38. Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Eddie had been right. The arrival of the girls coming into the room resembled a stampede. Jane only got them to settle down by threatening to take away the presents. Jacquelyn had the sense they all knew she’d never do it, but they weren’t taking any chances. “We must be on our best behavior when guests are here,” she said, introducing the four of them.
After they were seated cross-legged on the floor, Jacquelyn turned to Jane. “I’d like to hand out the gifts, if I may?”
“Of course.”
One by one, she called out their names and they came up to claim their gifts. Jacquelyn said, “Don’t open them until everyone has a present.” Handing out fifty-two gifts took less time than she’d have thought. The girls were remarkably quick to claim their presents. When there was nothing more under the tree, she said, “Now you may open them up. ”
The older girls helped the younger ones with the string. The room filled with the sound of crinkling paper and the cries of the girls when they saw what they’d received.
“A doll! I’ve always wanted a doll.”
“I got one too. Look at mine!”
“Oh, so pretty!”
“I love it.”
Frances sighed and hugged her doll. “Christmas is the best time of the year.”
Mary opened her box and immediately pulled on her gloves. “They fit perfectly. I feel like a high society lady.” She looked toward the Sheridans. “Thank you so much.”
Not one child acted disappointed, something that surprised Jacquelyn, who found her eyes inexplicably welling up with tears. She would have thought at least one girl would find another girl’s gift to be preferable, but that wasn’t the case at all. The room was full of gratitude and joy. When the girls quieted down, Jacquelyn called out, “I have another surprise for all of you.”
“Another one?” Ruth said. “Oh boy!”
Jacquelyn said, “I think you’ll like this one, Ruth. All of you will be getting pillows for your beds.”
The room erupted in cheers. This time Jane didn’t even try to quiet them.
“And,” Jacquelyn continued over the din, “Miss Howard and Miss Shaw, who both work very hard to take care of all of you, will be getting raises.” She nodded in their direction. “And you’ll be able to access your own money for whatever you want or need.”
As both Jane and Mary said their thanks, David leaned in toward her and whispered, “I don’t recall the foundation approving these added expenditures.”
“Oh, please. I think we both know who has the last word in these matters.”
David threw back his head and laughed. “Now that’s my sister. For a moment there, I thought I’d lost you.”
“I’m not lost. I’m right here.” She realized then that so much of her life had been spent in a state of discontent. She’d been busy casting about, flitting from one event to another, looking for something but never quite finding it. Who would have thought that on Christmas Day, in the dining room of the Sheridan Girls’ Home, she would find herself right where she needed to be?