Ian swept through the doors of the community center and headed toward the room the center used for birthday parties. The day of the wrapping party had finally arrived. He’d not seen or spoken to Brandi since the night he confessed that the movie club was brand new. Hopefully, she’d moved past that and forgiven him.
He strolled into the room where Ray stood along with one other guy and a woman at long tables in the center of the room. His gaze shifted to a pile of toys that filled one corner of the room. “Wow. I hope we have a lot of help coming.”
Ray nodded. “Yep. Every gift is marked with a tag. Remove the tag before wrapping it then reattach it to the wrapped gift. Get busy. We only have two hours until the party.”
“You think we’ll make it?” He wasn’t so sure.
“If everyone shows, we’ll get it done. Speaking of which.” Ray nodded toward the door where a small group of four had gathered.
Ian sucked in a breath. Brandi. She had her hair pulled back, which showed off her beautiful face, and she wore an ugly Christmas sweater with a Rudolph on it that had a glowing red nose. His ugly Christmas sweater was boring by comparison.
“Hi.” Brandi’s green eyes sparkled. She stepped in, allowing room for her friend and the others to enter.
“Welcome,” Ray said then repeated the same instructions he’d given to Ian.
Ian couldn’t stop smiling and humming along to “Jingle Bells,” playing in the background. This was going to be the best Christmas ever. He moved over a little, allowing room for Brandi and Katie to slide in beside him at the table where everyone stood wrapping. So far seven people were helping. They needed to triple that, or they might not finish in time. “I’ll treat the first person to wrap fifteen presents to a hot chocolate, coffee, or tea on me, and no fair only choosing tiny items. The biggest, most awkward item will get five bonus points, so the second closest at the time the person finishes could actually win.”
A hum zipped through the room. He grinned at Ray who nodded his approval. “Ready…set…go!”
Brandi’s scissors tore through the wrap in a clean slice—she’d clearly done this before. “Come on, Katie. We’ve got this.” She shot him a “bring-it-on” look.
Ian chuckled. “You have a competitive streak.”
“You know it.” Brandi whipped the paper into place and in less than thirty seconds had moved onto the next box. “My mom and I like to race each other when we wrap. Then we always go out for dessert afterward to celebrate.”
“I like the way your mom thinks.”
She hustled to the corner and grabbed the biggest gift there. He couldn’t help but wonder if she was working so hard to win for the sake of winning, or so they could have coffee together again. He hoped it was the latter.
Katie worked at a more sedate pace, but she still seemed to only be one gift behind, in spite of the large and awkward shape of Brandi’s package. A woman working across from them looked to be in the spirit of the competition as she tossed a puzzle box onto the table. Come on, Brandi. Don’t let me down. He had no interest in treating anyone else in the room to coffee.
“Hey, Ian,” Ray said. “What do you say I kick in a gift card for twenty-five dollars—winner’s choice on location.”
“Sounds like I need to wrap faster.” Ian rushed for another toy—a remote control car he would have loved when he a kid.
Someone cranked up the tunes, and everyone wrapped like their lives depended on it. It looked like they’d make their deadline with time to spare at this rate. He tilted his head toward Brandi. “How was your Thanksgiving?”
“Great. My uncle introduced the family to his fiancée. She seems like a nice lady. How about you?”
“It was fine.” He’d actually had to work half the day and then went out. His family wasn’t much into the holidays, which is why he so appreciated Ray’s Christmas spirit. It was fun to give to others, and he especially enjoyed the kids and their families.
“Done!” Brandi raised her arms above her head.
“Aw, man.” The woman across from them slowed her pace. “Congratulations.”
Ian almost laughed at the woman’s lack of feeling behind the word. “Since you have the biggest and most awkward gift in the room, you’re the clear winner. There’s no need to do a count.” He couldn’t stop smiling.
“Congratulations, Brandi.” Ray grinned. “Where do you want the gift card for?”
“Can I think about it?”
