The Wish List Read online

  Texas?

  Could this be the guy in the dark coat and cute boots she saw entering the shop earlier?

  Marc kept going. “Kids, did you know Santa needs elves who can program software? Let’s cheer for him as he comes.”

  Marc started clapping. His audience of little ones followed suit.

  Freddie felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned to face a man with a heavy moustache wearing a green and red felt hat.

  “Excuse me, Miss,” he said then he paused, locking eyes with her for several seconds.

  The look in his deep-set brown eyes took her back to memories of a young man she met at a pre-college STEM camp in San Antonio. She was almost 15 and he was 18. He was taller now, by at least an inch or two, and much leaner about the face and neck. In addition to his facial hair, his jawline was more defined, making him look a little like Ricky Martin, her childhood heartthrob.

  Could this really be the young man who helped her grasp Calculus? The guy who declared his love for her and kissed her on the night of her quince almost 15 years ago?

  “Jesús?” she whispered, not bothering to hide the surprise in her voice.

  “Yes?” He frowned at her for a moment before a glimmer of recognition flashed in his eyes.

  “How are you, Frederica?” he asked.

  “You remember me?”

  “Of course. How could I forget—”

  “Elf Zeus,” Marc called out and motioned his story hour partner closer. “Don’t get distracted by the pretty single lady in the back. I think I heard something about Santa sending some special gifts for good little boys and girls.”

  “Excuse me,” Zeus said.

  As Zeus went forward, Freddie received a text.

  It was from Chelsea: You know this guy?

  Freddie rolled her eyes and slipped her cell phone back into her pocket, ignoring her friend. Her phone vibrated again. She glanced to Chelsea, standing a little closer now and looking aggravated.

  “What is it?” Freddie whispered to Chelsea.

  Chelsea glared at her. “Answer my text, pretty single lady.”

  To their right, a man holding a child’s jacket shushed Chelsea.

  “I’m sorry, sir,” Freddie volunteered in hushed voice. “My friend Chelsea Parker is being rude. She’s not using her inside voice, is she?”

  Chelsea gave him an apologetic smile. “We’ll go over there to continue our conversation. My apologies for my friend, Freddie Martinez.”

  Another parent looked at them and pressed a finger across her closed lips. Mimicking the gesture, Chelsea and Freddie stepped several feet back in unison.

  When all disapproving eyes were no longer on them, Chelsea leaned closer to Freddie. “So, how do you know this guy from Texas?”

  “My family lived in Texas the year before we moved to Raleigh. I told you that.”

  “Hmm. But you never told me about Zeus.”

  Zeus pulled a string bag from his back and shook it up and down. It bulged with something that rustled. “Yes, I have a special gift, Santa Marc, but it’s only for the little kids who can prance like a reindeer.”

  “We called him Jesús back then or Jay for short, sometimes.”

  “This was the guy who kissed you at your quinceañera, right?”

  Freddie nodded. “I’m surprised you remembered.”

  “I’ve heard that story more than once,” Chelsea replied.

  Zeus placed the bag on the floor and commenced to demonstrating moves that made Freddie think of a rabbit or kangaroo rather than a reindeer, but these were small children, after all. What did they know about deer prancing?

  Marc howled with laughter as the kids all sprang to their feet, prancing and dancing with delight to impress Elf Zeus. After pressing his Santa hat firmly onto his head, Marc slid from his perch and started hopping and skipping with the kids. All six foot two of him jumping and gyrating like a three-year-old, not like the ex-NFL player she knew he was. She’d never seen this side of him. A few parents stood and joined the ruckus. Passersby from the adult book sections craned their necks to see what was going on. One person was taking pictures with their cell phone.

  Freddie’s dark mood evaporated. After a few seconds, she was giggling with the other onlookers. Jesús aka Zeus may have changed on the outside but he was still the same fun-loving guy. He was no longer the short, dumpy guy who followed her around telling her about all his nerdy discoveries on the computer. Now, Zeus was hot.

  “Who knew he’d be so good with kids?” she mumbled as she took in the full spectacle. “That’s some major elfin magic right there.”

  “Are you talking about his rapport with the children or the way he looks in those jeans?”

