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EIGHTY-NINE

EMERALD FALLS

Mazie shook her mama again and tried to get her to sip some water, but she was unresponsive. Fear clogged Mazie’s throat. Her mama’s face felt so hot Mazie jerked her hand away.

How much longer could they live like this? She’d heard people whispering about another possible ice storm on the way.

People were starting to leave the festival for the day, the booths and games shutting down.

“Mama, it’s Mazie,” she whispered again. “I’ve got food.”

Mama’s eyes lolled back in her head and her body jerked then went limp. Mazie grabbed her arm. “Mama, can you hear me?”

Her stomach clenched. Mama was getting sicker and sicker. She needed help.

She stood, debating whether to go into the restaurant but remembered the nice taco lady.

“I’ll be right back,” she said then kissed her mother’s cheek.

But she felt someone behind her. She swallowed hard, afraid the drug store man had found her. But it was Ms. Barbara.

“Oh, my word,” Ms. Barbara said. “What’s going on here, honey?”

“It’s Mama,” Mazie cried. “She’s sick. I was going to get help for her.”

Santa suddenly appeared behind Ms. Barbara and looked at her mother’s crumpled body. “This is the reason you asked me to help your mother,” Santa said.

Ms. Barbara turned toward him. “We’re fine. I’ll take care of her.”

Santa took Mazie by the arm. “Come on, sweetie, your friend and I will get her help together.”

Santa grabbed Ms. Barbara’s arm, too. Her eyes widened and she made a strangled sound as Santa hauled her toward a van. “Where are we going?” Mazie asked.

Santa pushed her into the back seat. Ms. Barbara shoved at Santa but he pulled a gun from inside his Santa suit and aimed it at her.

Mazie opened her mouth to scream, but he turned the gun toward her and Ms. Barbara got in the back seat with her. Seconds later he tied Ms. Barbara’s hands together, then he hurried to the driver’s side, jumped in and sped away.

Mazie burst into tears and leaned against Ms. Barbara as they left her mama behind.