inside was a simple box. When she opened it, a small ballerina began turning while music played. In the center, a beautiful silver necklace hung sparkling in the light.
"Oh Noah, this is beautiful." Tears popped into her eyes. "My mother had a music box just like this. We lost it when we moved. Thank you." She hugged him.
"You're welcome." He hugged her back.
0o0
The next day, Noah hurried to see Gertie. As he entered the mall he walked to where the store was located. He paused when he arrived. It was an empty shell with a metal gate pulled over it. He peered in. It looked nothing like it did yesterday. There were no wooden shelves, counters, or any toys. It looked like it had been empty for months.
He spotted a security guard. "Excuse me, where did Gertie's Workshop go?"
"There's never been a Gertie's Workshop, kid." The man said gruffly. "I've been here for twenty years and there's never been a store with that name."
"But it's right here!" Noah pointed to the empty store.
The guard glanced at the shop. "That use to be a clothing store. It's been empty for months."
He left Noah gawking at the empty store. Confused he looked again at the metal gates. Suddenly, he saw a small envelope addressed to him.
Looking around to see if anyone was around he picked up the envelope.
Opening it, he unfolded the letter.
Dear Noah,
You are a good boy. You need to have more confidence in yourself. People who are truly your friends love you for who you are, not what you do. And there are many things to love about you my friend.
Love,
Gertie
Noah looked at the note for a second before shoving into his pocket. Looking up into the air, he whispered, "Thanks, Gertie," before walking away with a spring in his step.
So it's a little cheesy. But Christmas stories are suppose to be cheesy. Hope you enjoyed it.