Page 41 of Wed to Krampus
“It was terrible, but it was all for the best in the end.” I looked up at Krampus. He was standing next to me, and he was so awkward that I just wanted to give him a hug. I wrapped my arm around his biceps instead and pulled him closer. “This is my husband, Krampus.”
Katrina looked up at him, her eyes as wide as saucers. For a second, she didn’t know what to say, then she remembered her manners, smiled and waved.
“Hello, sir. Pleased to meet you.”
Shocked, Krampus returned the pleasantry, then said, “You have quality yarn here. These colors are beautiful.”
“Thank you. Feel free to choose what you like.”
Krampus and I chose a few spools, and Katrina packed them up for us. As he paid, I couldn’t help but feel proud of him. He was much more relaxed and even made small talk. We thanked Katrina, then moved on to check out the stalls that sold Christmas decorations. Soon enough, more and more people were willing to make small talk with Krampus, and he participated with enthusiasm. He even talked about the weather with an old man who was selling miniature Christmas trees made from wood and paper.
“No one has ever talked about the weather with me,” Krampus told me later, when we were getting mulled wine.
I laughed. “You know so much about snowstorms that I’m sure a lot more people will come to you with questions.” It was true. Krampus had taught the man what signs to look for that announced an impending storm. “Oh, let’s get gingerbread cookies!”
He paid for the mulled wine and my snacks, and we spent another hour looking at what people had to sell. We ran into a few of my old clients, and they asked me if I was still knitting.
“Yes! I can’t imagine not knitting.”
“Will you have anything for sale soon?”
I bit the inside of my lip and looked up at Krampus. At first, he didn’t know what I wanted from him. I wasn’t sure what I wanted. Permission? I hadn’t thought about selling my knitted items at the market now that I was married and living pretty far from town.
“Aura is preparing a new collection,” Krampus said, taking me by surprise.
“Yes. When it’s ready, I’ll reclaim my old stall at the market, for sure,” I said. Speaking of which, I’d noticed that the stall I usually rented was unoccupied.
The lady who’d asked smiled brightly and went on her way.
“Won’t you mind bringing me into town every month to sell my stuff?” I asked Krampus.
We were making our way to the exit.
“Not at all. I like the market. You were right! This is much better than the store I used to go to. Maybe I can sell some of the things I make. What do you think?”
I laughed. “I think it’s a brilliant idea, don’t get me wrong, but you’d have to take size into consideration.”
“You’re right. But that’s good news. Smaller clothes, decorations, and pieces of furniture means less material used.”
“And that’s how a businessperson thinks!”
“Or a business monster,” he chuckled.
Right before we exited the market, a stall caught my eye.
“Wait. I need to get one more thing,” I said.
Krampus followed me. When we stopped in front of the stall, I could sense his surprise. Everything that was on display was for... babies. A ridiculous array of toys, and the smallest, most adorable clothes. I touched some of the clothes, but I wasn’t sure whether I should pick pink or blue.
“Aura?” he asked me reluctantly.
I picked a stuffed teddy bear and a brightly colored set of wood blocks. “What do you think? Which one is better for a super small baby? Or we can buy both.”
“But... why?”
I laughed. “Oh, don’t get ahead of yourself. I just thought we could visit my friend, Mina, since we’re in town, anyway. Her baby is due any time now, and I really want to see her and make sure she’s doing okay.”
“Visit your friend?”