The Greatest Gift - Chapter II

The Greatest Gift

Chapter II

Always punctual when it counted, Justin was waiting in the residence lobby by nine the next morning. Moses, on the other hand, was not. Not until five minutes later when he came sprinting out of the elevator. Justin was far from irritated, however, since he knew this time was pretty early for students to emerge from their dorms, especially in the winter, even if it was so close to the big day.

“Steady on, my friend. You’re all good!”

“Oh! I am so sorry! I was leaving my room before nine and Abigail was right there at the same time! We started talking and I almost completely forgot about you!”

“Not uncommon. I’m looking to hearing about it! Ready to go?”

“Oh yes! Do you know that I haven’t even had time to really enjoy the snow yet? Of course I have seen plenty of it now and I almost fell over one time but-"

“Enjoy that excitement while it lasts. You’ll probably hate it next month.”

“Why?”

“After Christmas, Santa will have departed and just about every Noel necessity will be packed away, even if only wrapped up in a memory. Snow, on the other hand, in this part of Canada, is not going anywhere.”

“Oh my goodness!”

“It is nonetheless appreciated now though. Let’s be off!”

It turned out that Moses might have been holding something back when he first met Justin. For if one had informed Justin that Moses had never seen or felt snow in his life until this very day, rather than almost a whole month ago, he would have believed them without question. As Justin led the way down the most interesting route he could think of, through the cream-white citadels making up the wealthy residential areas, or across slippery park bridges that literally saved the lives of those who might fail to recognise the lakes any longer, since the ice that presently covered them with icy layers so thick that snow began to settle. No longer was it always possible for a newcomer to tell whether it was once soft lime grass or the flamboyant deep-sky-blue lakes now imprisoned beneath ice that reflected any colour shone in its direction. Not far behind Justin’s more focused movements, Moses frequently stopped to jump onto a snow-pile, admire a house surrounded by festive lights and dare to put one foot forward onto the naturally formed ice rinks. Occasionally, Justin turned around, ensuring that Moses resisted the temptation to eat the snow or throw a snowball at nothing but mid-air, or at his guide if he really had to. Far from feeling that Moses was a nuisance, Justin saw every bit of himself exactly two years before in his companion’s actions. Moses’ joy at what would very quickly become simple, forsaken pleasures elevated Justin’s spirits to such an extent that he could not feel more fulfilled than in this moment. Directing others towards their happiness gave Justin a meaning clearer than any other goal hammered into his brain by those around him ever could. Were his life to cease right now, there would certainly be so much that Justin wished he’d said and done while the opportunity was on offer, but he felt enough spiritual comfort might have been extracted from what he offered to other people.          

The smile remained upon Moses’ face while Justin led a tour along the international market stalls still dotted in front of the mall, growing ever brighter at the sight of his home’s national flag. He got through three entire bowls of porridge made from mealie-meal and two bottles of millet beer as if it made up his last supper, until he slowed down in order to insist that Justin try some dried cakes. The stall owner, noting how much Moses was enjoying everything, let him have it all on the house. A 'thank you', handshake and hug later, a Merry Christmas wish was offered by all before the two internationals proceeded into the mall.

“So what will we do first, Justin?”

“Well… before we buy anything, or pay Santa a visit, there’s someone I really want you to meet! And, if he can make it, I want him at our party, too!”

“Who is this?”

“You’ll see! He’s an incredible guy all the way from America! I mean… yeah… you live a little further away but still… even if he’s only come from next door, he can get a little homesick, too, I think. ”

The department store deprived of its finest sales assistant the day before welcomed Justin and Moses with arms opened so wide that they both felt more discomfort than flattery as potential customers. Barely two metres into the hair and beauty section on the store’s front line and they were blocked in their path by perfume-drenched supermodel sales associates. While he appreciated the less than gentle reminder to get a gift for Caroline while there was still time, a light head shake and smile sufficed in making clear that now was not the time. Not yet. The department they sought, men’s clothing, was on the second floor. An ascent up the escalator could not have provided a better view of the glistening elf, snowman and Santa figurines dangling, in their hundreds, upon the ceiling. Much of the walls were draped with posters depicting gorgeous Canadians of all ages, shapes, sizes and previously often ill-regarded ethnic backgrounds, showing off what the store had to offer. Every detail of those items could be identified, except the price tag, gracefully hidden in small print in the bottom corner each poster. Such a bombardment of merchandise was enough to make even the stingiest customer feel guilty over not owning all of it yet, but no amount of sales pitching changed the fact that Justin and Moses were students, whose budgets were so broken by the beatings of student loans, medical insurance bills, excessive chocolate, Pepsi or tourist treats on the weekends that they always possessed a rough notion of what gifts they might give or receive on the big day, courtesy of subconsciously laid plans that were meticulously prepared for the assurance that nobody’s heart would be broken too. After the cash proudly spent on party ingredients and petite but thoughtful gifts for those they cared for, luxury clothing starting at most likely three hundred Canadian dollars was, indeed, a luxury they were happy to do without.
   

