Parade Banter: A Christmas Romance Read online

  “Perfect,” said the photographer.

  *****

  The broadcast booth for the parade was on a platform erected a few yards from the start line. Two matching rolling chairs were pushed up to the microphone, two separate earpieces ready for the hosting duo. They would switch periodically to Dizzy Dan, the evening weatherman whose nickname was derived from his city days in above-ground traffic reporting.

  Rae plopped down in her seat and adjusted the piece in her ear. She avoided looking at her co-host on the right, who flipped open his script casually.

  He cleared his throat. “So, you want to trade a little banter before this thing starts?”

  “About what?” she asked. “What a diva I am? Or maybe about that irresistible charm you possess.” The look she shot him was enough to silence any further conversation.

  The cameraman adjusted his angle as the director gave them the signal: five minutes to air. The faint sound of the high school band drifted from a distance. Hands trembling, Rae closed her eyes and imagined her confidence back in place. Be enthusiastic, be smiling.

  She turned towards Simon one last time. His brooding stare was directed at the street below until he felt her gaze.

  “Don’t mess this up for me,” she pleaded.

  He looked into her eyes and nodded. “Sure thing.” Like a switch flicking to “on”, the director gave them the signal.

  “Good evening and welcome to Silver Star’s forty-second annual Christmas parade! I’m your host tonight, Rae Randall from Morning Star’s favorite morning radio show...”

  “And I’m your other host for the evening. Simon Harte, from KTRP’s Early Bird morning lineup.” Simon’s smile was perfectly polished for this on-camera experience, something which never ceased to amaze Rae.

  “First up, is The Shoe, courtesy of the Silver Star middle school art class,” Rae began, keeping her eyes trained on the camera. “Looks like they’ve done a beautiful job this year, Simon.” With a big smile for her partner’s benefit as she turned towards him.

  “Absolutely. And as if that’s not enough, some of the students are riding aboard in costume. I see more children than the Old Woman aboard knows what to do with, Rae.”

  “The Old Woman aboard the float is no other than Mrs. Angela Fisher, the class’s art teacher,” Rae trilled in response. “This is her third year to appear in the Silver Star parade aboard her class’s float. Looks like another triumph for Silver Star’s always-spectacular middle school art program.”

  They kept it up for the high school football team’s appearance, the space rocket float, and the Humpty Dumpty who marched with Mother Goose and friends. Rae felt her smile growing thin. Every time she turned towards Simon, he flashed her a grin more insincere than the last one. She felt mocked by his attitude, fueling her irritation.

  “Up next, we have the Veteran’s Hall tribute to military pride–an eagle constructed from recycled paper courtesy of the local business paper drive.” Simon’s voice held a note of suppressed emotion as he rolled out the script without missing a beat.

  “What a beautiful float design,” Rae said, aware of a slight tremor in her tone. “Do I detect the handiwork of the Silver Star art colony?”

  “You sure do, Rae. Along with volunteers from local veterans’ groups and the local military recruitment office.” He turned from Rae to the camera. “And with that, folks, it’s time for a quick commercial break. Don’t go away–we’ll be right back.”

  The moment they were off-air, Rae slumped in her seat, biting her thumbnail. Over half an hour to go. Could she make it that long? She checked her watch, calculating the exact minutes left of pretending to like Simon.

  “I’m trying to be nice,” Simon interrupted her thoughts. “You don’t have to make it seem like we’re locked in a cage together.”

  “That’s what we are, aren’t we?” she said. “A tiny little booth with only two big scripts to occupy our minds. I’m pretty sure they won’t let us out until seven.”

  Simon rolled his eyes. “This, from a woman who claims she’s not a diva, but can’t endure more than thirty minutes without thinking about herself.”

  Rae spun her chair to face him. “Since you specialize in self-absorption, I guess you’re qualified to recognize the signs.” She slammed her script shut. “It’s nice to know that no matter how far you go in life, you just can’t erase the past.”

  “Even now, you can’t let go of what happened between us,” Simon argued. “Is it just because of the career, Rae? Or is it something else?”

  He leaned closer to her, emphasizing each word. “I think you were glad to see me go. Glad you didn’t have to shove me out first.” His words dared her to make something of them and before she realized what she was doing, she took the bait.

  The director gave the “one minute” signal, but Rae didn’t care.

  “Just who shoved whom, buddy?” she snarled. “I’m pretty sure the one who walked out the door was you. At least I was the one everyone talked about at the station when you broke our contract and didn’t show up for work that day.”

  “I didn’t show up because I didn’t think you wanted me there!” His voice rose with anger. “You didn’t leave me a choice, Rae.”

  Her mouth was agape with shock as she fumbled for a reply. The director hissed at them as he gave the signal for commercial’s end.

  Rae’s face was still burning with rage as she forced herself to smile. “And we’re back for the second half of the annual Silver Star Christmas Parade. Next up is the Barnum High Marching Band.”

