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“Maye, where is your Christmas optimism? Follow me.”

Tracy led Maye to the edge of the park, where they joined a short line.

“Hi ladies!” a voice said as they moved up to a table stacked with blankets. “Help yourself to a cozy Christmas-movie-watching blanket, courtesy of Turnkey Real Estate. I’m Jannie Turnkey. If you’re looking to buy or sell property, I’m your gal. Number’s on the blanket. Enjoy the show, ladies.”

“This is a really nice blanket,” Maye whispered as she and Tracy shuffled to the next table.

“What do we have here?” Tracy said as they approached an arrangement of baskets of all shapes and sizes, each stuffed with goodies and decorated festively with ribbon.

“Step right up,” the man behind the table announced. He leaned in and lowered his voice, “I love saying that. I’m Todd Samsonite, and I am here representing the Friends of the Park committee.”

“Oh, I know who you are, Todd,” Tracy said.

Todd looked flattered.

“I get your newsletter, sorry if that sounded creepy,” she quickly added.

“Oh, so you may already know that we’ve put together these baskets with snacks and fun movie-watching games that were donated by the generous businesses around town and members of our committee to raise money for our park. Any of these could be yours, depending on your donation level.”

“What do I have to donate to get this one?” Tracy pointed at a basket with the card game Christmas Movie Magic in it.

“Ah! Excellent choice. A fellow card game enthusiast?” Todd said as he grabbed the basket.

“I dabble,” Tracy said.

“You do not,” Maye whispered.

Tracy shushed Maye as she reached for her purse. “So, is fifty dollars a good donation for that basket?”

“More than fair,” Todd smiled as he handed her the basket. “Thank you for your contribution. And, um, would you like a donation receipt for tax purposes? I could maybe put my phone number on it? You know, in case you have any questions or would like to get in touch with me?”

“Sure, I’d love a tax receipt,” Tracy said.

“Now I know you absolutely would not,” Maybe mumbled.

As Tracy and Maye moved to the third and final table, Maye bumped Tracy’s shoulder. “Crush much?”

“What?” Tracy sounded defensive. “I just wanted that basket.”

“Sure you did.” Maye teased.

They approached a table with a sign that read “Popcorn Toppings Bar.” Jars lined the table filled with M&M’s, Sour Patch Kids, Nerds Gummy Clusters, Buncha Crunch, Whoppers, Raisinettes, Snowcaps, Junior Mints, KitKat Minis, and Reece’s Pieces. There were nearly a dozen flavor seasonings, too.

“Watch this,” Tracy said to Maye, and leaned in towards the woman behind the table. “How is the halibut tonight?”

“It’s delightful,” the woman responded, and then winked before she dipped behind the toppings bar to pull out a custom holiday-themed popcorn bucket.

Tracy nodded. “To the brim,” she said as the woman began filling her popcorn bucket.

“What is that?” Maye asked.

“I read in the newsletter that if you ask about the halibut, then you get a custom popcorn bucket.”

After they had properly topped their popcorn, Maye and Tracy found a spot on the grass and unfolded their blanket. A giant Jannie Turnkey face stared up at them from the lawn.

“Should we flip it?” Maye said.

“Yeah, let’s try the flip side,” Tracy agreed.