"Outlet"

A small trickle of sweat starts to pool in the palm of his hand as he grasps the end of the forest green extension cord. Holding his breath as if he were free diving into the depths of the sea, every muscle in his jaw clenched tightly like a tiger’s around its prized prey kill. Wiping the palm of his right hand on the side of his work overalls, he inhales, sucking the scent of pine and fire trees in through the sliver of space between his front teeth, and he steps lightly on the packed snow. He flips up the metal flap and plugs the three pronged cord into the outlet to the left of the porch, steps back, feeling the frost on the tips of his nose, both from the cold and the candy peppermint dissolving in his mouth. Crunch - the santas start dancing and singing their holiday song, swaying their hips like hula girls; the reindeer gallop across the roof, and…