Their target came within sight before their ascent up the escalator was completed. Luckily, for Justin, the element of surprise remained. There he was, Justin’s tall, handsome, full-muscled saviour, delicately folding soft long-sleeved shirts of all patterns on the display tables. Clearly distinguishable simply because he was the only guy working in the area, Justin would still have identified the man modelling a red and blue stripped, soft cotton top with sleeves rolled up in accordance with the definition of perfection, thanks in no small part to the man’s short and spiked black hair.   

“Danny!” Justin began.

The man they were headed towards looked upward, continuing to fold the shirts as if his eyes had been closed the whole time, before ducking behind the table until he was just visible from his nose upwards, remembering not to linger like that for too long and risk distressing the fast-approaching Brit. Jumping back up and walking around the table towards Justin, Danny casually abandoned his department store duties hug his dear friend, now noticing the nervous skinny dude behind him.

“How’s it goin’, bro?" Danny said. "How may I assist ya’ll today?!”

“Firstly, you can come to our party on Christmas Eve! Please tell me you’re staying in town and not working?!”

“Hell yeah! I ain’t goin’ nowhere this year! Where’s it at?”

“With Caroline and I at our apartment-"

“Aw man… I don’t wanna intrude or nothin’-"

 “And I’d like to meet another guest! He’s awesome! New in town! Danny… this is Moses! Moses… meet Danny!”

“Hello," Moses said. "My name is Moses.”

“How’s it goin’, partner?”

Moses was unprepared for and almost broke his hand during Danny’s very firm but enthusiastic handshake.

“I hope you are well?” Moses continued to Danny.

“Just swell, bro. You’re not from around here are you? Like this guy.”

“Yes I am from Zimbabwe.”

“You mean Africa?! Sweet!"

Danny knew that such an answer would test Justin’s temper. Deliberately toying with the cruel stereotype that cursed Americans or any nationality angered Justin on even the most beautiful days. However, Justin knew his friend fairly well too and so he remembered to stay chilled and take it as a joke, especially when noting the wide-eyed, stare-inducing confusion experienced by Moses right now.

“I do not think we are all the sa-," Moses said.

“It is all good, my friend," Justin assured him. "Danny’s just messing around.”

“For sure, buddy.” Danny added. 

“So how did you become friends?” Moses asked.

“You wanna share that story, Mr Bond?” Danny never got tired of hearing it. 

Justin’s face grew as red as the sparkly ruby spheres hiding in trees of all sizes around the department store. The story alluded to by the iconic British spy label had been willingly shared more times than he could remember. And yet it was futile to pretend that the embarrassment of imparting such knowledge upon new friends was great risk. Once a mark of shame, Justin began to notice a humorous dimension to the tale that grew ever greater each time he told it. It would, ultimately help Moses anyway, even if only by providing a few minutes of laughter.   

“Well, Moses. Once upon a time, I was in a nightclub trying to get with a girl. You understand that phrase, right? Get with? I didn't at the time. Seriously.”

“Yes. Does it mean kissing?” Moses said. 

“Hell no, bro!" Danny entered. "It means he ripped off his shirt and then totally-“

“Yes this what it means!" Justin returned. "I'd ignore this fellow's interpretation!”

“Who was the girl?” Moses asked.

“Uh… It didn’t matter," Justin admitted. "Anybody. Sounds screwed but yeah. Anyone. It could have been anyone. Anyone with a beating heart at least.”

“Okay," said Moses. "I think I understand.”

“Right. So I see this girl by the bar. A brunette. I think. I dance like a buffoon towards her and she just laughs. Before I even introduce myself, she wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me forward as if she had discovered her soulmate. She starts making out with me, kissing me everywhere. Literally everywhere.”

 “For real, bro?” Danny asked, knowing the answer, of course. 

“Okay. Not literally everywhere. But all over my face. I’ve now got more strawberry lipstick on me than she does. It’s my first time here and in that instant I decide to con myself into thinking that this is it. I’ve found the one. So I try to take control, just by leaning backwards to put this kissing on pause for a second. Awfully ecstatic, though, I barely manage to ask the simple questions. I inquire about her name. It’s Megan, I think. I ask who she’s with and she, I kid yu not, replies that she’s here with her girlfriends. Her best friends, right? And then I attempt to discuss the occasion that warranted our presence here, which I have since then sort of wanted to forget.”

“Like that’ll ever happen, cowboy!” Danny teased. 

“Why do you say this, Danny?” Moses asked. 

“Because, Moses, it turns out that she was out on a break, from her boyfriend.”

“You mean they were not together anymore?”

“He wishes!”

“Right," Justin continued. "On a break does not mean broken up. Not with her. Before I could make a run for it, I was grabbed and thrown to the ground as if an explosive was about to detonate. Above my aching, tequila-stained face stood her paramour and my executioner. Megan was shaking but not for my sake! I guess that I was just an opportunity for Prince Charming to prove himself to her. But before I was beaten and possibly deported, Danny stepped in. All that he had to do was stand firm with clenched fists between me and the scorned lovers to prevent a romantic tragedy. I calmly stood up, thanked Danny, for some reason bothered saying goodbye to Jerry Springer’s next contestants and limped outside the front entrance. So… yeah… Danny saved my life. Or at least my Canadian one.”

