Word Count: 24,002
Summary of Events:
Fancy discovered Eirenna and Shelena had gone out to play and never came back inside, prompting her to undertake a search for them that proved mercifully brief, not that she was impressed with how far they'd wandered. Eirenna learned from Shelena that they were just $1.78 away from the $15 they needed to go see St. Nicholas and asked Fancy again what she wanted for Christmas. Fancy finally decided she'd take a new blanket for Christmas. Eirenna and Shelena searched for $1.78 and Eirenna found a quarter, only to have it stolen from her by a bully; a man walking his dog saw the exchange and gave her $2. Eirenna and Shelena arrived at the church with Deon only to find out that doors were closed for the night, but Eirenna slipped in when a family left and found St. Nicholas . . .
Excerpt of the Day:
"Running feet sounding behind him prompted Vaughan to stop and turn around. He wasn't really sure what he'd expected to see, but a little girl in a royal blue jacket wasn't it.
She stopped short of him, looking breathless and awed. The blue of her coat caused the colour of her eyes to pop; in fact, her eyes looked like they were practically the same colour as her coat — which looked like it'd seen better days.
Rich, dark blonde hair — especially for a child — was woven into two braids that flanked her chin, poking out from her hood.
Her jeans looked faded and worn, on the cusp of developing holes in the knees; her shoes looked to be falling apart too. Considering what he knew of the filtration system the church used, he was surprised that she'd been let in.
"Mr. St. Nicholas sir," she said, her expression earnest. "I wanna make a wish."
Vaughan crouched down and looked at her. "And what is your wish?"
She looked at him, and then at the floor, in thought, then back at him in earnest.
"Can I make a wish for my best friend?" she asked.
"Of course you can," Vaughan replied, so long as it didn't take long he didn't care.
"She wants a brand new dress that's all her own that nobody's ever worn before," she said. "With sequins and ruffles, and she wants it pink, with a black fur Spanish jacket, and new shiny black shoes, and sparkly earrings."
Vaughan nodded. "And you?"
She straightened and clasped her hands in front of herself, looking at him very seriously. "I want a real Christmas, with a Christmas tree that has all the decorations, and an angel on top, and a dinner with the big chicken, and the potatoes, and the brown potato sauce, and all the other Christmas food, and presents for under the tree. Grandma wants new slippers and Mama wants a new blanket."
"And for you?" Vaughan asked.
She opened her mouth, but then closed it, her gaze turning away from him, as if she'd suddenly lost her courage.
"I don't know what I want," she replied. "Other than a real Christmas."
"Well, that's a very fine wish," Vaughan said. "Now may God bless you with a very, merry Christmas."
She stared at him as he straightened. He moved the fingers of his right hand toward her in a subtle shooing motion. She turned and hurried back down the hallway.
Vaughan turned and resumed his trip to the dressing room. All he could say was that he was glad another night was over; and he was even more glad because he got to spend the morning tomorrow with Chelsea. About the only unfortunate thing about it all was the fact that he couldn't spend all day with Chelsea, which he would've much preferred over a double-length shift as St. Nicholas."
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