“Kids, you better get downstairs, Jesse will be here any minute to pick us up.” I holler from the foyer.
As feet quickly pound the steps, Lilly proclaims, “We’re getting our tree today!”
“Yay, we’re getting our tree!” Ty says when I hear the crunching of tires coming up the driveway.
The grandparents went in town for brunch at the Twinkle Falls Inn before watching the kids this afternoon when me and Trace go downtown.
Before Jesse knocks on the door I pull it open to his amazing smile as he scans the kids saying, “There’s two of my favorite kids.” They smile while all sharing a hug.
“Who wants to get a Christmas tree?” He asks full of enthusiasm.
They both scream while jumping up and down. “We do, we do!”
“Okay then, let’s get going.” He says leading Ty out to the truck so he doesn’t slide on the patches of ice while I hold Lilly’s hand walking carefully.
While Jesse looks for a parking spot Ty asks, “Mommy, is Mr. Kris really Santa Claus?”
Cutting my eyes to Jesse, my mouth opens then closes when I shrug at him and say, “Well, I can’t say for sure, but there are a lot of people that have lived here for a long time who kind of think so. Then again, why would Santa be working at a tree lot?”
Lilly matter-of-factly states. “Because he gets to talk to the parents and see which kids are naughty and nice.”
Giving me a brief sideways glance, Jesse cackles. “I think you might be onto something Lilly.”
After parking, I grab Ty’s hand so Jesse can have some time with Lilly. “Come on little man, let’s find the perfect tree.”
“Not if we find one first.” Jesse states while holding Lilly’s hand as they go to the left while I lead Ty to the right.
A while later we show each other the trees we like the most when Jesse suggests, “How about we flip a coin to see which one to take home?”
The kids look at each other and Ty shrugs, “Alright, can I flip it?”
Peeking at Lilly, she nods at me so I answer, “That sounds good to us, but we get heads.”
Whispering in Ty’s ear, my son says, “Okay,” before Jesse gives him a quarter which he quickly flips.
The coin bounces on the ground and lands on tails. “We won Mr. Jesse, we won!” Ty jumps up and down giggling and getting someone’s attention.
“That was a wonderful coin flip Tyler.” Kris bends over sharing his usual jolly smile with my son.
Ty’s jaw sinks down while staring at him for a minute then turns to me. “Mom, it’s Santa—I mean Mr. Kris.”
“Can you say hello to Mr. Kris?” I coax him.
Beaming, he looks him in the eyes and says, “Hi Mr. Kris. Are you really Santa Claus?”
Looking at Jesse, my face feels like it’s on fire. Sighing, I say, “I’m sorry Kris.”
“Oh it’s alright. I get that all the time. We do rather resemble each other, don’t we?” He lets out a long belly laugh while holding his round belly.
“How are you young lady?” He asks turning to Lilly.
Smiling, she says, “I’m good Mr. Kris.”
“That’s great to hear Lilly.” Her brows raise when he says her name.
He looks at Ty. “Have you been a good boy this year young man?”
Nodding, my son says, “Uh-huh.”
“That’s wonderful to hear. It looks like you’ve found the perfect Christmas tree. Well, let me get someone to help you take it to your car.”
As he walks away, the kids yell, “Bye Mr. Kris.” He chuckles and waves his hand through the air.
On the drive to our house the kids talk mostly amongst themselves about Mr. Kris, debating whether he is really Santa Claus or not while me and Jesse muffle our laughs.
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