Now engrossed in the tale, Moses took the pause a chance to choose his questions wisely.

“Geez! Did you have to fight, Danny?”

“Nah. I coulda if I had to but it turns I knew ‘em both. Megan tried to play the same darn trick on me only the week before! And her stud, Austin, ain’t nothin’ but a feral pig! A total wimp who’s always tryin’ to look like the toughest dude around!”

“How did you know it was too good to be true?”

“Well, I didn't." Justin confessed. "I should have kept a level head and not let myself get seduced by desires so small in reality. I suppose I just thought. deep within me, that wasn't worth much, and so I had to take every chance I got."

“Go easy on yourself, 007," Danny said. "Hell… lots of folks would have gone crazy if a beauty like Megan started smoochin’ on ‘em. I just knew her is all. But I also am a damn good detective and I did happen to notice that she still had a photo on her iPhone of herself all cosied up by a winter fire with Austin, smilin’ and all that. She kinda forgot to check that there detail when she begged for me to put my number in it.”

With a burning inclination to change topics now that all seemed out in the open, Justin concluded the opening chapter of their conversation with tap upon Danny’s shoulder. In return, Danny winked, which Justin confidently interpreted as, I got your back, bro.

“So now we’ve been friends for about year and a half now," Justin said. "We had very different interests and styles of handling everything, but we helped each other when we could. The least I could do was help Danny out with his essays. That was a game he didn’t really like playing.”

“Only because it is so unfair! I still don’t get why I gotta waste my damn time in some crazy-ass arts class if I’m a science major!”

“Why did you come to Canada, Danny?” Moses asked. 

“Well… the truth is… it ain’t what I planned. I wanted to be a football player ever since I watched my first game as a little tyke. But I got stupid and injured myself during high school so badly that I couldn’t play it no more. Just some screwed up leg muscle or somethin’. At least I could still do my thing with the girls. Anyways, I convinced my lovin’ folks to let my go to school in Canada. I needed an adventure and I wanted to find stuff that I’d never known about if I’d followed my original path.”

Moses had never witnessed such confidence before. He was a little initiated by his ostensibly care-free and expert approach towards women but already too infected with the positive vibe oozing from Danny’s every word to care too much. Justin was only too pleased to observe two of his friends getting on so well. He always feared introducing friends that were ostensibly totally different characters, from walks of life with an even greater disparity, at least in part. There was always the risk that such a meeting would be hindered by the preconception that Justin’s friends were his friends only and it was necessary to involve them in no more than brief, polite but essentially pointless conversation with each other, as if everyone involved had made enough friends already. Relief made herself comfortable in Justin’s warmed heart at the realisation that Danny and Moses might gladly hang out in his absence, which made the next item on the day’s agenda that much more exciting.
 

“Well, gentlemen,” Justin began. “I think it’s time Moses and I departed before we get you fired.”

“Nah," Danny assured him. "Stick around, boys. You’d be doin’ me a favour.”

“I thought you liked this job?” 

“I did! For, like, one week! It’s so boring! A fun and fast-paced environment, my ass!”

“Not all the time… surely?”

“Not ever!”

“We have something in common,” Moses offered in consolation. “My work is starting to make me fall asleep!”

“I thought you liked that part where you get to meet new people?” Justin had a pretty good idea that Danny was in the sort of trouble they discussed just moments before.

“Yeah but I’m gonna get my butt beat when Sarah from the shoe section finds out I got myself Lauren’s number from over in the children’s department. My days here are numbered!”

“I do not understand why Sarah would care,” Moses inquired, bemused by Danny’s ostensibly harmless behaviour.

“They’re sorta best friends, bro. Bad move on my part. I didn’t know right away! I swear!”

“Oh dear,” came Justin’s very helpful concern morphed into words. 

“Why is this bad, Justin?” Moses asked.

“There’s an unwritten golden rule in dating." Justin said. "One that just about everyone is at least tempted once in their lives to break. But doing so, at least from what I’ve seen, never, ever works for the better. You’ll definitely hear it more eloquently put later but, for now, Never ever go for the best friend.”

Danny was suddenly prompted to take a small leap of faith and turned to a co-worker, an absolutely beautiful blonde girl even with the slight overuse of foundation upon her face, in order to make his move.

“Howdy, Rachel! Do ya mind passin’ on some info to the Devil’s wife for me next time she comes marchin’ around?

“I’m working, Danny boy." Rachel replied. "Unlike some people.”

In spite of the stinging irritation in her otherwise soothing voice, Danny continued.

“Just tell ‘er I got a stomach ache. And a headache. Actually, darlin’… just go ahead and tell ‘er I quit. And I’m keepin’ this here shirt I got on.”

“Whatever.”

“Let’s rock and roll, boys! I bet you came here for more than just savin’ my ass!” 