  “A little of both, honestly.” She giggled.

  “Eeeeeverboooody freeeeeeze,” Zeus sang out. “!Congelar! Freeze! Like an icicle.”

  Most of the kids fell into a giggly wiggly panting pile in the middle of the gathering. It looked like so much fun and Freddie regretted not joining in.

  Marc stood on one foot with both hands seemingly frozen midair. “Okay, Elf Zeus. Did we do a good job?”

  Zeus was breathing hard and gulping for air. “Yeah. Whew.” He paused and wiped non-existent sweat from his brow. “They all did great, Santa Marc. I’m so tired, I think I’ll take a nap. Us software engineer-elves get tired quick.”

  “No,” a little boy yelled from the front row. “Give us our prize first, before you go to sleep. You promised.”

  “The kid’s got a point, Elf Zeus,” Marc said. “A promise is a promise.”

  Zeus screwed his mouth to one side. “Tough crowd. No rest for the weary elves, I guess.” He retrieved his bag from the floor and pulled out what looked like a postcard. “This is a pass to rides at the first ever Wake City Christmas party next Saturday. You each get one pass. There’s gonna be so much Christmas fun. Bounce houses. Christmas movies on a jumbotron. Live Christmas music. Live Nativity. Outdoor ice skating. Food trucks.”

  The crowd gasped and applauded.

  “It’s a charity event and the proceeds go to the Children’s Hospital so tell all your friends,” Zeus added. “Oh, oh. One more thing. If you purchase a children’s book from this store today, you get a token for a free bag of popcorn that night.”

  This announcement earned him more cheers and another round of applause.

  “Can I go too, Chelsea?” Freddie asked, taking care to keep her voice low.

  “You didn’t do the elf dance.”

  “It was a reindeer prance.”

  “You know what I meant.”

  Zeus handed the bag to Marc who started passing the cards to the kids.

  Zeus continued, “And remind your parents to download the Wake City mobile app. It’s called the Wish List App, developed by a company called Sousa Source. It will support local nonprofits like the Literacy Council. The Wake City Partners Group Home for displaced children. The Wake City Children’s Hospital. There’s so many. Remember kids, Christmas isn’t just about getting stuff. It’s about giving and loving others. So many kids need our help all year round. Have a Merry Christmas.”

  “Wow,” Marc exclaimed as he finished hanging out postcards. “This is so cool. Thanks for taking a break from coding to hang out with us at the bookstore. What do you say to Elf Zeus, kids?”

  “Thanks, Elf Zeus,” came the spirited response from the children.

  Zeus doffed his hat with flourish and bowed. “My pleasure. Now, I must bid you farewell. Hopefully, I’ll see you all at the celebration in two weeks. Can’t wait to prance like a reindeer in a bouncy house. Goodbye until then.”

  Chelsea nudged Freddie. “Look at that hair. Dude has some major coiffage under that elf hat. I’ll bet it’s soft to the touch.”

  “And you call me shallow,” Freddie said.

  The vocal kid from the front row sprang to his feet. He wrapped his arms around Zeus’ legs. “Thanks, Elf Zeus.”


  Chelsea cooed, “Awww. And this is the guy you swapped spit with back in Texas.”

  “Stop it, Chels.”

  Zeus’ surprise melted into a wide grin. “You’re welcome, kid.”

  “You can go take a nap now,” the boy said.

  “I think I will go catch a few winks after all.” He folded his hands and pressed them against his cheek. “But first I have to say hello to an old friend.” He looked at Freddie and smiled. “It’s been a long long time. Hopefully, she remembers me.”

  Freddie nodded and whispered. “Yes, Elf Zeus. She does.”

  Chapter 3

  Freddie stood still and watched Zeus interacting with the audience. Most of them stood around talking to him and Marc. Some went to the shelves and selected books to purchase. Though not as tall as Marc and several of the other men in the crowd, Zeus seemed at ease.

  Freddie felt like a moth drawn to his flame.

  “Ahem.” Chelsea nudged her. “Do I need to pull you forward?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I’m not used to the shy Freddie.”

  “I’m not being shy.”

