Tracy Tam: Santa Command
Page 13
Together, Jared and Tracy opened their hands and let the magic spill onto Chris' body. A thousand yellow stars dipped and swirled across his chest, around his head, and down to his toes. As the magic did its work, Chris' body transformed. His cheeks filled out and regained their rosy color, his beard disappeared and was replaced by a warm smile, and finally, his eyes opened.
He blinked a few times, then Mary helped him to his feet. A few seconds later, he was back in his navy blue suit and looked just like he had the day Jared met him.
Tracy and Jared hovered around him, unsure of what to do. A moment before, he had seemed so fragile.
“Come here, you two.” Chris opened his arms, and the two children ran into them. “Is there anything I can do for you to thank you for your help?”
Jared didn't know how he had helped, but there was only one thing he wanted anyway. “I'd like to go home.”
“Me too,” said Tracy.
***
Jared and Beth walked through the door of their apartment. Beth made it about two steps before she collapsed on the couch, but Jared wasn't ready for sleep yet.
He went to his bedroom closet and dug through the pile of dirty clothes. Beneath his favorite pair of jeans, he found the CD. He'd buried it at the bottom of his closet when Chris had given it to him. At the time, Jared thought Chris was just trying to remind him of his dad's favorite band, but after seeing Sophie unwrap the book, Jared knew the present wasn't from Chris. It was from his dad. Just as he suspected, on the inside was a note written on a yellow Post-It.
Jared, Every time I listen to this CD I think of you. I hope you'll listen to it and think of me. Love, Dad
Jared clutched the CD to his chest. Maybe it was time to think of his dad again. Of both of his parents.
He put the CD in his player, set it to repeat, and crawled into bed, listening as the music crept into his dreams.
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
Tracy
Sasha offered to take Tracy home. Their first stop was Pim's house. It was barely after 6 am, and no one was up yet. Tracy was glad for that, because she wasn't there to talk to anyone. Sasha popped the two of them into the living room, and Tracy pulled a plain white envelope out of her pocket. She placed it on one of the lower branches of the Christmas tree, making sure the words “For Pim” were facing out, and smiled.
Her next stop was home, more specifically, her bed. Her parents would expect her to wake up soon, and she was certain she'd hear her mother screaming happily when the call came from Pim's parents telling them about the envelope. But for now, Tracy wanted to lie in bed and remember the night.
It had been magical. Not just because of the actual magic, but because of everything she'd seen and done. She wanted to relive every detail before she forgot it. She even wondered if she could do it again next year, minus the breaking things.
“Here,” Sasha reached into one of her bags.
For a second, Tracy thought about ducking under her covers. Were they going to wipe her memory after all?
But Sasha didn't pull out a handful of dust. It was Tracy's phone. “Phil asked me to give this to you.”
It was in perfect shape, not a scratch on it, but Tracy had the feeling a few pictures had been deleted from it. She placed it on her night stand and snuggled under her comforter. “Thanks. It's been a crazy night, hasn't it?”
“What makes you say that?”
Tracy ticked a list off on her fingers. “Well, there was the computer, and Chris, and the million different Santas.”
Sasha laughed so loud that Tracy thought her parents might hear her and wake up. But they didn't. Sasha placed her hand on Tracy's arm. “Oh, honey. You think Santa Command is crazy? You should see Tooth Fairy Central. Now that place will blow your mind.”
Tracy smiled, but kept her mouth shut, because an idea was forming in her head. Maybe she wouldn't have to wait a year for another adventure. She stuck her tongue on one of her molars and wiggled it. In a few days, it would be loose enough to pull.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This book would not exist if it weren't for my critique partner, Dianne K. Salerni. She encouraged me to keep going when I thought it was pointless. I also need to thank her for saying, “I'd really like to meet Beth's son.” Confession time—Jared wasn't even a spark of an idea until she asked to meet him. Thank you, also, to Amy Christine Parker and Jennifer Baker for your invaluable insight.
I am, of course, very grateful to my husband who understands that I must escape to the bookstore on Saturday mornings. My productivity increases ten-fold when I have my quiet table and my chocolate caramel mocha.
I'd also like to thank everyone at Month9Books for believing in my story and for loving Tracy, Jared, and Phil as much as I do. You are all rock stars and helped me to bring out the best parts of this book.
And thank you to everyone who believes in the magic of Santa Claus.
KRYSTALYN DROWN
Krystalyn spent thirteen years working at Walt Disney World in a variety of roles: entertainer, talent coordinator, and character captain. Her degree in theatre as well as many, many hours spent in a dance studio, helped with her job there. Her various other day jobs have included working in zoology at Sea World, as an elementary teacher, and currently as a support technician for a website. In the evenings, she does mad writing challenges with her sister, who is also an author. Krystalyn lives near Orlando, Florida with her husband, son, a were cat, and a Yorkie with a Napoleon complex.
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Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter Forty-Six
Chapter Forty-Seven
Acknowledgements
About the Author
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