The Christmas Promise (Christmas Hope) by VanLiere Donna

Author:VanLiere, Donna [VanLiere, Donna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published: 2010-06-30T16:00:00+00:00

Dalton, Heddy, Erin, and I dumped out several garbage bags and sorted through the clothing inside. Each winter I found bags of clothing sitting on the porch, but this year there seemed to be more than ever. We threw away the clothing that was too tattered to be usable and made piles of nice, warm clothes we could include in some of the packages we were making. Miriam never offered to help. She sat at the kitchen window, staring at the huge construction Dumpster that was sitting in her driveway.

The doorbell rang at eight thirty. I took huge steps over the piles of clothing and opened the door a crack, smiling when I saw Donovan. “Hola!” I said, un-latching the chain lock.

“Hola!” he said, marching past me.

Carla stood on the porch with her back to the door. “Carla?” I said, stepping outside.

She wiped her face, turning to me. “I’m in a bind tonight, Miss Glory. I’m going to work but don’t have anyone to watch Donovan. I know you have all these people staying with you, but is it okay if he stays over?”

“Sure.” I studied Carla’s face. “Are you all right?”

Carla nodded. “I’m just cold and worried that I wouldn’t have a place for him, you know. I need to run or I’ll be late.” She leaned her head inside the doorway, kissing Donovan. “Be a good boy for Miss Glory. Yes?” He nodded and she walked past me down the steps. I watched her get inside the car and then shut the front door behind me.

“Who’s this?” Miriam asked as I hung Donovan’s coat on the hall tree.

“This,” I said, proudly, “is Donovan, a longtime friend of mine. Isn’t that right?” I held up my hand and he gave me a high five.

Miriam eyed the small suitcase. “Is he staying here?”

“For the night.”

“There isn’t any more room,” she said. “Look at this place. It’s an absolute mess. This rubbish needs to be taken to the street for the rag and bone man, but you’re bringing another person in on top of all of it!”

I jerked straight and felt the curls bounce around on top of my head. “Go to your room, Miriam.” Dalton, Heddy, and Erin pretended to be knee-deep in clothes.

“I am not a child, Gloria!”

“Then stop acting like one.”

Miriam slammed the door to her room and I sighed. There was just no way to bridge the gap between us.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.