  “Just a few minutes ago you were standing back here talking about the elfin magic he was doing with his hips. Now, you can barely move. What happened to all that bravada?”

  “I’m not shy, Chels. You know me. I’m … I’m just giving the man some space. He’s swamped with little people.”

  Zeus stooped to take a selfie with a set of twin girls. Three more children and their parents appeared to be waiting their turn.

  “See,” Freddie pointed. “He’s doing his job.”

  “Software engineering is his job, apparently.” Chelsea waved at Marc as they made eye contact. He blew her a kiss. “Now I remember Marc saying something about the town getting a new app service. Small world, huh? Wake City’s new app brings your old flame back into the picture. Marc and I are going to eat at Ciro’s Place. Maybe you and your old boyfriend can join us.”

  “He’s not my old flame or my boyfriend,” Freddie admitted through tight lips. “The day we left Texas I told him that there would never be anything between us.”

  “What! Oh my goodness, Freddie. You did not.” Chelsea covered her mouth with her hand and gasped.

  “Okay. Honesty time. He wrote me a letter that I never opened and during that first few months after we moved, he sent me at least 20 emails. I didn’t respond. Ended up changing my email address.”

  “You’re cruel. I had no idea you could be so mean, Freddie. He wanted to marry you.”

  “It wasn’t like that. I was 15 years old for crying out loud. He was a high school senior. He’d been accepted to the University of Texas San Antonio. I was focused more on picking the right nail polish and hairspray. Not on becoming someone’s wife. Although I am glad he helped me understand Calculus.”

  “You could say you owe your success in your career to this man who you treated like a toad.”

  Freddie laughed. “Well, he was a toad.”

  “He’s not a toad anymore. He’s everything you could wish for. Wink wink.”

  She didn’t care much for the emphasis Chelsea had made on the word wish. “Don’t go there, Chelsea. I am not about to make a wish list for a man. Gramm Parker is— “

  “Go where? I know you can’t be referring to my grandmother’s Husband List with that derisive tone. You were not about to call Gramm a rude name. Oh, look. There’s Trey and Tessa Curtis from Partners Group Home.” Chelsea waved from a distance. “And they’ve got the kids from the Home. Hey, y’all.” She stepped away from Freddie to greet them as they stood talking to Marc.

  Freddie eyed an overstuffed chair beside a magazine rack a few feet away. She could just wait here until...

  Chelsea grabbed Freddie’s arm. “Oh no, my friend. You are not hiding over here. You are going to talk to that man and make amends. And get his number.”

  Freddie allowed herself to be prodded along until she stood with Marc and Zeus and a cluster of Wake City friends.

  “Hey, everybody,” Chelsea sang out as she doled out hugs to the three group home kids before they went off to talk with some friends. Freddie remembered seeing the oldest girl before. Her name escaped her. Lydia, maybe.

  The teen wore cute lace-trimmed leggings and tan ankle boots. The lace was a nice contrast.

  Lacey! Her name is Lacey.

  Freddie caught her eye and smiled. “Nice boots, Lacey.”

  Lacey smiled back. “Thanks, Miss Freddie.”

  Aw, she remembered her. Why did kids make her palms sweat?

  Chelsea’s voice cut into her mind wanderings. “It’s nice to meet you, Zeus.” She spoke to Zeus, but her eyes rested on Freddie for a split second. “I’m Marc’s fiancé Chelsea Parker.”

  Zeus shook her hand. “Likewise. He’s mentioned you. A bunch. Leave my chosen one alone, dude. That’s what he told me.”

  Marc chuckled and pulled Chelsea into a side hug. “Yeah. She’s taken.”

  Smiling, Chelsea indicated Freddie with a nod of her head. “I believe you know my friend Freddie.”

  Zeus offered his hand to Freddie. “Yes, from a previous life, it would seem.”

  His hand was nothing like the limp fish experience she remembered him having before when he’d tried to hold her hand at STEM camp so many years before. The handshake exuded confidence now. As his fingers lingered around hers, she felt herself being drawn closer although she hadn’t physically moved at inch.

  Who are you now, Jesús de Sousa?

  Should she talk to him now? What would she say?

