As the moon was rising carrying the dark in its pocket, the streets were still busy during
this time of the year. People were dressed up in multiple layers, thick hats, long scarves
and boots with fur on the inside. Their bodies were very well covered, but their faces
couldn’t afford a warm lie. The pink noses and the rose cheeks with lips tighten up
bespoke the sharp weather. Behind their glassy eyes though, there was a sparkling fire,
reflecting the sweet anticipation of Christmas. David was standing outside of the
church, in the middle of the stairs with his hands crossed on the back breathing the frost,
enjoying the festive mood around him. He was wearing a round, brown, woollen
checked flat cap on his little head that perfectly suited the rest of his outfit, but not
winter. His chest was swollen with pride for his pinstriped velvet costume and his neck
was adorned by a black bow tie. That was an important day to him, and he added those
special details to brighten it up. David smirked to himself, then paced back and forth, a
little more on the forth and back again. An imperceptible sole dance started by forcing
the marble steps, and as unexpectedly as it started it came to an end.
The clock on the top of the church’s tower rang six times, and David moved his
head up and down like he wanted to confirm to himself that it was about time for him
to take the next step. He put his hands in his pockets to keep them warm as he was
walking, although he knew that was inappropriate for a young man like him. That would
only be for chill’s sake. A big carriage passed by him and then his paradise seemed to
be closer than ever. The Smithetons. The windows’ golden-brown frames were
decorated with little yellow lights all along and the door, -having the same framing-,
was standing out with an extra green garland and a red bow in the middle. Now, David
was at the doorstep with his heart beating so fast that he thought it would fly out of him
like a migrant bird. So many evenings had been spent there, contemplating his reflection
as much as the toys and decorations on the back. He took a step forward and he was
ready to push the door in when he saw a human shadow moving towards him. Ms
Ermelinda, the shopping assistant, wearing her celebratory outfit too. A dark emerald,
green skirt suit made of felt, matched with maroon high heels. She wore her brown hair
in a bun and two little diamond drops were hanging from her ears. Her mouth shone
brightly in crimson lipstick, and she was always kind enough to reveal her white teeth
behind it with a great smile.
“Come in little Sir!” she said, and she bent her knees as if she wanted to reach
David’s high. “Would you like to take a look at your favorite sight?”
The one hand still in David’s pocket was clinging to his precious pounds. He
stood quiet for a moment, but in reality, he was just counting his money flipping them
through his fingers. A vintage casket under his bed kept his savings a secret for a few
months now. He never felt more guilty and revived before. The household’s demands
were always a priority; undoubtedly. But that was a special gift, his parents should
understand.
“Actually, Ms. today I won’t just look…”
Ermelinda tilted her head to the right and her eyes were smiling as she opened
the door wider for David to come in. His shoulders were so up that almost covered his
neck, and his eyes were staring at the polished wooden floor. As he was walking by, he
was mesmerized once again by that miracle. The huge selves were full of books all in
a perfect row, but this time around, they had all lights on and the special collections
were starring on the front. People were walking around taking a look, asking questions,
smiling, frowning. In the middle of Smithetons there was a white marble circle with a
blackthorn pattern and a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. There on the left,
it was the cashier standing behind a manual machine, printing receipts, folding presents
and pinning them up with bows of all types. Ten steps away, it was his sacred section.
There in the middle of the shop, of the Earth, of everything, was his holy grail. A
carrousel of twenty centimetres height and twenty-two centimetres width in pastel
colours of pink, gold and turquoise, with little horses all around. He held it in between
his two little hands, and he reached for the price tag. Quelle surprise! The excitement
was tremendous as there was a great discount and David could save some money. As
he turned, he saw a basket full of Christmas candy bars. He picked up two of them and
headed to the cashier.
“Could I have the one candy bar in the box with the carrousel please?”
The cashier smiled widely and put them both first in a wooden casket and then
folded them up in faded pink shiny paper with snowflakes on the top. Then she hit the
prices on her machine and announced the total.
“Oh, MsI am bad at counting. Can I leave the other candy bar for another time?”
The cashier smiled again and waved her head as if to say yes. She printed the
receipt and passed it to David. He placed the piece of paper in his pocket and got out of
the shop almost drunk in happiness. The carousel will be placed under the tree for his
new sister that will come around Christmas as his mum said. Probably, Santa Claus will
deliver her, so maybe he has to put a pillow in the fireplace to be soft when she’ll fall.
And maybe if she’s nice, they could share the candy bar.
