A Damsel for Santa

by Terry Ambrose

  20

  ANGEL

  Despite the storm and the calamities in other parts of Honolulu, we soon had a full complement of HPD personnel. We had detectives, technicians, EMTs, and even the Medical Examiner. Then came the press. In short order, the theater was crawling with journalists and local TV crews. The place was a circus.

  The longer I had to sit in the Santa suit, the closer I came to screaming, "fire-in-the-suit!" My entire body felt like it would burst into flames by the time the cops released me to change clothes. Chance stopped me on my way to the dressing room.

  "McKenna, I know this hasn't been a great night, and I know you're having a lot of trouble with the Santa suit, but I really need your help one last time."

  "As soon as I get out of this thing. I never realized I was allergic to red."

  "Nicky confessed," he said. "It's nothing serious, just contact dermatitis. He pepper sprayed the inside of the suit to get rid of the previous Santa. Kass didn't know, so she didn't have it cleaned. I'm sorry you were caught in the middle of Nicky's little tantrum."

  I wanted to be angry with Nicky, Kass, the previous Santa, and even Chance, but I couldn't. I was exhausted, and anger took way too much energy. "I need to get some rest. I suppose things will get better in a few days. Unfortunately, that won't be until after Benni's gone home. It will be a lost weekend, but maybe I can play the sympathy card. Thanks for letting me know about the pepper spray."

  "I still need your help. We have a way to get free publicity." He jerked his head in the direction of the cameramen and the on-air reporter. "You need to plug the play."

  "Are you serious? No way. Not in this getup. I'm a mobile hazmat site."

  Chance held my gaze. "Push past the pain, McKenna. You can do it. You're Santa."

  "I'm not Santa."

  "Sure you are," Holly said. She took hold of my arm and held it. "Please? Would you do it for me?"

  I huffed. I was already going to be soaking in a tub filled with whole milk to get rid of the itch. I looked down at her pleading eyes. How could I disappoint her? She was so young and hopeful. "You drive a hard bargain, kid."

  "Ticket sales are low," Chance said. "We can raise more money if we get the word out about the play. You're the perfect representative."

  "How can I be a representative for Christmas? Why can't someone else do it?"

  "The suit makes the man." Chance winked at me.

  "Good, then give it to someone else. Maybe Miller. Better yet, Nicky. Let him ho, ho, ho his way to stardom while his skin gets all prickly."

  Chance shook his head. "They won't wear it. And Nicky's gone."

  "Gone? As in…"

  "Fired."

  "Fine, let Jack Frost do it. His last name's Helper, he can do something productive for a change."

  "Declined."

  "What about Scrooge?" I was wheedling now and hated myself for it.

  "Not only no, but…you get the idea." Chance raised an eyebrow at me and nudged Holly.

  "You've got the Christmas magic," she said. "You're Santa!"

  I took a deep breath and grumbled, "What do you want me to say?"

  "Speak from here." Holly said as she placed her hand over her heart.

  "She's right." Chance patted the left side of his chest. "Be honest. Believe in the cause, McKenna. Invite people to the play and tell them they'll be helping the homeless if they buy a ticket."

  For a moment, I forgot my skin itched. For a moment, it didn't matter if I felt like I was trying to breathe underwater. Yes, in this moment, I was Santa. I puffed up my chest and strode across the stage to the KHON news crew.

  The on-scene reporter was Angel Kent, a young, amber-eyed beauty who had grown up in Honolulu and was determined to make her mark on TV news. I'd heard rumors she had her sights set on an anchor position by the time she was thirty. Who knows, maybe an interview with Santa would help her along.

  "Angel, can I talk to you?"

  Her eyes sparkled as she swept a wave of dark hair to one side. "I'm always willing to talk to Santa. Have you got a great Christmas story? Something to top what's already happened here? This murder is going to be big news."

