Silent Night

DING ding DING ding DING ding. The Salvation Army bell ringer swings his brass bell.
Angela darts past, weaving through the shoppers toward her Chevy Malibu in the parking lot.
Flash of badge.
"You'll have to show me the receipt for that, ma'am."
Shit. DING ding DING ding.
Angela crinkles something the pocket of her down jacket. DING ding DING ding. She balls up the Christmas list.
The security guard takes the shopping bag, reaches in. Bratz Rock Angelz. Yu-gi-O Pegasus. DING ding. His hand gropes every present. English Leather. Beyblade. He pulls out a book, squints. Rich Dad Poor Dad. DING ding DING ding.
"Lady, you're in a heap of trouble." ding DING ding. He flips the book back into the bag.
Angela stares at the dirty snow. DING ding DING.
He grabs her arm. DING ding. Such a cold night.
He hustles her past the bell ringer, toward the automatic doors, opening and closing. A bright hungry mouth.
DING. She bumps into the bell ringer.
Sorry. All three of them say the word together.
The clanging stops. For a moment, it is quiet outside Wal-Mart.