The meeting was coming to an end and before anyone could stand up, Tanisha Moore raised her hand for a final comment. She looked like she had been up sick all night. Mr. Walker motioned to her to speak.
"I'm really sorry Mr. Walker, but I'm too sick to do the Christmas Banquet Series this year. I really...can't," she finished sneezing.
"Okay. That's--," he sighed and looked at his watch, "fine. I'll find a replacement. Have a good day everyone."
He walked quickly out of the meeting and down the hall toward his office. Peri, his secretary was on the phone taking a message.
"Two o'clock on the 29th? No, Mr. Walker will be on vacation from the 26th until the 5th of the New Year...Yes...January 8th at...? 10am. Great. Oh, thank you. You have a good day too Mr. Taylor. Goodbye."
Peri hung up the phone smiled at Mr. Walker.
"Hello, Mr. Walker. How did the meeting go?"
"It went," he grunted, "and apparently so did Tanisha."
Peri looked confused.
"She quit?"
"She should. That damn girl is always sick. Coughing and sneezing and whatnot. Good worker but gives me the willies."
Peri laughed.
"I need a favor of you Peri," he said sitting on the edge of her desk and crossing his arms.
"Yes, what is it?"
"The Christmas Banquet Series," he said pausing. She looked at him waiting for him to continue.
"What about it?" she asked.
"Tanisha's sick."
He paused again.
"Right..."
"Well, she was supposed to do that thing...you know. With the kids?" Realizing what was coming, Peri sighed and leaned back in her chair, looking away from him.
"Yes, Mr. Walker, I know."
"Well, I'm going to need a replacement and--"
"And you want me to do it," she finished for him.
"Could you? I'll pay you double time."
She sighed and began to protest.
"Mr. Walker, I would but--"
"Triple time?" he asked. "Peri, I need two helpers and I'm not going to be able to find anyone else to cover on such a short notice. The kiddie thing is tomorrow. You know I wouldn't ask you if I didn't really need the favor."
She sighed again and shook her head.
"Mr. Walker, I'm sorry but I really can't tomorrow. I mean, of course I'll be at the banquet on Saturday but I--"
"Peri," he said giving her puppy dog eyes, "Please? For me?"
She laughed.
"Mr. Walker--,"she stopped. "Fine. I'll do it," she said standing up and walking towards the hallway. "And it's not because you're paying me triple overtime. I mean, triple overtime and a half is a lot to pay for a few hours of extra work. So, since you're paying me four times as much as I usually make an hour and giving me a raise, I'll be there."
She smiled and started to walk away but stopped as he called her.
"Yes?" she asked smiling.
"Get the costume from Tanisha. And thank you very much," he smiled and walked into his office and closed the door.
* ***** *
"I can
NOT
believe I agreed to this," Peri sighed as she pulled on her green pantyhose.
"Oh Peri stop! It's for a good cause," her friend Alina laughed. "How bad can it be? Really."
"It's too short and Tanisha's boobs are like, half the size of mine."
"Damn, what is she, flat-chested?" Alina joked. "Let me see it. Come out."
Peri peeked from around the Japanese folding screen in her bedroom.
"Don't you dare laugh at me," she threatened.
"Oh come on."
Peri stepped from behind the screen so Alina could see her entire outfit and her face lit up when she saw the costume.
"Oh Peri, that is too cute! Turn around!"
Peri stood in front of the mirror and turned around looking at herself. She had on a dress that was half red and half green with a collar and bells that resembled that of a jester's. She also had on a green hat with furry red trim, green pantyhose and red booties.
"Just please do my ears so I can go and get this over with," Peri huffed sitting down in a chair.
"What's wrong?" Alina asked.
"I feel ridiculous. I can't believe I'm going to leave my house like this."
"You look fine Peri, really. You are the sexiest elf I've ever seen," she laughed.
"This is not exactly what I want to do on a Friday night; I have to go romp around with kids all night and help them take pictures with Mr. Walker, aka Santa Claus," she said rolling her eyes.
"You'll have fun," Alina smiled as she began to apply Peri's pointed ears, "you know you will."
Peri crossed her arms.
"Hey you never know," Alina said suddenly, "maybe Jacob will be there."
Peri looked over to her dresser where the silver shark necklace lay and smiled.
* ***** *
"My feet are killing me,"
Peri thought to herself after an hour of greeting children and helping them sit on "Santa's" lap.
"It feels like I'm standing on the bare floor. Why do I always give in so easily? This is ridiculous! Next time he asks for a favor, I'll just have to --"
Her thoughts were cut off by a poke in the ribs. Annoyed, she turned to see who it was and was surprised to see that it was--
"Jacob!" she said grinning from ear-to-ear. "Hey."
"Hey, sorry I'm late," he said looking at the line of children. He was wearing a male version of the elf costume that she wore.
"It's okay, Santa didn't even tell me you were coming," she said rolling her eyes.