CHAPTER 14
BLAKE’S BLACK FRIDAY
The bus ride was dismal. At seven in the morning the only passengers were mall employees, and none of them were thrilled to be going to work on the busiest shopping day of the year. Eddie didn’t say much to me except good morning, and I could tell something was wrong, because he wouldn’t meet my gaze.
When we approached the movie theater, Peppermint greeted us, and as usual, she behaved like she’d downed two pots of coffee in less than an hour.
“Santa! Ginger Snickerdoodle! Are you ready to fulfill holiday fantasies?” She trilled, and I noticed she’d switched out the neon pink wig for an electric blue number.
“Yeah, sure,” grumbled Eddie.
“Can’t wait.”
“The reason I’m meeting you outside the theater is to let you know that from now on you’ll be changi