“Well… I was thinking… Moses and I have some presents to buy , we must visit Santa and then we can go grab if some food if you want?”

“You got it!”

“Where are we going next, Justin?” Moses asked. 

“You decide. This is you first time in a Canadian mall, right? Tell me what you’re looking for and I guarantee you there’s an entire shop dedicated to it.”

“I was hoping to buy some chocolate.”

“Perfect!” Justin said. 

“If this is his first time in Canada, we gotta take him to Taco Bell,” Danny suggested.

“What is this?” Moses inquired.

“It’s an American fast-food chain that serves mostly Mexican food. Good enough food, but if you’re looking to enjoy your first Canadian meal out, this will not count!” 

“I would still love to try it.”

“Damn right you would!” Danny said.

“That, my friends, is fine by me." Justin said. "Now… to Choco Land!”

A descent down the escalator and a two minute trek brought the international crew into a circus filled of candy-themed delights. As their mouths dried, their eyes shone and their breathing slowed with yearning at the sight of chocolate fountains incessantly but gracefully producing swirls of milk and white chocolate, hand-carved dark chocolate statues of Santa accompanied by two reindeers, complete with shinning red cherries upon one of their noses, they might have held the hands up in terror if one of the cheerful sales associates had declared that they’d entered the home of royalty. Not that they took any notice of the obligatory customer service offers at first, since all three gentlemen quickly had their gazes fixed upwards towards a small toy train speeding overhead. To the tune of We Wish You a Merry Christmas the metal mini-beast flew along a track shaped like a spontaneous paint splash. What held their attention was a selection of tiny sweets overflowing from every carriage. No one would have complained if this train suddenly crashed. In order to avoid blocking other customers, Moses and Danny followed Justin’s lead towards a far corner of the store to make their next move clear. That decision now lay entirely with Moses.

“This is so amazing!" Moses said. "I have so much choice here!”

“Indeed," Justin said." "We can narrow that down, though, with just a few details. Please tell us about Abigail?”

“This here trip is for a girl!?" Danny asked. I knew it! Come on there, boy! Let the gator out the cage!”

“Alright," Moses said. It is not a long story. She is my neighbour in the residence building, living opposite my dorm. I think we met by the end of my first full week in Canada. Is that strange?”

“No. I don’t think so at all,” Justin replied quickly to appease the discomfort evident in Moses’ glance towards the floor. Not for the first time had Justin observed or experienced waiting for what felt like an eternity to meet someone with whom there was a mutual, intense desire to place the other person on a pedestal, only to have that someone crash into him when she was neither expected nor prepared for. “Go on, buddy. You have nothing to fear from Danny and I. You’re among friends. What happened next?”

“Yeah, man!" Danny said. "Get to the good stuff!”

“Thank you, both of you." Moses said. "I was returning late one night to my room after an international student orientation dinner. I was approaching the entrance to my room in the corridor when I noticed a group of fellow students running towards me. They were all so lively! Drunk, I believe, although hopefully not too much. In front of this group of maybe five or six students was Abigail. As they passed me she stopped and the others did the same. One girl behind her shouted that I was the African guy that she was telling her about. I think this friend must have seen me before somewhere. It does not matter.”

Justin was beginning to fight off Suspicion once again. He could sense that story was reaching a climax and yet it was becoming clear that Moses didn’t really know Abigail at all. Hoping that this wasn’t true was all that held him back from interrupting.

“After her friend said this, Abigail slowly placed her hand upon my cheek and said that I could join them, so that she could, admire my beautiful face. I froze. It happened so fast! I couldn’t even ask for her name. They must have taken my silence as a no because they were running away down the rest of the corridor seconds later. I just went into my room and went to sleep but I have thought about Abigail ever since.”

“Uh… dude… you didn’t even have her name, right?" Danny asked. "You sure you weren’t dreamin’? Just a little?”

“Not at all. I know exactly what happened. I promise! I got her name later when I bumped into her on the next day on my way to class. We had our introductions and she said that I was a real gentleman. Apart from that we just say hi now and again but I think she is amazing!”

“Why?” Justin asked. 

“She is gorgeous! Her smile makes me feel… happy? Honestly… I do not know what to say here. But I really want to buy her present for Christmas! I want to show her that I… I could make her feel happy, too.”

The dams of hope were now breached and Justin could no longer withhold scrutiny. In the most delicate manner he could manage, he needed to save Moses from hurting himself. Danny, however, adopted a bolder approach before Justin could speak his mind.

“Come on, pal." Danny said. "Ya don’t even know ‘er!”

“But I want to." Moses said. "Really!”

“You’re kinda forgettin’ something. She has to like you first. And I’m tellin’ ya now that ain’t gonna happen just because you played Santa at one of her parties!”

“But I think she’s so brilliant! I cannot not do this! Leave me alone!”

“Moses," Justin interjected. "I believe you. And I know Danny does, too. I know that you mean well. But listen… I am certain that Abigail will appreciate this gift but that will be the end of it. A gift will not make her suddenly think about you in the light you’re describing her to us now.”

