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He Looks Like He Needs A Hug

“Good morning.” Sarah smiled. “I’ve got fresh markers if you need them.”

“Oh, great. I left mine at Jeb’s place. I’m glad you’ve got my back.” He said with a weary smile.

“Are you okay?”

“Absolutely. Today is going to be great.”

‘He looks like he needs a hug.’ She hugged her clipboard. “Sure it is. Say, um…”

He leaned in.

“Think I could treat you to a movie this week?” She whispered.

His smile filled her with butterflies. “That sounds great. What’s playing?”

“I don’t know.” She giggled. “I’ll have to look it up.”

“That’s fine. I’m sure whatever you pick will be great. You haven’t steered me wrong yet.”

‘Oh. My. God! You’re going to give me a coronary.’ She looked around. “Okay, great. Got to keep…you know.”

“Sure, thanks for the markers.” He strolled off, waving to people. ‘Jeb was right. Should have stayed in bed.’

He signed pictures and took selfies with people as he wandered around the Christmas village. ‘That’s a pretty crappy attitude. You can do better. You should do better.’

“Is this what you guys do these days?” The Chief scowled at him.

“Beats the alternative.” Paul forced himself to smile.

“Well, I’m glad you didn’t bring that mess with you.”

“Me, too.” Paul kept smiling, but there was a slight twitch in his eye. ‘You wouldn’t last a second if I did.’

“Came to enjoy the quiet life for a while?”

“I grew up in a place like this.” He looked around. “Kind of brings me back. You know?”

The Chief nodded and sauntered off.

“Megaman!”

Paul turned around to find a family smiling at him. “Hey, guys. Are we having a happy holiday around here or what?”

They reminded him of something, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. He pulled out a blue marker. The younger brother had a Sentinels comic book he wanted to have signed. Cute little blond kid like Eric.

An icicle ran down Paul’s spine. He looked at the older brother. Dark hair and studious, like Jack. Everybody bundled up for the weather. ‘Oh, my.’

As much as he tried to keep it light and move on, he couldn’t get the image out of his head. Those kids laid up in the hospital. His breathing became ragged. ‘Got to sit down somewhere.’

“You don’t look so good.” Ryan approached.

“I could use a seat.” Paul staggered toward him.

Ryan yanked the bag out of a nearby trash can and flipped it over for him. “Here. Take a minute.”

Paul leaned on it for a moment as he looked around. Probably wouldn’t do to be seen collapsing onto an inverted trash can. He took a deep breath and Ryan helped him hop up on it. “Thanks.”

“Everything okay?”

“I think I should have called off today.”

“Maybe so. Coming down with something?”

“Not exactly.”

“I can get Carol for you.”

“No, I just want to sit here a minute. Got to put my game face on.”

“Guess it’s tougher being a superhero than it seems.”

“Buddy, you’ve got no idea.” Paul sucked a deep breath and let it out slowly. “People see the showbiz part of it, think that’s all there is.”

“Are you going to be alright?”

“Sure, thanks.” Paul hopped down. “You’re a lifesaver, Ryan. Thanks for taking the time.”

He watched the superhero wander off as he flipped the can over. He dropped the bag back into the can.

“He doesn’t look so good.” Earl said.

“That’s what I told him. Said maybe he ought to have called out today.”

“Yeah, I’ll go find Carol. Better to not have him today than to have him keel over on us.”

“I think you’re right.”

Earl turned to him. “You don’t look so hot yourself. Maybe It’s spreading.”

“I didn’t sleep great last night. I’ll be okay.”

“Sure, kid. Tough it out today and get some sleep tonight. I’m going to need everybody at their best tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

Earl smiled. “Yep. Time for more Christmas magic, buddy.”

“You don’t say.”

“About sunset, everybody will take their trailers and head home. How’s your carpentry?”

“Hammer, saw, screwdriver.” Ryan shrugged. “No problem.”

Earl gave his shoulder a pat. “Great, kid. I’m glad you’re here. I appreciate the hard work.”

“Mind if I join the afternoon crew tomorrow?”

“Want to sleep in?”

“Didn’t want to miss church.”

Earl smiled. “Same here.”

‘Probably ought to find Carol anyway.’ Ryan swept his way down the hill. Looking around for litter to pick up, he spotted the Chief eyeballing him. ‘Don’t need this today.’

He pretended to find something to clean up between the trailers to escape the Chief’s glare.

“Hi, Megaman.”

He twirled to find the voice. “Hey there, girls.”

Trilby and Marta were sharing a dish of funnel cake.

“I think Carol has some singers lined up this afternoon.” He rubbed at his twitching eye.

Marta glanced at Trilby. “That sounds nice. Are you looking forward to that?”

“She played a demo tape for me. They should be even better live.”

“Nice. Nice. That’s nice. Isn’t it, Marta?” Trilby smiled a bit too much.

Paul forced himself to stop rubbing at his eye. “Jeb asked you to keep an eye on me. Didn’t he?”

“Yes, and it’s a good thing.” Marta hissed. “You don’t have to do this.”

“I’m alright.”

“Not so much.” Marta’s brows knitted.

“Wow, you do a pretty good imitation of Mary Christmas.”

She looked at Trilby and back to Megaman. “I don’t know who that is, but I’ll take your word for it. Seriously. If you need a ride back to the farm, we’re here.”

Paul nodded. “I feel better just knowing that. I think I can hang in for the sing-along.”

“Want some funnel cake?” Trilby held the plate out.

He pinched off a portion. “Thanks. That will really hit the spot.”

Marta eyed him suspiciously. “I need you to promise.”

“I’m not going to fight you guys on this. If it gets bad, I’ll signal you for extraction.” He winked as he took a bite of his piece of funnel cake. “I’m okay. My head’s in the game.”