The 37 Days of Gusmas Title: Trumped Author: wavingcat5 Prompt: Christmas is for children Notes: 2 drabbles
Brian didn’t know if Gus liked him, or just liked being higher up than all the other babies. At any rate, as long as Brian kept on with the jiggle and sway, Gus seemed happy.
Brian wasn’t. His arms ached. He was tired of the queue, of kids whining in strollers, and of being mentally undressed by their mothers.
Lindsay had trumped him with the deadbeat dad card again. Now Brian was stuck waiting for Baby’s First Ever Photo with Santa.
At last it was their turn. But as Santa reached for him, the corners of Gus’s mouth turned down.
Gus cried when Santa looked at him, let alone touched him. It was in stages. First a squeak, then all-out bawling.
‘Perhaps you’d like to come back later?’ offered the photographer.
‘No...no.’ Brian had had enough of this. He rubbed his forehead with exasperation and the beginnings of a headache.
* * *
‘Oh well’ sighed Lindsay. ‘Some children just won’t smile for Santa no matter what you do.’
Lindsay put the photo on the mantelpiece where all who visited would see it. Inside the red frame was a laughing baby, held by a glowering Brian, who sat on Santa’s knee.