“Trust me, bro," Danny said. "If ya show up at her door and give ‘er a present expecting ‘er to fall for you in return, even just a little, it’d be like stampin’ the word ‘desperate’ right in your horsehead with damn hot iron. You're better than that.”

A lone tear fell from Moses’ left eye, slithering slowly down his cheek and followed eventually by a tear from the neighbouring eye before the former drop lost its grip upon the cheek to form a tiny puddle of shame on the floor. A strained and now humiliated soul turned his back on his friends to face the giant smiley face chocolate buttons dotted around the shop window, folding his arms in a pitiful attempt to keep his outpouring despair at bay.

“Hey, buddy," Justin said. "We mean well. I promise you that. The reason Danny and I can’t let you do this is because we’ve been there. You’ll meet many guys who may act like they were born knowing exactly how make a girl… fall in love with them. But I can assure you that they are doing just that. Acting.”

“Then why do they pretend so much?" Moses asked. "Why do they lie to make it look easy to me?”

“They’re afraid, to arrogant, I guess? It depends on the person.”

“Point is, bro, that ya ain’t gonna get this girl on a plate." Danny said. "If ya do, it happens. But let me know, will ya? Because you’ll have won yourself a lottery!”

Moses now turned back to his friends, able to at least continue looking at them in the eye.

“I think I understand," Moses said. "But I have this voice in my head that says over and over again that I must do it.”

There were some lessons that, even if imparted upon another by the most inspiring mentor, would nonetheless be ignored by the learner at their peril until it was learned the hard way. Not entirely certain about whether to employ further tough love or cling to the fragile hope keeping Moses set on his path towards all but inevitable chest pains, Justin knew only that he needed to decide fast, before Danny took a more unpredictable lead in the situation.

“Okay, my friend, " Justin said. "Neither Danny nor I were there with you when this chance-fuelled relationship developed, so for all we know, what you’re planning might be a step in the right direction. It shouldn’t make things worse at least. Don’t expect a miracle, though. This wouldn’t be a gift if you expected any reward for it.”

“Alright," said Moses. "I will hope for the best but expect nothing.”

“Try puttin’ yourself in ‘er postion, dude," Danny insisted. "If a girl, even Miss America, came outta nowhere into your life just to give ya a present and then disappear, hopin’ you’d chase after her, how would ya feel?”

“I… I do not know. I suppose I would think it was very strange.” 

“Right on! You’re a fast learner!”

“But I still want to get her a gift. If I could get something for anyone her, it would be her.”

“Oh boy. Okay… maybe you ain’t that fast.”

“Whatever you decide to do," Justin added, "please, please do not define your Christmas by what happens next. It really, truly isn’t worth it.”

“Alright," said Moses. "I will just be a few minutes.”

“We’re here if you need us. Take your time.”

“Thank you so much. Both of you.”

"I ain’t sure if we helped much, " Danny said. "But sure, you got it!”

“Our pleasure, " Justin concluded. 

Nearly an hour had passed before Moses finally chose a suitable chocolate box. To an anxious Justin he declared that it was a golden box for a golden girl before taking up to the store counter. Justin noted nerves suddenly returning to Moses as the box began to shake in the grip of his bony hands, as if this was the moment where his commitment to Abigail was sealed. More than a bittersweet variety of chocolates were concealed within this treasure chest, for it carried the tender affections of a lonely man so desperate to share it in the only way he deemed possible. Moses would see his offering either in Abigail’s willing hands or in the nearest trash can. Even the large, bearded checkout operator with dark brown hair and circular glasses took note of Moses’ sombre disposition and so made a greater effort than usual to smile and happily offer his customer the opportunity to warp the gift for an extra dollar, bringing the total in Moses’ mind to normally high but presently reasonable total of thirty five bucks. Readying the exact amount from the depths of his pockets, his fragile mind was thrown when the John, according a name badge on his chest, declared the final sum to pay as 36 dollars and 75 cents. Already Moses grand plan was in jeopardy because Moses had not anticipated needing to adapt so quickly to yet another element of Canadian life. He was yet to get used to the nuisance experienced by newcomers to Canada’s general sales tax. Of course Moses had heard of tax before but he understood it only in such a way that already included the additional fee in the original price. Justin and Danny, both more than used to this style that warranted always carrying just a little extra than they needed, glanced at each other in mutual guilt over their failure to warn their panicked friend. Placing the price tag total on the counter, Moses began frantically searching for extra change. He had just secured it inside his other pocket when John, not out of impatience but compassion, assured Moses that he had it covered, swiftly slotting the missing change into the cash till from out of his own pocket. Moses became so shocked that he asked if he was in trouble, to which John replied that he was in nothing of the sort and then wished him a Merry Christmas. Nothing proves that there is still hope in the most dire of situations better than a random act of kindness, especially from a stranger, which by now Justin and Danny also had fortunately understood through their Canadian endeavours. With the present purchased, wrapped and ready, it was time to see Santa one last time before the big day.                   