“Sure. Just let me know before you leave tonight.” He glanced toward the corner. “It looks like we’re about finished. The families should be arriving soon. The manager said to let all of you know you’re welcome and encouraged to stay and mingle. There’s hot dogs and refreshments for everyone in the gym.”
“What about the floor?” a man asked as though scandalized by the idea of eating in there.
“It’s covered,” Ray said. “The manager here, along with the two staff members, are serving the food.”
“Cool,” the guy said.
Ian glanced at the corner where all the gifts had been. “Looks like we’re done.”
Everyone clapped and cheered.
Ray waved his arms. “I forgot one thing. If you decide to stay, please grab a Santa hat from the box beside the door and wear it to the party. Thanks, everyone. I appreciate your speedy work. Merry Christmas!”
Ian turned to face Brandi. Katie stood beside her as if waiting for her friend. “Are you ladies planning to join the party?”
They both nodded.
“Good.” He motioned toward the door. “Shall we?” He followed after them and reached for a hat on the way out. Hats weren’t his thing, but he’d promised Ray he’d wear one. At least he’d provided one for everyone, so Ian wouldn’t be the only person who donned the festive hat. They strolled through the hall toward the gym. The roar of voices and the sound of jazzy Christmas music surrounded them. They stepped into the gym. A stage sat on the far end. Ray had hired a jazz band to play this evening. They were really good, too. Fifty to seventy-five or so people mingled while eating.
“This is it?” Brandi asked. “With all those gifts I thought this place would be packed.”
“More people will sprinkle in. It’s still early.”
Katie excused herself and walked to the other side of the gym closer to the band.
“That’s odd.” Brandi said.
“What?”
“Katie never leaves me alone when we’re at social things unless she has someone else to hang with.”
“Maybe she saw someone she knows.” He motioned toward the food line. “You hungry?”
“Starving actually. That’s cool of the center to provide food and entertainment. It makes the evening even more special for the kids.”
“Yeah, they know how to do Christmas here.” He hadn’t known about the band. It must have been a last minute addition to the festivities. “Are you free tomorrow for coffee? We could meet at that place in Green Lake.”
Her eyes twinkled, and she nodded. “I’d like that. Katie and I’ll be going to Pathway of Lights tomorrow night. It sounds like I’m going to have the perfect weekend.”
His insides leapt. “That sounds like fun. I’ve never been.” He was quiet for a moment, hoping for an invitation to join them, but she didn’t say anything. Though disappointed, he shrugged it off. “What time would you like to meet for coffee?”
“Well…I’m kind of a morning person. I like to beat the crowds. Is eight too early?”
He sucked in a breath. Though he hated to do it, Ray would understand if he had to cancel their one-on-one game of basketball. “Eight is perfect.” They stepped forward in the fast-moving line.
“I didn’t realize how much fun I would have tonight. I’d love to be on the list to help again next year.”
“I’ll let Ray know. You and your friend have been a godsend. It’s sometimes a challenge to find reliable volunteers this time of year.”
“Oh, don’t you worry. Katie and I are dependable, and we’ll be there.”
He reached into his pocket as they moved closer to the food. “I have a little surprise for you. I talked to Ray, and he agreed it wasn’t a problem.”
“What are you talking about?” Confusion covered Brandi’s face.
“This.” He handed her two tickets to the Clay Ball and Auction.
Her face lit, and she tossed her arms around his shoulders and hugged him tightly then released him. “Thank you! Katie will be so excited. I can’t believe you did this.”
Heat surged to his face. He knew she’d wanted to go but had no idea she would respond like that. “You’re welcome. You can thank Ray. He’s the one who made it happen. But maybe thank him with a little less enthusiasm.”
She giggled. “He’s not a hugger. Got it. How about you?”
“You can hug me whenever you’d like.” He ducked his head, realizing too late he probably shouldn’t have said that, but it was the truth.
“Good to know.” Her lips quivered as if she was holding back laughter.
They reached the front of the line, each took a plate with a hotdog and chips on it, then found empty folding chairs.
“Normally I don’t eat like this.” Brandi took a bite and appeared to savor the juicy hot dog. “This is really good.”