  Sorry for being a rude person to you 14 years ago.

  Chelsea was still talking, thankfully. “We’d love to have everyone join us,” she said, the sweep of her arm taking in Freddie and Zeus.

  “Thanks for the invitation to dinner, Chelsea,” Trey said. “But we better get back to the house. We’re expecting two new kids soon and need to make arrangements.”

  “Gotcha. No worries, man,” Marc said. “We’ll walk out with you.”

  “I wrote to you,” Zeus said, his deep voice barely above a whisper.

  Oh Lord.

  His emails and letter were still on his mind all this time. How was she ever going to make up for her misdeeds? Freddie glanced about. Had anyone else heard what Zeus said to her?

  No. They seemed engrossed in talk about refugee children from the border coming to stay in Wake City. Two kids. One a teenage girl. The other a boy of eight or nine. A sister and brother.

  Chelsea looked back at her with eyebrows raised. She had that ‘you okay?’ smile on her face. Freddie sent her a ‘rescue me’ look.

  “Freddie, did you hear what Tessa said?” Chelsea asked. “These kids might need a Spanish translator. Could you help?”

  “Umm...sure.”

  “I also speak Spanish,” Zeus said. “I can help.”

  “Are you sure?” Chelsea asked him.

  He met her questioning look with a confident nod. “No problem.”

  Tessa touched Zeus’ shoulder. “Thank you both so much. You’re an answer to prayer.”

  Help kids? Probably not.

  Now, she really had to apologize to this new and improved version of the guy she’d dumped. But how?

  While the others walked on ahead, engrossed in conversation, she hung back. As he slipped into his coat, she put hers on too. They stepped aside to let some bookstore patrons pass by.

  Through the large store windows, she could see Marc and Chelsea wave goodbye to a full group home van. Chelsea turned to Freddie and made a goofy face. Marc frowned down at his future wife and indicated with a jerk of his thumb that they were leaving.

  “Call me,” Chelsea mouthed before following Marc down the sidewalk.

  A family of four strolled by. “Bye, Elf Zeus,” they sang out.

  Zeus laughed and waved, adding a little jig for added measure.

  “Can me and my
family take a photo with you by the tree?” asked the older of the two kids.

  “Sure,” Zeus said as he positioned himself among the four strangers.

  “I’ll take the picture for you,” Freddie offered.

  Zeus flashed her a bright smile. “Do you mind being in it?”

  She shrugged and positioned herself next to Zeus for the group selfie. He put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. Being next to him felt nice but also increased her feelings of guilt.

  “Smile,” he said and tapped the phone’s screen.

  The kids’ father retrieved the phone, gratitude beaming from his wide smile. “Thank you, Mr. de Sousa.”

  Freddie frowned. Her curiosity piqued.

  Mister?

  “None of this mister stuff. I’m Zeus. Just Zeus.”

  Zeus waved to them as they left then he turned his attention back to her. He looked wonderful. He smelled wonderful. He was wonderful. And she was … she was losing her nerve.

  Here’s your chance.

  Freddie toyed with the needles of the Christmas tree next to them. “Listen, Jay...I mean Zeus.”

  She’d switched to Spanish. It only seemed natural. He responded, in kind, without skipping a beat.

  “It’s okay, you can call me Jay if you like. Changing my nickname to Zeus was my brother’s idea. You remember Ray? He said Jay was too close to Ray. Our followers might think we were twins, you know.”

  “Followers?”

  She remembered Raymond de Sousa alright. Ray was a bully and a pervert. He terrorized her the first two days of the camp. He never showed up after Day 3, thankfully.

  “Long story. Listen, if you don’t want to do the thing with these kids from the group home, I understand. I can do it alone. I saw how you reacted back there.”

  She tried to interrupt him.

  He waved her off. “No. It’s okay. I’m in town for a few weeks, setting up a new office here in Wake City.”

  “Office?”

  “Yeah. I kinda run a software app company.”

  “Kinda? Either you do or you don’t.”

  “Okay. I do run it. I’m part owner actually. Ray owns the other half. My sister wanted nothing to do with techie stuff. You remember Rosa? She used to ask about you all the time.”