By Janeal Mulaney
Little Johnny sat at his desk, with pen in hand. The letter he had been writing to Santa had started out well enough, but then he had stopped, while thinking about the little girl that had been in his class for the last three years. Eight weeks ago, her parents had lost their home, after they had lost their jobs the summer before. The old car plant where they both had been employed; had burned down, and instead of rebuilding, the owners of the company had decided to lock the doors. Her parents had found other jobs, and even coexisted for a few months, but their debts were far larger then the money they were bringing home now. Johnny could still visualize the yard sales and the auction that had ended all hope of them keeping their home.
Johnny no longer saw the girl at school for she had quit coming soon after the auction. He hadn’t really paid much attention to her when she had went, until he’d seen her the day of the auction, where she sat in the corner pretending to read her book. He had watched her then, as the tears streamed down her face. The little girl had been at school the next day, even the day after that. In fact she attended for two more weeks, but no longer were her clothes ironed and her hair clean and shining. Her hair was now dull and tangled; her clothes were wrinkled. The girls that had been her friends once, now stayed to themselves whispering, and giggling with sly secret smiles that passed her way.
Johnny’s pen touched the paper once again; he finished one page then began another. He ended the letter to Santa, folded it and placed it gently in the envelope that his mother had given him for his special letter. After getting ready for bed and bushing his teeth, he took his letter and placed it on the mantel for his mom to mail the next day. Johnny kissed his mom and dad goodnight then went to say his nightly prayer. He added one thing after God bless my mom and dad and me. The words slipping through his lips before he even realized what he’d said. “And Lord please be with the Andersons and bless their family where ever they may be. Amen.”
As he finished his prayers, his parents were in the living room opening up the letter to see what their little boy would cherish most this Christmas season. The letter started off like every year before.
Dear Santa,
What I want the most this year is a Play station. After reading the next sentence his parents eyed the paper in shock. Santa, please forget about the Play station. I changed my mind, and instead would like to talk to you about a family that needs a whole lot more. His parents looked up at each other, and then once more continued to read. I’ll gladly give up all my toys if you can manage some extra chores. There is this little girl her name is Chelsea Anderson. Chelsea once went to school with me. Only she can’t anymore, her family lost their home. Now we don’t see her like before. I know her family is homeless and they can’t afford a car, or even an address for you to take her presents to. So instead of giving toys to me, just let Chelsea’s parents find a home this Christmas Eve.
This short story will continue next week, I hope you have enjoyed the first part. Sincerely Janeal
