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Small Business Saturday with Bryce

People gathered around the front of the store to watch the two guys in ugly Christmas sweaters performing the Chopsticks dance on the giant floor piano.

“Look, Bryce, we’re a hit.” Chad laughed.

“One less entry on the Bucket List?” Bryce kept dancing.

“Box ticked, mate. Thanks for bringing me here. I’ve got to get some things for the girls and this place is amazing!”

“Alright. Let’s wrap this up and find some things for your kids.”

The shoppers cheered and applauded as Chad and Bryce finished up and took a bow.

“What did you have in mind, Chad?” Bryce asked as he looked around at all the toys and activities that packed the shelves.

“There’s so much to choose from here. It’s a bit mind-boggling.”

“Oh, look Chad. There’s a whole Girl’s World over there. I’ll catch up with you in a second.”

Chad wandered into the enormous display of girl-oriented gifts and searched for something suitable for his lovely daughters.

Bryce showed up after a moment.

“Having any luck?” Bryce asked.

“They’ve got a lot to choose from. I’m trying to settle on just the right thing, yeah? Girls can be a bit picky.”

“Don’t I know it. Shopping for my sisters is like tap dancing in a minefield.”

Chad had a laugh at that. “Where do we go after this?”

“We’re having proper Empire City pizza for lunch. We’ll drop off our stuff at my place and head to Roosevelt Plaza for some ice skating.”

“So I can go home with a broken tailbone.”

“We’ll stuff a cushion in your pants.” Bryce laughed. “Don’t worry. You’ll be fine.”

“If you say so. You’re the tour manager. Ooh, have a look at this!” Chad grabbed a box from the shelf.

“That is, without a doubt, the most enormous Christmas tree I have ever seen.” Chad said as he tied on his skates.

“A seventy-seven foot tree definitely draws attention. We’ll come back after dinner so you can see it all lit up. It’s absolutely phenomenal.”

“I’ll bet.” Chad said as he hoisted himself to his feet. “Oy, that’s really awkward. Don’t wander off. I’m not going home in a cast.”

“You’ll be fine. Look, even tiny little kids are doing it.”

“Yeah, mate. They’re a lot closer to the ground and they’ve got nappies on to cushion the fall.”

“We’ve got this, Chad! Come on, buddy. You can do it.”

Chad followed Bryce onto the rink with the merry holiday crowd. He tottered a few times, but he found his balance and learned the technique. Before long, he was skating like a pro.

“Look at you!” Bryce cheered as he skated past his friend.

“Bryce!”

“What, buddy?”

“There are quite a few ladies here.”

“Yes, there certainly are.”

“You could invite one of them to Dilyn’s party.”

“I don’t know.” Bryce looked around nervously.

“What are you afraid of? You’re a catch and who doesn’t like a Christmas party?”

“Well, who?”

“Any of them, Bryce.” Chad closed his eyes and pointed in a random direction. “Her!”

Bryce looked over to see who Chad was pointing at. The woman was easily old enough to be his mother. “Try again.”

Chad looked over and saw what Bryce was referring to. “I don’t know. Maybe she’s a cougar.”

Bryce rolled his eyes. “No, thanks. Try again.”

“Well, how about her? She’s festive.” Chad pointed to a younger woman. “Real spirit of Christmas, that one.”

“Chad, she’s got green hair. She looks like a Christmas tree.”

“I had no idea you were so conventional. You used to like the wild ones.”

“I’ve mellowed a bit since college, Chad. I’m looking for someone to share special moments with.”

“Oh, right. I’ll adjust my sites. You used to just want to rut like a crazed weasel.”

“Alright, alright. Yes, I sowed my wild oats back in the day. I’ve moved on to the kinder, gentler version of Bryce.”

“Challenge accepted, mate. Kinder and gentler coming right up.” Chad skated on ahead to get a closer look at the lady skaters.

“Be careful, Chad. You’re not Brian Boitano!”

Chad sailed across the ice without a care. When he came around behind Bryce he had his phone out. “Hey, the Twentieth Century called. They want their random skating reference back.” Chad said as he skated past.

“Nobody likes a wiseguy!” He saw Chad talking with a lady with a long blond ponytail. She peeled off and skated back to where Bryce was in the crowd.

“Hi.” Bryce said cheerfully.

“Hi. Your friend said you needed to ask me something.”

“Oh, yes. I was wondering if you were free tomorrow to come to a Christmas party at my friend’s place.”

“Oh no. If it was any day but tomorrow, I’d totally be there. I love Christmas parties. Thank you for asking, though.”

“Yes, certainly. Say, I’m Bryce. It’s so nice to meet you.”

“Oh, hi. I’m Lynna.”

“Can I get your number? I’ve got a couple of other parties that I’ve been invited to.”

“That sounds like fun. My husband and I need to get out more. Give me your phone and I’ll put our number in.”

Bryce scowled at his friend as she typed her number into his phone. Chad shrugged in confusion. Bryce pointed to his left ring finger. Chad laughed and tugged at his glove.

“Well, thanks. I hope we can make it to one of your parties.” Lynna said as she skated away.

Chad skated all the way around and back to his friend. “Alright, you have to admit she was closer to your taste. Yeah?”

“I can’t fault you for that one. It’s practically impossible to tell who’s actually unaccompanied out here.”

“You’re giving up that easy?”

“I think I should quit while I’m ahead here, Chad. Besides, there will be girls at the party. I don’t have to worry about being stood up if they’re already there.”

“That’s a very positive spin on a very negative attitude. Well done, Bryce. You’re the master of the zero sum cop out.”