  “What do you say we go to Dizzy Dan for an on-the-spot report this time?” suggested Simon. It was fifteen minutes early, but the director took the hint. A split second later, Dan’s surprised face appeared for viewing audiences.

  Rae yanked her earpiece out and tossed it on the desk. “I guess this time I won’t have to give you the signal, will I?” She turned and marched down the platform’s steps before he could say anything.

  She heard his footsteps pounding down the stairs behind her as she picked up the pace.

  “Where are you going?” he demanded.

  “I’m taking a break. Kind of like you did when you quit the station,” she answered. Marching past a handful of watchers gathered at the base of the platform, she made her way towards the parking lot.

  Simon’s powerful grip wrapped itself around her arm. “Don’t even think about walking out on this, Rae.”

  “Who are you to tell me what to do?” Fighting back angry tears, she struggled to pull away from him as he steered her through the crowd, into a concessions tent nearby.

  “Stop trying to run away from me,” he ordered.

  Rae pulled away from his arm and moved to the other side of the table, keeping a steaming vat of hot chocolate between them. “Wouldn’t you prefer to have the parade all to yourself? No competition between partners, since I know how much you hate it.”

  He moved around the table, closing the distance between them. “I don’t hate competition, Rae. I hated being your competitor. I hated the way you kept that distance between us the whole time we were partners.”

  “Did it ever occur to you I kept that distance to protect myself?” she asked. “After all, you were constantly changing the show and arguing about our work. Maybe it was for the best that I kept you at bay, since it turns out I was just another rung on your ladder to success.” Try as she might, she couldn’t help the tears that gathered in her eyes.

  “I never wanted to leave the radio show,” he said. “I only left it because of how I felt...because of how you didn’t feel.” He avoided her eyes, staring at the tent floor instead.

  “I wish you would stop talking about my feelings,” she retorted, her face growing warm again. “I think this little problem was all yours, Simon.”

  “I know,” he shot back. “Do you have to keep reminding me that I was stupid enough to be in love with you?”

  His response left her breathless. Eyes widening, she stared
at him in disbelief.

  “You weren’t in love with me,” she answered, helplessly. “All that sniping...”

  “You and I both know the reasons behind that tension,” he interrupted. “The reasons we pretended every little spat was about the show was to cover up for the moments that weren’t about the show.”

  His eyes met hers, his dark glance smoldering as he drew closer. “If you had ever given me an opening to tell you how I felt, I would have stayed,” he whispered. “But I couldn’t go on with things the way they were. I know you didn’t feel it in return–”

  “That’s not true.” She couldn’t fight the tears any longer. “I just didn’t want to be the only one who felt it.” She reached across and touched his face.

  “That makes two of us,” he murmured, wrapping his arms around her. As their lips met, she slid her arms around his neck, pulling him against her so no more space remained between them.

  *****

  “And we’re back, folks.” Rae’s voice held a cheery sound that she wasn’t faking this time. “Thanks again to Dizzy Dan for those amazing reports from the crowd.”

  “What’s in store for us next, Rae?” Simon glanced at her, a teasing question in his eyes.

  She grinned. “Well, it looks like we’re just in time for Christmas. Because unless I’m mistaken, that’s Santa and his reindeer Up on the Rooftop.”

  “It certainly is,” he answered, with a subtle wink for her benefit. “I guess all we’re missing now is a little snow on the ground–and a little mistletoe.”

  Despite the presence of the camera, Rae couldn’t help but let her cheeks flush. “I’m sure next year, they’ll be sure to include those extras in the parade,” she quipped. “Until then, folks, Merry Christmas from all of us at the Silver Star Christmas Parade!”

  *****

  Simon held Rae’s hand tightly in his own as they paused beneath the warm glow of a lamppost near the parking lot. Not a sign of a decorated float or costume character remained, with most of the crowd slowly drifting towards their cars or the city lights below the gym.

  “Was it everything you thought it would be?” Rae asked. “I mean, I know you dreamed of this night for years.”

  “Absolutely,” he answered, kissing the tip of her nose. “I was pretty sure that winning you over would be a worthwhile experience.”

  She smacked his shoulder playfully. “Not us, Simon. I meant the parade.” As he released her hand and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

  “I’m just glad it gave us a chance to undo the past,” he said softly. “Otherwise, I might’ve gone through life knowing Rae Randall thought I was a career-driven scumbag.”

  “And I might’ve gone through life knowing Simon Harte thought I was jealous of his career,” she replied. “At least we don’t have that on our conscience anymore.”

  White flakes brushed against her cheek and hat as she spoke. Pulling off her glove, she extended her fingers as a fine white powder swirled around them. “It’s snowing,” she said through a breath.

  Simon grinned as he brushed a few flakes from her hair. “Right on time.” Glancing up at the lamppost above them, he gestured towards a cluster of green just above their heads, tied on with a red ribbon.

  “What do you say?” he asked. “Should we take advantage of this opportunity? Nothing so perfect ever comes along twice, you know.”

  “I know,” she whispered back. “That’s why the answer is yes.” Without any hesitation, she sealed the deal with a perfect kiss.