Mr Clause remained precisely where Justin had observed him the day before. Ever since he set foot and began to establish himself in his own new world, he had promised himself to remain forever wary of allowing the opinions of others, especially strangers passing through his life within mere seconds, to control his decisions. Yet there were times when even alone and certain that no one whom he cared for would ever have the opportunity to judge a particular decision unless he deliberately shared the knowledge of its outcome, more often than not for humour’s sake or to relive his fragile heart’s distress, his courage and thirst for excitement would lay slain by panic of overwhelming proportions at the possibility of great embarrassment or, worse still, shame in the wake of certain behaviour.  Even the ever-tempting North Pole residence structure, crafted with fine, shining, immaculately cut, creamy pine and surrounded by delicate cloud-white picket fencing glittered with cherry-scented candy canes, failed to force Justin to forsake the concern in his mind that lining up as the only lone grown man competing with equally determined children and families to enjoy a brief moment feeling like care-free royalty and capture this memory with Santa in an Instagram-worthy fashion for the world to envy would look weird or worse in the eyes of any witness. Now, with Moses and Danny willingly by his side, he felt more than able to endure or even ignore embarrassment in all its most likely guises. He prayed that his two companions felt the same way, at least understanding that he appreciated the sense of flattery now warming his winter-battered blood, spawned by a loyalty shown by the two gentlemen, which could not have been too unlike Justin’s interpretation of Santa’s own followers - the petit-sized but grand-hearted elves draped in their hope-inducing shamrock green clown outfits doing what little they could to make Christmas special.

Gratitude for the company of friends was soon under siege by boredom at the sight of a long line of children ahead of them, each one unafraid to spend as long as they desired with the gift of Santa’s time and counsel. Justin needed to act fast in seizing a reminder of the big day’s obstacle course comprising of a minefield of dullness and turning it into a moment of genuine bonding with those he was desperate not to take for granted. 

“So," Justin began. "Who is your roommate in the rez building?”

“I do not know," Moses replied. "I have not met him yet. I have not even seen him!”

“Ever? But you have been living there for almost a month now.”

“Go easy on ‘em, bro," said Danny. "I sure as hell wish I never saw a couple of the dudes livin’ with me at my place. I swear to God… if one more of ‘em tells me that I gotta stop goin’ to the gym so much, or that I gotta lower the volume, I’m gonna get myself deported!”

“Rather extreme, Danny?" said Justin. "Wouldn’t you say?”

“Whatever. We click mostly, like over football, barbecue steak dinners at Earl’s and hookin’ up with talent and stuff. but I ain’t missin’ ‘em too much since they all went home for the holidays. Hell, none of ‘em invited me over for Thanksgiving way back when anyways, so the feeling’s probably mutual.”

“I am sorry,” Justin said.

“Aw… It’s cool. Seriously… the American one’s bigger and better anyways. You’re in for a treat if ya stick around ‘til next year, Moses!”

“Thank you so much!" Moses said. "I look forward to it. Anyway, the person living with me has not done anything wrong at all. I think his routine is so different. His room is so quiet that I am never sure if he is even in there. And usually he comes in so late, like at two or three in the morning, to make dinner in the kitchen! ”

“Why not just say hello?" Justin suggested. "Or knock on his door?”

                Eyes turning inward, as if looking into the brain, shoulders reluctantly shrugging and hands slithering down motionless hips into cramped pockets proved indicated that Moses was trapped internally, forcing himself to remain stuck in the non-existent relationship with the person living closest to him, tragically defined in such a short and uneventful space of time. Justin wondered if Moses’ desire to take risks had also been exhausted by all of the energy spent seeking to become a significant part of Abigail’s life at a speed seen only on the silver screen. However, Moses’ apparent denial of or inability to verbally communicate such possibilities resulted in an answer that, while unhelpful on its own, seemed easy enough to build a solution upon.

“I do not know,” Moses admitted.

“Yo ain’t got nothin’ to fear, partner!" Danny said. "You should totally make a move next time an opportunity to meet this roomie jumps at ya and just roll with it!”

“Danny is right, buddy." Justin said. "It really won’t take that much effort to get acquainted, even if you have to get out of bed at a bizarre hour for it. You got this far with us! Who knows what getting to know your nearest neighbour will bring you.”

“Do you honestly know nothin’ about this person?” Danny asked. 

“His name tag on the door going into our shared kitchen says Frederick, said Moses, "And he usually leaves behind a big mess with a wok and soggy leftover noodles blocking the sink! But he always cleans it up eventually. That is it.”

“We look forward to hearing what happens when you meet this fellow, then." Justin said. "Is he still around this close to Christmas?”

“I… I think so.”

“If you get on with him, you could even-”

Justin was suddenly interrupted by a deep, husky but crucially cheerful voice that could only have been Santa’s. Loudly and affectionately, with all the welcome that he could muster, Santa declared:

“Hello, my dear!!!”

