Some links may be affiliate links. We get money if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these links on our site.

Christmas All The Time is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Peppermint Hot Chocolate And A Cookie?

The jazzy Christmas music made the wait more bearable. Ian wasn’t in a hurry, exactly. He just wanted a cup of hot chocolate to cheer him up for the long day ahead.

“What would you like today?” The harried barista’s eyes darted from Ian to the endless queue of people stacked up behind him.

“Just a hot chocolate, please.”

“Plain or peppermint?” She tapped a pen on the corner of her mouth.

“Good question. Which do you prefer?”

“I think the peppermint makes it more Christmasy if you’re in the mood for that.”

“I need a little Christmas now. Let’s go with peppermint hot chocolate and one of those tree cookies.”

“Sure thing.” She said with a smile. “Dustin will ring you up.”

Ian slid down to the cashier to wait. He itched his cheek as a reminder to shave when he got home. He rarely let his face get too scruffy, but he’d be out hanging lights today. Anything to cut down on possible windburn was a precaution well worth taking.

“Peppermint hot chocolate and a cookie?”

“That’s me.” Ian handed him a twenty.

Dustin handed him back his change. “Would you like a bag?”

“No, thanks. I’ll just eat that here.”

“Have a nice day.” Dustin had an endearing smile, but the poor kid’s face was a disaster.

Ian remembered those days, and he didn’t miss them. He had grownup problems now.

Spotting an open seat, he made a beeline for it. Fortunately, it was still unclaimed when he arrived.

Ian settled in to enjoy his morning treat, comforted by the fact that it wouldn’t make him break out.

Today, he had three jobs to take care of. He had two quick stops in town and a bigger deal that would take him the entire afternoon.

Even so, he could spare a moment to savor his hot chocolate and let the buttery Christmas cookie melt in his mouth.

He’d stop at Steve and Nancy’s for supper and watch the kids while they went shopping.

Then he’d go home. Alone. What was it all for if he didn’t have anyone to share it with?

“You’ve been watching too many sappy commercials.” Ian said to himself.

“Excuse me?”

He spun around to find a pair of women working their way toward the trash can.

“Sorry?”

“What do you mean, I’ve been watching too many sappy commercials?” The redhead demanded.

“Huh? Oh, sorry. I was talking to myself.”

“Do you do that a lot?” The blonde asked.

“Not sure, actually.” Ian shrugged. “I didn’t realize I was talking aloud.”

The blonde shot a look at the redhead and pushed through to the trash can.

‘Weird.’ Ian thought, forcing himself not to make the same mistake again.

He waited until they’d left to resume snacking. No point in giving them something else to judge him about.

Before long, he was on his way back to his Blazer with the remnants of his hot chocolate to keep him warm.

The first job of the day was simple enough. Mrs. Benda had a standing annual order to put her decorations up and set the lights on a timer. She was getting on in years and didn’t want to risk tumbling off of her ladder.

Since she had been his Third Grade teacher and always sent him on his way with a batch of cookies and the latest neighborhood gossip, he only charged her $50. Ian would prefer not to charge her anything, but she insisted on paying him for his time.

The second job was down the block from Mrs. Benda’s place. They had asked her for his number after he set her up last year. Word of mouth is a great way to gin up business. Having two houses on the same block was almost as good as renting a billboard.

The Humphreys were a busy couple with young kids. They had some jolly inflatables in addition to their lights. Like Mrs. Benda, they wanted their lights on a timer so they wouldn’t keep the children awake.

Two down and one to go.

Ian drove through Burger Heaven on his way to the Lillywhite job.

“Good thing you’re having dinner at Steve’s.” Ian said as he pulled onto the shoulder of the highway overlooking Wyoming Pass. The Susquehanna River snaked through the sleepy communities in the valley below. “Cookies for breakfast and greasy burgers for lunch aren’t the basis of a long, healthy life.”

At least there was nobody around to disapprove of him talking to himself this time. He munched his burger and fries happily to the sound of Christmas music and a spectacular view in the region. He was crinkling his wrappers and bag into a ball when the State policeman pulled in behind him.

“Hey, Ian. On your lunch break?” The trooper asked.

“Hey, Bert. Yeah, I really love the view up here.”

“Any plans for the weekend?”

“Got a couple of light jobs to keep me busy and I’m babysitting tonight.”

“Babysitting?” Bert laughed. “Sounds like a wonderful life. Give Steve and Nancy my best.”

“Sure will, Bert. Say hi to your parents for me. How are they liking Fort Lauderdale?”

“Dad didn’t think he’d like it down there but they’re having a great time.”

“Glad to hear it. Hey, I’m going to get on my way. Don’t want Mrs. Lillywhite to have kittens.”

Bert patted on his roof and waved as he returned to his patrol vehicle.

Ian moved along and got busy with his third job of the day. Mrs. Lillywhite had been apprehensive about his late arrival, but Ian had already planned every element of the job.

He knew what he had to do, and he was done well before sunset. Ian walked Mrs. Lillywhite through the details of the lighting to ensure satisfaction.

He didn’t overcharge for any of his jobs, but the Lillywhite setup was going to give him some extra funds to help him spoil his niece and nephew. She did not disappoint.