The Saturday before Thanksgiving finally arrived. Savannah peered from behind the forest green velvet drape that separated The Enchanted Land of Claus from the rest of Howardson’s. Excited squeals of children pierced the already charged air, with parents trying to hush them, asking for patience as Santa was almost here.
“Fern,” whispered Savannah from the concealed corner behind the thick drape, ”there’s got to be over one hundred people out there! What have I gotten myself into?” Self-doubt began to seep deeply through Savannah’s psyche and suddenly the idea of portraying Mrs. Claus became more mortifying than merry. She was never one for large crowds, but this was no crowd, it was a deluge of holiday shoppers waiting to enter The Enchanted Land of Claus and expecting an extravaganza nothing short of spectacular.
“You’ve gotten yourself into a stunning dress,” said Fern, adjusting the seed-pearl collar. ”Here, put this on. I just whipped it up last night.” Fern handed Savannah a wad of her infamous white tissue paper. Savannah carefully unwrapped it and uncovered a stocking hat made from the same soft velvet of the dress. It was a shade darker blue and had snowflakes embroidered on the top with the effervescent seed pearls sewn intricately into each flake, giving off a sparkling effect. It was trimmed in white faux fur, exactly matching her dress and a huge white pompom dangled from the tail.
Fern stood on a stool and adjusted it on top of Savannah’s head.
“You know, I’m not really a hat person,” said Savannah as Fern pulled down hard to get the effect she wanted. She tugged the triangular part of the hat down to the left and fluffed up the pompom so would fall right at Savannah’s ear, where glittery diamond earrings hung from Savannah’s lobes.
“That’s the ticket!” Fern said and quickly flashed a mirror in front of Savannah’s face.
“See? The finishing touch.” Fern whipped the mirror back into her pocket before Savannah could even get a look.
“Five minutes ‘til showtime!” Fred called. ”Places everyone!” His booming voice and loud hand clapping sent the elves scurrying in different directions—some to the hot chocolate stands, and some to the Reindeer Village where mechanical reindeer practiced their take-off skills.
“Mrs. Claus, a word please,” Fred took Savannah aside.
“When I pull on the cord, the curtain will slowly open, and you’ll be standing in front while the elves will be right behind you ready to escort our guests into The Enchanted Land of Claus. When you hear me ring the bell,” his large hand pointed to a huge gold bell off to the side, ”you’ll say ‘Welcome, Everyone to The Enchanted Land of Claus!’ Then the elves will take it from there.”
“What? You want me to make an introduction?” Savannah could feel her heart race and her hands start to shake. Public speaking terrified her.
“It’s seven words,” Fred said counting out the words on his sausage-thick fingers. ”Oh, sorry eight. Didn’t anyone tell you this?”
Leo suddenly crept up behind him and whispered, ”two minutes, Sir.”
“No, no one told me anything. Fern…” Savannah turned to ask Fern for some kind of explanation, but she had disappeared, no doubt conveniently hiding behind one of the life-sized candy canes.
“Too late now,” said Fred, his burly hands grabbing onto the thick heavy velour rope, slowly pulling it down like Quasimodo in the bell tower. Savannah watched in horror as the drapes slowly opened.
Savannah closed her eyes tightly. This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance for which she was personally chosen, and she wouldn’t let Matthew, Howardson’s, and most importantly, herself, down. She then heard her mother’s voice whisper the words that always encouraged Savannah when she was nervous about presenting projects in elementary school.
“Time to shine, my dear Savannah.”
The bell clanged loudly, and two elves suddenly appeared on each side of her. The drapes opened and Savannah found herself extending her arms open in pure delight. Upon seeing what seemed like thousands of smiling faces, any fear or inhibition that consumed Savannah for the last few moments completely vanished. With outstretched arms she happily greeted the eager Howardson’s Emporium Christmas customers.
“Welcome, everyone, to The Enchanted Land of Claus!”
Savannah Brady’s chance of a lifetime had officially begun.