Page 85 of Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal
Narrator: And once again, this is why you’re my favorite.
“Which one?”
“I don’t know,” Betty cutely says as she scans the wooden ornaments in BKJ’s vendor booth. “They’re all so good.”
“You can take all of them, but that might cost you a pretty penny,” I say.
“Yeah, which I don’t have.” She examines the one of a house with a wreath carved above the front door that she keeps going back to. “This one is just so intricate and beautiful, and this will sound lame.” She turns to look up at me. “But buying a house ornament the first year I’m in Kringle for the Christmas season feels symbolic in a way, like I’m accepting this town as my new home.”
“Yeah, I like that, and not lame at all,” I say as I move in behind her and pluck the ornament I was looking at from the booth. It’s of a Christmas tree in the back of a truck that resembles mine. I swear he carved this ornament just for me. “I think this is the one I will go with.”
“Ooo, I like that one. It’s very... you.”
“That’s what I was thinking as well,” I say and then gently take her ornament from her hand.
“What are you doing?” she asks.
“Buying them.”
“You don’t need to buy my ornament, Atlas.”
“I told you we were going to experience this town, right?” I ask.
“Yes, but how is that experiencing the town?”
“Because in Kringle, you will find that we’re all giving and welcoming, and we want people to find joy in the season, so this is a way for you to see that.” From the curve in her lip, I can see she is barely buying my load of crap, but hey, she doesn’t stop me as I carry the ornaments over to BKJ.
With a jolly smile, he takes them from me and asks, “Having a good night, you two?”
“I’d say so. What do you think, Betty?” I nudge her playfully.
“I am,” she says softly, smiling.
“I’m glad. Nice to see you two enjoying each other.” He rings me up, I pay, and then he hands me a small paper bag with both ornaments. “I thought of you when carving that ornament, Max.”
“I was wondering.”
“Glad it found its way to you.” He offers us a wink. “Taking them to the tree?”
“Yup,” I say. “Got to teach Betty about the town.”
“Couldn’t think of a better person to do that.” He looks at Betty and says, “You’re in good hands.”
“I hope so,” she says as she looks up at me with those soulful eyes.
I smile down at her and say, “You are.” Then I turn to BKJ and say, “Have a good night, man.”
“You too. And merry Christmas.” He offers us a wave with his meaty paw, and I take Betty’s hand again and direct her toward the center of Ornament Park.
“What tree is he talking about?” Betty asks.
You know, I have to admit, she’s extremely cute, especially when she’s not grumbling at me. When she’s in a good mood, her personality shines through, along with her smile... and those lips.
Those lips that I want more of.
And thankfully, this town is presenting me another opportunity to indulge. Before I answer her about the tree, we walk through a gate and pause. A confused expression crosses her face right before I pull her in at the waist.
“Wh-what are you doing?” she asks, her hand falling to my chest to catch her balance.
