CHAPTER FOUR
“Hi. Any luck?” asked Ruth to her husband of nearly fifteen years, John.
“Nothing. You’d think that people would be hiring around the holidays but nothing,” he frowned.
“You’ll find something, John. You always do. I took on an extra shift at the store. It won’t be a lot but it might be enough.”
“How are the kids?” he asked.
“They’re fine, honey. J.J. and Allison are too young to understand. We’ve got food, we’ve got heat, and we’ll make it.”
“You always have such a positive attitude,” he said shaking his head. He pulled his wife in for a hug and kiss, holding her tightly. No matter what, they would do this together.
“Daddy!” yelled the children running towards him.
“Whoa, whoa,” he said holding up his hands. “Who are you?”
“Daddy, it’s us. Allison and J.J.,” said his daughter.
“No. No way. When I left here this morning you were little, tiny babies. How did you grow up so fast.” Their giggles made his heart instantly lighten. He lifted them, tossing them in the air.
“Alright you three. You need to let me fix dinner,” smiled Ruth. “Why don’t you go and cut Mr. Cartwright’s grass. It’s getting long and he can’t do it any longer.”
“Sounds like a great idea,” smiled her husband. “I’ll go change.”
“Can we help?” asked the kids.
“Yes,” nodded Ruth. “Get your outside clothes on and dress warm. Grab the garden gloves and you can pull the weeds for him.”
Her three superheroes left the house and she watched as her husband spoke to Mr. Cartwright. The old man was the one who sold them the trailer they lived in. It wasn’t much but they’d made it home.
John had immediately painted the cabinets, tore up the flooring and put down new carpet. Ruth, handy with a needle, had sewn curtains and pillows, giving it the loved, lived in feel.
It wasn’t much but it was theirs.
While they tended to the yard next door, she made homemade macaroni and cheese, toasting plain white bread in the oven, with butter and garlic powder. It was their version of garlic bread. Simple but tasty.
“We did it, Mama!” yelled J.J.
“I’m so proud of you,” she smiled. “Go wash up. Dinner is ready.”
When the children returned they said the blessing and then dug into the hot food.
“It’s delicious, honey,” said John, smiling at his wife.
“Thank you,” she smiled.
“Daddy? Can we go see Santa Claus tomorrow?” asked Allison.
He looked up, swallowing hard. How do you tell a child that Santa may not come this year? How do you explain that there’s no money for Santa to bring gifts?
“Not tomorrow, Allison,” said her mother. “Tomorrow we’re going to look for the perfect Christmas tree.” John stared at his wife, shaking his head.
“Yeah!” said J.J.
“Are we going to New Orleans?” asked the little girl.
“No, why would we do that when we have the most beautiful trees right in our backyard. We’re going to go for a hike, find the perfect tree and Daddy will cut it down for us.”
“That’s awesome!” said Allison. John smiled at his wife, nodding at her.
“That is definitely awesome. Mommy is awesome.”