I was still thinking about my first s****l experience on December twenty-fourth, the longest workday on my calendar. It was no different this year, because even though there were way fewer packages to deliver due to the fact it was Sunday, with only two of us driving, my route was ten times bigger. I drove all the way back to the depot partway through the day most Christmas Eves, to make sure the video game some father ordered, paying extra for two-day shipping that would have taken three, could bask in the thrill of giving it on the right date.
Fourteen-hour days were not unusual the entire week of Christmas, as I also spent a ton of extra time with my regulars, who wanted to play Santa for me. Gift cards to Dunkin Donuts, cash, sweets, alcohol—the offerings varied. The giving had culmin
