The Christmas Sweater(Marla) Laura brought her two carefully chosen gifts to the counter. She adored the gift shop, especially during the Christmas season. She had shopped there many times, and so it was no surprise when she recognized the cashier, Paula.

Paula was wearing a sweater that appeared to be a few decades old. It had a Christmas tree printed on it. Beneath the tree were two kittens which had obviously been done with an iron-on transfer. Felt ornaments and tinsel finished it off, and the overall result was comically awful.

Laura glanced to her right and saw another employee on the other side of the store. She couldn’t see the front of the woman’s sweater, but even from the back Laura could see that it was festive. Confidently, she smiled and said, “So, it’s Ugly Sweater Day?”

Paula’s hand stopped. The item that she had just scanned gave the usual ‘beep’ sound, and very suddenly the atmosphere went from friendly and fun to very quiet and distinctly awkward. There were a few moments of near quiet, with only the sound of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" in the background.

“Excuse me?” said Paula. Her eyes, usually kind, were larger than normal behind her green-framed glasses.

Laura desperately wanted the lyrics of the song to come true, and that all her troubles, including this unexpected one, to be far away. She stammered, “Oh, umm, I thought, umm, never mind” She gave a quick, tight-lipped smile, hoping that she didn’t look as idiotic as she felt. “Those gifts are just beautiful, aren’t they?” She tried to say it cheerfully, but it came out loud and forced.

Paula grinned as she scanned the next item. “I was just messing with you. Yes, it’s Ugly Sweater Day.”

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