Chapter 4

4

Millie

“ P lease, Mill. All you have to do is close your eyes and make a wish for something you want, and it will be here by morning. He told me it would. And I believe him. It’s not that hard. Please? For me?”

Oh my God. All evening she hasn’t let up. The creeper Santa put some crazy idea in her head, and now she actually believes his bullshit. Honestly, the guy should be fired from his job. He shouldn’t be going around making crazy promises to little kids because when they don’t come true, the truth will be revealed. When my gift isn’t here in the morning, Laney is going to know Santa is one big fat lying old guy dressed in a costume. She’s going to be disappointed, and then my dad is going to blame me for ruining Christmas.

“Laney, it’s time for bed.”

“No.” She sits up on her knees. “I’m not going to sleep until you look at the brightest star in the sky and make a wish.” Ugh…she’s just not going to let up.

“Fine.” I close my eyes.

“No,” she protests. “You need to look out the window. At that star.” She points to the brightest one. “And then make your silent wish to him.”

I swear, if I didn’t love this little girl so much, I’d be putting an end to all of this nonsense once and for all. Show her all the gifts in her mom’s closet that say To: Laney From: Santa . But I’m not that cruel, and the last thing I want is for her to be curled up in bed crying on Christmas day. I’m just not sure how to get around this bogus wish stuff.

Although maybe… Maybe I can make some stupid little wish and then in the morning, I’ll pretend like I got what I asked for. Although, she’s going to want to see it. Unless…I tell her it’s something for adults only. Haha. I wish upon the brightest star for the creepy Santa to bring me a vibrator. Preferably one that’s big, purple, and has two little ears that make it look like a bunny rabbit.

“What’s so funny?” she asks as I giggle away at the thought. She’s cocking her chin, giving me her cute little stare down.

“Nothing.” I shake my head. “Okay, I wish for Santa to put a chocolate peanut butter cup under my pillow.” That’s something I can definitely pull off without a hitch. I keep them stashed away in my closet, where my little chocolate addict of a sister can’t eat all my goods.

“Okay.” She smiles. “I’m going to check under your pillow in the morning, and we’ll see if it’s there.”

“Okay.” I nod. “Now, get under those covers and go to sleep. Otherwise, Santa won’t come.”

Finally, she lies back, sliding under her comforter. I lean forward, giving her a kiss and then rise from the bed. “Good night, Laney Bobaney. Sleep tight, and don’t let Santa’s reindeer bite.”

She giggles and a lightness fills my chest. I may be the scroogiest person on the planet, but I’m never going to do anything to put a frown on that little girl’s face. She’s the only bright thing that came from my dad’s destruction. She’s the only one I’m truly thankful for this Christmas.