The following story was written because I was tagged by someone I know to write a Christmas Story:
A Bleak Christmas
This is going to be a bleak Christmas for Sally and her son
Johnny. In November, her husband walked out and left her with bills, mortgage,
and loans. He wasn’t much of a contributor when he could pull himself out of a
bottle. After 10 years of marriage, Frank just walked out saying, “I can’t do
this anymore, I’m leaving.” Sally has been trying to get things paid off. With
little money and a healthy dose of pride, she doesn’t want anyone to know how
bad things are.
Sally gets Johnny to school on time, then hurries to work.
She reaches her cubicle, turns on her computer, and waits while it boots up.
Her friend Jo walks by and notices something is wrong with Sally.
“Sal, gal, what’s up?”
“It’s ok, Jo.”
“Yeah, right. Tell me something I will believe, cause I don’t
believe nothing is wrong, Girl.”
“Let’s talk at coffee, Jo.”
“OK, Girl, coffee break you spill the beans.”
Sally turns toward her monitor and begins the tasks for
today. With tears welling in her eyes as she thinks about the bleak Christmas
prospects, and how Johnny is going to feel come Christmas morning, it’s hard
for her to focus on the job.
Jo wanders by, Sally’s cubicle, “Time for coffee, and bean
spilling, Girl.”
“Just a sec, I need to finish this one thing and pull myself
together, then, I’ll be there.”
“Gotcha.”
Sally walks into the break room; Jo is sitting in a corner
and waves to Sally as she enters the room. Sally pours a cup of coffee and sits
opposite Jo. “Ok, spill the beans, Girl. What’s up?”
“You know Frank left me, right?”
“Yes. Good thing too.”
“He left me with a pile of bills, and I haven’t got anything
for Johnny to put under our tree this year.”
“No problem, Sally. I have just what you need.”
“You do?”
“Yes. You remember that Cinnamon had a litter in June. Well,
we still have two puppies. They have had all of their puppy shots, and they are
neutered. I will bring one over for Johnny Christmas Eve after he’s asleep. Just
call me when he is in bed.”
“I can’t let you do that, Jo. They are pedigree and papered.
You could get a lot of money for them.”
“I spoke with the hubby, and we both want to do this. It’s
all set. We won’t take no for an answer. Christmas gift for Johnny is settled.”
Sally’s eyes begin to well up again, “Jo, you have no idea
how much this will mean to Johnny, me too. Thank you!”
“No problem, Girl. Lighten up.”
Feeling a little better, Sally sits back and sips her
coffee. “Don’t tell anyone, Jo. I don’t want anyone to know about our situation.”
“Mums the word. And, remember that if you need a little
help, just call.”
Christmas Eve, Johnny in bed, Sally give Jo a ring. “He’s in
bed, Jo.”
“Be there with a pup. Just wait for me.”
Jo arrives, pup in tow. She taps lightly on the door.
“Here you go, Girl.” Jo turns to leave. “Not so fast, You.
Get in here and have a cup of coffee with me.”
Sitting in the living room, the two long time friend talk
and sip coffee along with some Christmas cookies Sally baked. Seeing the plate
with cookies and milk on the table in the corner for Saint Nick, Jo looks at
Sally, “Johnny is going to be surprised when he sees his new furry friend.”
“He will indeed. How do I thank you for this?”
“Got a camera? Take a picture of him enjoying the new puppy.
I want to see.”
“You and Jim come over for Christmas dinner, and you can see
for yourself.”
“We’ll be here.”
Christmas Day finally arrives; Johnny is ready to see what
Santa brought him. Wanting a pet for some time, he hopes it’s puppy. The squeal
let out by Johnny was probably heard in the next town, as Johnny spots the
puppy with a bow on it, and a card that says, Merry Christmas from Santa. Johnny
runs to his mother, “look, mommy, Santa brought me a puppy!”
Sally thinks to herself, a good Christmas after all, thank
you, Jo! “I see Johnny. You will have to learn how to take care of the
wonderful puppy Santa brought you Johnny. Merry Christmas, Johnny, Merry
Christmas.”