18
I watched Damien move across the room for a few moments as I tried to figure out what was bothering me. He swaggered. He flirted. He acted like he was the reason for the party, and I cringed. I hated show-offs. I really hated show-offs who didn’t really have any reason to show off. And I really, really hated show-offs who got their attention on the backs of other people’s suffering. I decided then and there that Damien would finish out this season as Santa but that I wouldn’t be inviting him back again. He had seemed a nice enough guy, but clearly, a taste of fame had gone to his head.
I shook off the icky feeling his behavior gave me and made my way over to Mr. Green, who smiled, hugged me, and thanked me – thanked ME – for this opportunity. As if I didn’t already love him enough. I
