The Santa Society Read Online Free PDF

He smiles and his eyes crinkle.
    “You forgot it?” I’m disappointed.
    “Yes, but I’ll get you—I mean—your house listed this afternoon.” He clears his throat. “I’ll list your house this afternoon. Hopefully, we’ll have some showings this coming week.”
    “What about the paperwork?”
    “I’ll bring it by tomorrow. Scouts honor.” He holds up two fingers and gives me a trustworthy face.
    “Okay. What about pictures?”
    “Yes. I took one from outside, right after I sunk the sign.”
    “That’s all I get?”
    “Well, I find that not giving away too much helps build mystery. We want showings and a quick sale. But if you’d like, I’ll take one of the kitchen. Deal?”
    I’m not convinced. I don’t know anything about selling houses, but it sounds like a bad idea not to have pictures. Still, I give in to his logic.
    I show him the kitchen and he snaps a quick photo. He chitchats about holiday festivities and the extra cold winter he expects we’ll have. But I can’t find anything to say because I suddenly feel like I could fall asleep. The feeling is so strong, I forget my manners again. I interrupt him in the middle of a sentence about the upcoming parade.
    “I’m sorry. I know this is rude, but I need a nap.”
    “Okay.” He doesn’t seem offended, but I think his cheeks have reddened just a little. “I have that effect sometimes. I’ll bring the paperwork tomorrow afternoon?”
    “Tomorrow is fine. And it’s not you. I’m just so sleepy...and hungry too.”
    “I understand. I need to be going, anyway.” He turns and makes his way out.
    I follow along, feeling like I walk two steps for each one he takes. When we reach the door, he opens it and turns back. “See you tomorrow.”
     “Yes, tomorrow.” I nod.
     He turns away and heads down the steps. I watch him walk down the pathway to the street. I wait until I can no longer see him before I close the door and return to my chair. I’ll eat later. Right now, I have a year of sleep to catch up on.
     

Chapter 5
     
    “COME ON,” I plead. It’s Monday afternoon and I’m feeling better.
    But Klaus doesn’t. He sits in the center of the bathroom with his back to the tub. His half drenched body drips water all over the pink bath rug. My sleeves cling to my arms and my jeans drag against my skin as I squat next to him. I never imagined a big dog and one bath would be such a bad mix.
    He wears a determined look on his face. He keeps his ears low and his eyes glued to the doorway. I’m pretty sure he’s making an escape plan.
    I glance at the mirror. His profile blocks most of my reflection. A spray of water trails down over it, dripping through our faces.
    “You stink, Klaus. I hate to say it, but it’s true.” His expression does not change. In the mirror, I see the other side of him is just as determined as this one.
     “Look, I’m just being a friend here, ’k? You’ll feel a whole lot better after a bath. And I promise I’ll let you lay on the sofa again...maybe even the bed. How’s that sound?”
    Klaus doesn’t flinch.
    “Okay, truth is, my mom would be very upset right now if she were here. She didn’t like stinky dogs. And right now, the whole house smells like one big stinky dog.”
    He grunts. I must’ve hit a nerve.
    “If you get in the bath, we’ll make cookies. Doggie cookies.” I stress the last two words, but I’m not sure I know how to since I never watched my mother do it. But I’m desperate. “Come on, I even have dog bone cookie cutters. Or candy canes, if you’re feeling festive.”
    He tosses his head in my direction and casts his eyes at me long-ways. He must like where I’m going with this.
    “Do you like clothes? I have fabric. I’ll make you a bandana.” I feel ridiculous.
    Klaus shifts and glances at me again.
    “Please?”
    He stands and maneuvers himself in an exaggerated, tight turn. Now, he faces the bathtub.
    “Just think about cookies. And bandanas.”
    He clambers over