Justin responded with the grace of a fakawi bird in turning to face Santa, who stood before him and his friends with open hands and mildly outstretched arms. Justin failed to take note of Santa’s gaze directed downwards, assuming that he must be making eye-contact with him from now barely a metre away. Putting all thoughts of Moses and Danny and all life beyond on hold, Justin eagerly raised his hand to stomach level, certain that Santa would gladly shake it and begin continue to fulfil more Christmas wishes. This was Justin’s chance. Time to make it count.

“Hello there, sir! My name is -”

An avalanche of snow-cold shock clogged Justin’s throat the instant he realized what he has just done. Prompted by a confused smile taking shape behind Santa’s beard, Justin became fixated on the nervous, widened blue eyes now staring blankly towards him until they guided his own down towards the ground just in front of him, currently occupied by an equally confused and silent blonde infant clothed in a pink cotton jumper and purple mittens, whose parents were no doubt nearby either laughing at or bewildered by the consequences of the grown man’s over-excitement for Santa. Justin would be unable to recall any additional details concerning her appearance as a consequence of immediately turning back towards Moses and Danny like an outnumbered soldier seeking support after a great military blunder. His reinforcements, once stood behind him patiently awaiting their leader’s next move, were now barely visible through the crowd of shoppers as they sprinted as fast as they could, most likely, Justin thought as he perused them without wishing Santa or the baffled children farewell, towards the nearest exit. Making a long overdue effort to observe small details around him while the distance to his friends gradually narrowed in spite of the occasional turnings in the mall’s maze of shops, Justin quickly took note of a sign that immediately put all fear of losing his best friends to rest. Neither Danny nor Moses might ever look or treat Justin the same again. Part of Justin needed to confirm this suspicion without delay as he finally slowed to a jog just behind Moses. But for now, at Danny’s command, it was time for dinner.

Only the fear that laughing or cringing too hard might result in chocking allowed for all three of Taco Bell’s most recent customers to devour a plate of crispy golden nachos splattered with warm, greasy ground beef, gooey New Mexico sun-yellow cheese sauce and ripe tomatoes bleeding out juice and seeds at an alarming rate, covered gladly buy Danny as an early Christmas gift, instead of savouring the larger-than-necessary starter over a discussion of their abandoned festive photo shoot.  Main courses were moments away from discovery hand in hand with relish on a truly international scale when a bitterly beautiful lyric soprano rendition of Happy Xmas (War is Over) started playing from every mall loudspeaker in sight, albeit at a volume level that allowed for audible conversation between listeners to continue. Justin’s attentive concern for Moses’ delirious behaviour immediately noted his defeatist slouching into the seat, followed instantly by a motionless face becoming fixed upon his crotch, as if he was willingly presenting himself for an excruciating torture ritual that entailed the faintest of lights, able to guide him towards his most ambitious hopes, should he survive the trauma in a fashion deemed worthy from above, only to discover afterwards that this light was a lie. Out of all of the Canadian musical treasures celebrated through home-grown radio stations around the country to Justin’s undying appreciation, from Nickelback to Shania Twain, Avril Lavigne to Michael Bublé, Bryan Adams to even the notably less well-known Theory of a Deadman, somebody just had to play Celine Dion. While Justin was certain that Dion’s immediate association with Titanic was accelerating Moses’ emotional decline, he was equally sure that Moses would have identified a link to his captive heart’s despair in the lyrics of even the most upbeat Christmas hits boasting nothing to do with romantic love. Regardless, Jingle Bells would have been a warmly welcomed attempt at reminding Moses that a Life had gladly let go of his hand, leaving behind a fresco steak soft taco, stuffed with chilli marinated medium-cooked meat and cocooned within a flour tortilla, now cooling fast on the table. With the Dion classic playing on, however, it was up to Justin and Danny to snap Moses out of his discomforting trance.

“You gonna eat that, bro?" Danny asked. "You dunno what you’re missin’.”

“I am not hungry anymore,” said Moses. 

“Suit yourself.”

“I know that you are worried about what will happen tomorrow," said Justin. "But you mustn’t let it get to you like this. Abigail is no doubt enjoying herself right now, whatever she’s doing, and you deserve to do the same.”

Merry couples embracing their spells on each other in all directions, through the tender clasping of hands to protect against a lustful icy wind, or the ostensibly effortless but more likely tirelessly rehearsed grace with which they kissed with immeasurable gratitude for the regenerative passion inspired by their bond, beat back the initial attempt to cheer Moses up. Feeling justified in his myth that he was currently the loneliest man alive, Moses refrained from looking his friends in the eyes.

“How do you deal without that sort of love with it, Danny?”

“You mean girls? I’m just bangin’ ‘em. I ain’t got time for that other stuff.”

“So you are just not worried. Just having fun, right?”

“Exactly, buddy!”

“How can you do that? Play with the hearts of girls like that… It’s so-”

“Cool it, Romeo. I know how you feel. Trust me. But don’t take your mess out on me! This princess of yours really ain’t worth that!”   

“I… I am sorry.”

Observing that Moses clearly felt remorse for careless words, Justin realised that total transparency, or simply something close to it, would ensure that friendships were not needlessly destroyed for the sake of an almost hopeless ideal.

