Done Adulting Vol. 1 Ch. 114

“This is silly,” Jamie said as they waited in line.

“Mom will like it.”

“And I want a picture, too,” Mel said.

“And it’s your holiday,” Amanda reminded him.

“And your deity,” Mel added.

“Santa is not … After this I’m going to explain Christmas to you guys.”

“Next,” said the elf. Amanda carried Jamie up to Giant Santa Claus, who held out his giant, white-gloved hands for him.

“Well, hello there,” he boomed like The Ghost of Christmas Present. “And what’s your name?”

“Jamie.” It was still silly, but it was fun too. Just the ridiculousness of sitting on a giant Santa’s lap. He wasn’t sure he’d ever gotten to sit on Santa’s lap as a kid.

“Have you been a good little boy this year?”

“I think so,” he giggled when Santa poked his belly.

“Well, I’ll check my list just in case, but I’m sure you have been, so what can I bring you for Christmas?”

Jamie shrugged. “I don’t want anything.”

“You must want something.”

“Give my toys to someone who doesn’t have any.”

“Well,” Santa said, a little less jolly but much more happy, “I think I can do that. Now, can you make a big smile at the camera?” Jamie did, and the elf took the picture.

“And one more with all three of us,” Amanda asked.

“I’d never say no to kids at Christmas time!” Amanda and Mel knelt on either side of Santa, and the three of them got their picture taken with him.

“What do you say to Santa, Jamie,” Amanda asked as she picked him back up.

“Thank you, Santa. Fly safe.”

“You’re welcome,” Santa boomed, “and thank you, too!”

Once Amanda had paid for their photos, which were just as overpriced in Itali as back home, they headed toward lunch, where Jamie was going to set them straight about Santa. Not that he didn’t see how the misunderstanding could have happened.

“Did you pee while you were on Santa’s lap,” Amanda asked as she patted Jamie’s soggy butt.

“It’s tradition,” Jamie replied with a straight face.