Dear Santa(35)

    “At lunch, I sat at a table by myself. Then you slid your tray down next to me and asked if I had a pair of Rollerblades. When I said I did, you invited me to come to your house. You were my very first real friend here.”

“I did?” Lindy didn’t remember that, but then it’d been years ago. Lindy had loved hearing Peggy’s southern accent, which over the years had completely disappeared. “All I remember is what fun we had and how quickly you became my best friend.”

“And mine,” Peggy echoed. “Now it’s time for me to repay the favor.”

Lindy wasn’t sure she understood. The question must have shown on her expression, because Peggy went on to explain.

“It’s my turn to be your friend when you need one. I see how much you’ve opened up and become freer since you’ve been here. I hate to see you go back and get sucked into the machine that stole your joy.”

Lindy knew that was true. She’d asked Santa for a best friend, and then right after she’d written it down, she’d run into Peggy. Immediately it was like old times. It felt as if they’d never been apart. The evenings she’d spent with Peggy’s other friends, Chloe and Jayne, had been just the tonic she’d needed. Chloe and Jayne had welcomed her as if Lindy had always been a part of their small group.

    “Even if I did move back to town…” Lindy said, thinking out loud. While it was understood she could live with her parents for as long as needed, doing that didn’t feel right. It would be a giant step backward, living in her childhood home.

“Even if what?” Peggy pried, unwilling to allow Lindy to drop the thought.

“Where would I live? Yes, I could move back in with my parents, but that’s the last thing I want. Don’t get me wrong, I love my family. They’re great, but I’m closer to thirty than twenty-five. The last thing I expected when I graduated from college was needing to move home.”

“That’s the best part of my plan.”

“Oh, how’s that?”

“I was saving this until last,” Peggy announced. “I need a roommate.”

Lindy had been to Peggy’s spacious apartment, which was nearly double the size of hers in Seattle. Additionally, it had two bedrooms and was in an excellent neighborhood, above a retail section in the renovated part of town. The restaurant, grocery, and shopping center below made it possible to collect essentials without having to drive. An ideal location and situation. Because the complex was new, Lindy wasn’t sure she could even afford half the rent.

    “What’s your rent?” she asked.

Peggy told her, and it was half of what Lindy paid in Seattle. If she were to share it, that meant it would be half again as much. A quarter of what she paid for housing in the Seattle area.

“That’s reasonable,” she was forced to admit. “But there’s no guarantee I’d get enough work to support myself for a few months. I have savings but—”

Peggy stopped her. “Trust me, between Greg and me, we can get you enough work for the next six months, and that’s without trying. This area is clamoring for someone to help with social media and website management. You’d be filling a real need.”

Peggy appeared to have it all figured out. Lindy appreciated that Peggy was giving her the space and time to consider this idea.

“You notice I didn’t mention the real kicker. The one point I think will probably be the strongest incentive for you leaving Seattle.” Peggy gave her a knowing look.

“And exactly what would that be?”

Peggy’s smile took up her entire face. “Billy Kincade. He’s crazy about you, and if I can read the signs, which I have been known to do on occasion, you feel the same about him.”

Lindy was admitting nothing. “We’ve had a few good times,” she said, with some reluctance. Peggy had read her like a cartoon caption. Billy asking her to stay was definitely on the table, although Lindy didn’t want to admit it out loud.

    “Then I say let the good times roll with Billy and with me…I’ll wait until you make your decision before I look for a roommate.”

That was fair. Lindy agreed with a quick nod. “You’ve certainly given me something to think about.”

“Good. Now go have a wonderful Christmas with your family and we’ll connect in a couple days.”

Lindy nodded. “And, Peggy, thank you for your friendship and support—you don’t know how much it means to me.”

By then their pizza was cold and Lindy gave the packaged leftovers to Peggy. They left the pizza parlor together. Peggy headed out to her parents’ house. Lindy started toward where she’d parked her car.

As she crossed the street, her gaze fell upon Santa. He had parked next to her. She’d seen him enter the pizza parlor. It was the same Santa she’d met while in Leavenworth. She’d recognized him right away.

“Merry Christmas, Santa,” she said, coming to stand alongside him.

Turning to look her way, he smiled and gave a cheery “Ho, ho, ho.” Santa retrieved a large bag from the truck bed and swung it over his shoulder and waited for her.

    “Oh yes, I remember you,” he said, smiling at her.

“I saw you on Wednesday in Leavenworth.”