“Danny," Justin began. "Maybe if Moses knew what happened to you?”

“Me?" Danny asked.  "What about your own dramas? Why are mine so damn significant.”

“Because I have yet to move on far enough away from them to make anything I say sound at all helpful.”

“Whatever. Go ahead. Tell ‘em. It’ll give me time to eat up my burrito anyways.”

Intrigued by Justin’s proposal, although still in denial that anyone had suffered to the extent that he had over a girl, Moses set his gaze upon his friends.

“What is this story?” Moses asked. 

“To explain all would scar the evening, my friend. But you must know the basics. Danny was in love once, with a gorgeous girl, who dumped him after he was cut from the football team, as if a split from the sport he loved wasn’t enough.”

“Why?”

“Football was all he had going for him. It was what every other great quality he possessed, like charm, confidence, passion and all that, revolved around.”

Danny needed to clarify something, for everyone's sake sake.

“Look, pal. She wasn’t in it for me anyways. No love at all. She just wanted to be the hot, popular chick known for dating the guy on the football team. This was also just at the moment that my old man's business went to hell because of the recession, not that I could ever explain that mess. I’m damn sure that there’s better out there. There's gotta be some golden girls around, so long as I keep diggin’.”

“Then why have you stopped looking?” Moses asked. 

“Cos I’m ain’t in no hurry, dude. I got plenty to figure out right now with my career and stuff. Honestly… you guys are all I want and need right now. In the meantime though, a little fun never hurt nobody. Just gotta be clear with her and yourself is all.”

“The point is," Justin added, "this is a cliché but only because no one accepts it… you are not alone. Ever… most of the time anyway.”

“I… I do not know. I think I just wanted to find something in Canada that I would never have found anywhere else. And I wanted to prove to my parents and to myself that I am worthy of this. This might be far more than just a job, or a house… it could be… a person. Someone who was really special.”

“It will probably not happen overnight. You must realise that. I hope it does, but… who knows really? You you have us at least, for what little it might be worth right now.”

“Yes. I do. Thank you. Both of you.” Moses said.

“You’re all good, boy!” Danny assured him. 

“Our pleasure," Justin added. "What’s the plan tomorrow for giving Abigail this gift?”  

“There is a party tomorrow at her dorm for her close friends… and neighbours. I do not think she knows many international students, so it will be a good chance to make lots of Canadian friends.”

“Great!" Justin said. Don’t make it too obvious that your evening depends on her reaction to your gift. See this as a chance to make friends and hopefully even more may come out of it.”

“My thoughts exactly, man!” Danny added.

“I really hope she likes the present.” Moses returned.

“We all do," Justin assured him. "Truly. Just… try and be prepared… if that’s even possible. Thinking about it… have you got a phone?”

“Yes. I have a mobile with a new Canadian number. I am on pay as you go for now.”

“You better put in our numbers, bro!" Danny said. "In case this here romance goes to hell… or something like that.”

“Good idea." Moses said.  "Thank you.”

“Call us, whatever the hour, alright?" Justin said. "Whenever you need to. Even if it be when we should all be sleeping!”

“Yeah! What he said, man!" Danny said. "If I ain’t answering, It’’l be cos I’m probably dead and buried, or some chick’s got my damn phone again!”

In patient silence the gentlemen took turns in exchanging mobile numbers, taking as long as they needed to ensure that every digit was correct, in order to appease the growing certainty between them that it would not be long before one of them called for aid in an emergency.

“No problem," said Moses. "Well, it is late. I have had a wonderful timer with you guys today, but we should probably get going, especially if we are walking home. It will be so dark and cold now!”

“Walkin’?" Danny asked. "Hell no, man! We got free bus passes, remember?”

“I did not know this!”

“Well they are knida not free actually. They’re covered by your tuition. Don’t tell me Justin was gonna walk you back?!”

“I had occurred to me," Justin admitted. "I do enjoy a winter walk… sometimes. The bus it is!”

“I’ll see ya’ll on Christmas Eve, then?” Danny asked.

“Perfect!” Justin asserted.

At Justin’s concluding definition of the day out, they left the mall filled with joy, riding home on the same bus until Danny departed at the stop closest to his apartment, leaving both Moses and Justin with a hug as a temporary shelter of warmth from the unleashed winter night. A few stops later, Justin and Moses proceeded quickly and silently into the residence hall and parted ways in the elevator at Justin’s floor. There was little more Justin could do other than wish his friend good luck and farewell until the party. Moses was now carried forward by a revived confidence because he knew for certain that he now had two wonderful gentlemen friends who believed in him, without question, whether tomorrow would bring joy or pain. Thus, such a parting from them then was more than enough that night as the elevator doors slowly shut on Justin’s floor with the teasing uncertainty of an encore often prompted by closing stage curtains. Comforting thoughts of sanctuary in the wake of sudden prosperity or disaster continued to suffice as Moses crept cautiously down that fateful corridor to the sanctuary of his dorm.