Chapter 5

“I bet he’d notice you anyway,” Kerry ventures, garnering an appreciative grin from Samir. “Whoever ‘he’ is.”

“Santa Claus,” Lisa explains, herself opting for a stubby Michigan’s pencil.

Samir shoots her a sideways clam up! look, but Kerry gets right in the spirit. “Ooh, a letter to Santa?” He slides a piece of paper off the top of the stack and folds it into his apron pocket, then reaches for another of the green crayons. “Maybe I’ll write one, too. It’s been a while. What are you gonna ask for?” he asks Samir.

“A lifetime supply of chicken tenders,” Lisa cracks.

“No.” Kerry’s eyes go wide. “Then you’d quit comin’ in here. Don’t ask for that. I’ll bring you all the tenders you want.” He winks, emboldening Samir.

“I’m asking for you,” he says.