“What the . . .”
Mel trailed off as he opened his Secret Santa gift from Rose. He stared at the Chia visage of the President.
Rose looked on in horror as the only black staff member at the agency glared at the racially insensitive gift she’d brought. It wasn’t so much the use of the first African American President’s likeness on a planter that brought offense. It was the prospect of Mr. Obama’s burgeoning ChiAfro that gave the gift its thoughtless sting.
She hadn’t bought the gift for Mel. She brought it for effect. They had drawn numbers for the correspondingly labeled presents under the dusty plastic tree. Mel was at the very innermost in of the creative in-crowd at the ad agency and he had drawn her number. Rose’s cool-guest-hopes for her Christmas Party sank as she watched the horror unfold.
Oh cruel fate, Rose thought.
The room burst into gales of laughter.
“Oh, cruel fate,” Sami shrieked.
Sami was the coolest of the cool kids at the office. She was still so young she could actually wear the kinds of clothes pictured in fashion magazines without looking like a complete fool. Sami was rumored to have slept with the Creative Director – a man – and the head of Account Services – a woman. Her bisexual liaisons were proof, not of her openness or even her versatility but, of the fact that she didn’t particularly care about anyone. This of course made Sami the object of everyone’s desire.
When Sami laughed, everyone laughed.
Rose’s laughter was of the relieved variety and perhaps more sincere for it. She had spent the entire morning creating and addressing her party invitations amidst the interruptions of work and getting the office party together. The end of year accounts could get resolved on Christmas day when Rose had nothing else to do. The invitations had to be ready so she could hand them out at the end of the office party. She had a lot riding on the ironical appreciation of her tasteless gift.
Mel smiled and then laughed. Rose’s party was saved.
After the brief scare, Rose managed to fly under the radar for the rest of the festivities. She went out of her way to cater to everyone, topping off champagne flutes and making personalized hors d’oeuvre plates. As office manager, the Christmas party was her job anyway. That year she did a lot more than just drag the tree out of the supply closet, plug it in and pour red and green M&M’s into a bowl as she usually did.
Rose passed out the bonus checks, her final duty. Paul, the boss, made his annual toast to the staff for another great year. Everyone was glowing with holiday cheer.
As Rose presented each person with their bonus, she gave them their personalized invitations.
“I’m having a few people over on Christmas Eve,” Rose smiled demurely at Sami. “I hope you can drop by for a little Christmas Cheer.”
“What?” Sami asked. Her tone seemed shocked, as though Rose had somehow offended her or said something Sami couldn’t quite believe.
“I know it’s last minute,” Rose added hastily. She felt the eyes of everyone at the party on her. She struggled to beat a retreat from Sami’s rejection.
“What is?” Sami asked.
“The invitation to my Christmas Party,” Rose added, pointing to the envelope with Sami’s name on it, in Sami’s hand. “I just thought if you were in town and didn’t have plans.”
“No plans?” Sami said with a shocked laugh. “On Christmas Eve?”
“Well, no obligation,” Rose said, with a nervous, dismissive laugh. Her face was hot. “I just thought . . . I’m with you guys more than anyone else. It’s like family. It’s the holidays. Do the math.”
“Do the MATH!” Sami shrieked.
They were all laughing again.
Rose joined them, uncertain and unconcerned if the laugh was at her expense.
“How have I missed this dire sense of humor?” Sami said taking Rose’s face in her hands. “I wouldn’t miss your party. I can’t imagine what you’ll say next.”
After that the invites flew out of Rose’s hands. People who’d been avoiding her at the party — and the rest of the year — sought her out to wish her a Merry Christmas and get their invitation to her suddenly cool-endorsed party. The air was thick with the stale smell of cheap champagne and promised guest appearances at Rose’s Christmas Eve drop-in.
“Oh, we’d love to be there,” Mel explained. “We’ve got to hit Syd’s parents and make a couple of other stops, but you are definitely on our naughty list. Where did you find this divine present?”
Is he gay? Rose wondered.
“Or WHAT!?” Sami shrieked.
The party has been a triumph despite me, Rose thought, careful not to say so out loud. The staff was gone and Rose was putting things away. She beamed with satisfaction and even a little anticipation. With just a little effort, she’d actually enjoyed the Secret Santa party for the first time.
“Thanks for another good year,” Paul said leaning in at the door.
“Thanks, I just . . .”
“You’ll clean up before you go?”
“Of course,” Rose nodded. “I hope we’ll see you at the drop-in tomorrow.”
“Merry Christmas,” Paul called back to her. She heard the door slam. The silence of the empty office was a relief. She hurriedly raked the remains of the party into garbage bags and tied them up for the cleaning crew who appeared magically each night, no one knew when.
Rose was in a hurry. She had to completely decorate her house for Christmas and plan and set up a party by the following evening at 7ish. She shoved the tree back into the closet behind the copy-paper-pyramid and ran for the door.
To be continued…
So good, Eric. I fear this isn’t going to end well for poor Rose.
Will Sami do Rose? Or is there something else in store ???
Oh no, something else I’m hooked on X(
Just kidding! I really like the story so far. The people are so REAL. It’s a welcome change from some of the books I was reading!
And never fear, I’m not connecting or comparing in any way- but have you seen this movie called The Hours?