He bit into his own and nodded. Ray had done a great job pulling all of this together. His heart for the families that used the community center was apparent in his attention to the details. He only hoped the people appreciated it.
At the top of the hour Santa entered the room—was that Ray?
Brandi spotted Katie sitting in a chair near the band. A little girl was talking to her. Relief washed over Brandi. She worried about her friend in situations like this where she didn’t really know anyone. Katie was a sweetheart, but she had a habit of sequestering herself off from people when in large groups.
The children in the room squealed and clapped. What was going on? Brandi turned in the direction of their attention. Ah…Santa.
“Ho—ho—ho.” The man dragged a large red velvet bag to the corner of the room nearest the entrance and sat on a throne-like chair she hadn’t noticed—probably because it had been at her back the entire time she’d been here. She leaned close to Ian. “Who’s that?”
He spoke into her ear. “Ray. He asked me, but I don’t do Santa. It’s a ridiculous tradition.”
She frowned and kept her voice low so no children would overhear. “Well, I suppose he’s not for everyone, but I always enjoyed the fantasy as a child.”
“Weren’t you disappointed and angry with your parents for lying to you about him?”
“Honestly, it never occurred to me to be angry. My mom explained how the tradition began and why she continued it forward.” She shrugged. “I know the true reason for Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and believe me, I do, but somehow, once I realized Santa wasn’t real, it kind of took the excitement of the holiday right out of me.”
“So by perpetuating a lie, they in essence ruined Christmas for you.”
She shook her head. “Not at all. In fact, someday when I have kids, if they want to believe in Santa, I’ll explain to them the same way my parents did to me when they discover the truth.”
“But what if your husband feels the way I do?”
Her pulse amped up. “Then we’ll have to work it out.” She bumped his shoulder with hers. “Let’s not be so serious and go join the fun. Look, the kids are opening their gifts. I want to watch. I love seeing the happiness on their faces.” She didn’t wait to see if Ian would follow.
A teenage girl opened a small package and grinned.
Brandi scooted closer to see. “Nice. I love glitter nail polish.”
The dark-haired girl looked up at her. “Me too. It’s exactly what I wanted, right down to the brand.”
“Cool.” Who would’ve thought a bottle of nail polish could make a person’s day? Brandi sensed a presence behind and looked over her shoulder. Ian stood there. An incredulous look rested on his face. “Everything okay?”
He nodded and gently pulled her away from the teen. “I’m just surprised at how something so little could make her so happy.”
“I was thinking much the same. I’m really glad you invited me to help with this.” Joy bubbled inside her. Yes, Jesus was the reason for the season, but being able to spread joy and receive it was one of the things she appreciated most. Without Jesus, though, none of this would happen—because without Him there would be no Christmas. Thank You, Lord.
In under an hour, families began to filter out. Katie headed toward Brandi. “You ready to go?”
“Yes. Just let me say good-bye to Ray. I know what I want him to do with the gift card.”
“Okay. I’ll wait here.”
Brandi ambled through the hall until she spotted Ray in the same room they’d wrapped the gifts in. His Santa beard and jacket were off, but the rest of the costume still hung on his body. She tapped the doorjamb.
He looked up and grinned. “Hey, thanks again for your help. Did you decide on a gift card?”
“Yes. I’d like to donate it to the community center to be used toward whatever it needs.”
His eyes widened. “I’ll take care of it. See you around, Brandi.”
She waved and headed back to where she’d left Katie. Ian stood in front of her. The two seemed to be in deep conversation. She sidled up to her friend. “I’m ready now.”
“Good. It was nice talking with you, Ian.” Katie set off for the exit.
“See you in the morning.” Brandi trotted after her friend. What a fun night. If the Clay Ball was half as much fun, it would have been worth the effort. In spite of being tired from a very full day, she doubted sleep would come any time soon. Tonight had been too enjoyable. Plus, she could hardly wait for her coffee “date” with Ian. It wasn’t a real date, so it was okay.