Here’s a little teaser excerpt:
“Patrick doesn't have a present," said Leslie, insulted on his behalf.
"No, I'm good," Patrick said. "I don't need one."
"Wait!" Dolores felt around conspicuously in the bag. "What's this?" She pulled out a red-wrapped gift. "Why it's for Patrick." She tossed it to him.
Patrick caught the present. It was light. There was a huge white tag on it, which he read out loud. "Close your eyes and silently speak the wish that lies at the very bottom of your heart." He laughed. "Okay, who's writing game dialog?"
Everyone looked around, but no one raised a hand.
Traya shrugged. "Do it. Do what it says."
"Yeah, make a wish," said Sam.
"Couldn't hurt," agreed Dolores.
Patrick rolled his eyes, but it suddenly didn't seem like the worst idea in the world. He squeeze his eyes closed and thought, "My Christmas wish is to meet someone. Someone who sees me--and loves me for who I really am."
Wow, that was pathetic. He'd have to try harder in the new year.
"Well, open it!" said Dolores.
He did and with just an eensy bit more excitement than was warranted. Inside the red wrapping was a box. He pulled the tape off, opened the flaps, and saw something wooden. He lifted it out. It was a carved figure of Krampus, about ten-inches tall, and elaborately painted with a dark red Santa coat, pale yellow face, and curving black horns and hooves. Patrick immediately recoiled but then felt bad about it. He turned it around. On the flat wooden bottom was a phrase in another language.
"Something's written on it. Anyone speak.... What? Norwegian?"
"I speak Google translate," said Lloyd, chuckling at his own joke.
"Wait. There's a card at the bottom of the box." Patrick fished out another plain white card. In neat print it copied the foreign phrase on the bottom of the statue and gave the English words underneath, "Make a wish for your heart's desire. Krampus will bring it through flood and fire."
"Thanks... Sam!" Patrick guessed, looking at his cubicle neighbor.
Sam blinked? "Huh? It wasn't me. It's awesome, though. Can I see it?"
Patrick handed it over.
"Wow. This looks old. And it's real."
"Of course it's real," Traya said. "Lemme see."
Sam handed her the figure. She looked at it with an appreciative pout. "This does look antique. No way this fits the twenty-five dollar limit."
"'Course not. It's for the Princess," Raphael muttered. Referring, of course, to Patrick. Anger sparked in Patrick's chest.
"What's your problem?" he demanded, completely forgetting his vow a moment ago that he'd try harder.
"Now, kids," Dolores warned. "It's a lovely gift. And no one said you had to spend money. Maybe someone had it lying around. Like a family heirloom. Anyone care to claim it?" She looked around. "No?"
No one raised a hand.
"Well! Looks like your secret Santa remains secret, Patrick. Traya, give it back."
Traya clutched it to her chest. "But it's so fire. Wanna trade, Patrick?"
"No!" The word came fast and sharper than he intended. Something about the carved figure -- grotesque and ancient -- called to a part of him he didn't even like to admit existed. Patrick suddenly very much wanted the hideous thing.
Reluctantly, Traya handed it over.
"Good! Well, thanks everyone for the thought and care you put into Secret Santa. You're free to go. Have the best Christmas ever, and a Happy New Year!"
Watch this space for more teasers for Kiss Me, Krampus.
Eli