  "What about the play? A Damsel for Santa needs to raise money to help homeless kids and battered women. I think you'd be the perfect person to help us."

  Chance approached from behind me and extended his hand. "Hi Angel, Chance Logan. I'm a big fan of yours, and McKenna—I mean, Santa—is right. We could use—no, we're desperate—for your help."

  Angel eyed me for a moment, then cocked her head to one side. "What's going on with your neck…Santa?"

  "He's got a rash from the suit," Holly said. "I want to be a reporter just like you when I grow up." She beamed at Angel.

  What was this kid, a professional con artist? She was almost as good as the best I'd ever seen.

  The cameraman shrugged when Angel glanced at him. "We've still got time. I'm game."

  Angel craned her neck so she could see past me to the stage. "Is that your throne up there, Santa? Looks like the police have cleared it."

  "It is," I said. Uh-oh. What did she have in mind?

  She winked at Holly. "What's your name, sweetheart?"

  "Keisha Weil. I'm Holly Childers in the play. I sit on Santa's lap and ask him to help me save Christmas. I'm the damsel." She beamed at the reporter.

  "Perfect. Eddie, set up over there." She pointed at the makeshift seat of power. "Come on, Santa, let's plead your case to Honolulu."

  "You want me to sit? I don't know if that's a good idea or not. The rash is…I don't think I can…sit, that is."

  Angel grabbed my arm and gave it a gentle shake. "You'll be fine. This will be quick and painless." She whispered something in Holly's ear and received an enthusiastic nod and a smile in return. "I've always wanted to do this."

  The next thing I knew, Angel had me in the chair with Holly on my lap. The reporter stood to one side resting her hand lightly on my shoulder. When Eddie gave her a thumbs up and the camera's red light glowed, Angel launched right into her introduction.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, I want you to know about a Christmas benefit being put on here in Honolulu called A Damsel for Santa. I'm here with two of the stars of the show, Keisha Weil and Santa himself. I don't want to give anything away, but rumor has it this little girl—who plays Holly Childers—needs Santa's help to save Christmas."

  Holly's face lit up. "I'm nine and I've never been homeless, but I know the money this play raises is going to help a lot of kids and their moms have a better holiday. Please, please, please, buy a ticket!"

  Angel still hadn't asked me a question. I'd expected to make the pitch, but I supposed having Holly do it was a good alternative. She did seem to have a way with people. Like I said, maybe the best con artist I'd ever seen. Angel stepped in front of me, and I leaned toward Holly to peer around the reporter. After all, I was Santa and this plea was all about Christmas. The viewers should know Santa was on the job.

  Holly shifted to the other side of my knee. It hurt, but I could take it. I was Santa. I couldn't let all those little Honolulu kids think Santa was in pain, so I smiled even when Angel put her full weight on my other knee. I nearly went through the roof. Between the rash…the weight…I summoned my Christmas magic and pushed through the tears.

  "Smile, Santa, it's for a good cause."

  All around us, people watched—the remaining cast members, the news crew, Chance—even the cops. I smiled through it all. My knees, thighs, and hips felt like they might explode, but I would not show weakness. No. Matter. What. I had the Christmas magic. This was my holiday. And, yes, I was the Man in Red.

  "Merry Christmas, Santa!" Angel nodded at Holly and they leaned in together and kissed both of my cheeks.

  I squeaked, "Merry Christmas, everyone. Ho, ho, ohhh!"

  My back spasmed. White-hot pain surrounded me.

  The girls bolted upright and grabbed my arms as I crumpled toward the floor.

  "I…I think I broke
something," I whimpered.

  Angel gave my shoulder a hearty shake and smiled for the camera. Her voice was as bright as I'd ever heard in all her news reports. "Boys and girls, you heard it here first on KHON news with Angel Kent. Santa wants you to bring your parents to see A Damsel for Santa. He also wants you to know he'll still deliver all your presents, but don't be surprised if he's moving just a little slow on Christmas night."