#AllIWantForChristmas by Yesenia Vargas

Author:Yesenia Vargas [Vargas, Yesenia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Yesenia Vargas

Eleven

Harper

Ella and I crunched the numbers one more time, but no matter how many times we did, my disappointment only grew and grew.

Our shopping cart contained an afghan for Melissa’s parents to share, a couple of remote-controlled fun-looking monster trucks for her brothers, and a curling iron and other hair accessories for Melissa. She had asked me one time how I always did my hair so perfectly, so I thought maybe I could teach her sometime.

Except we didn’t have nearly enough money to buy everything we’d picked out, much less the groceries I’d been hoping to get too. Everything the four of us had scrounged together hadn’t added up to much.

I sighed among the crowds of busy shoppers. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it feels hopeless,” I said. “I really thought we’d be able to do more, but at this rate, we’ll be able to get her brothers something and that’s it.”

Ella gave me a small smile. “Melissa and her parents will be thrilled either way. It’s the thought that counts, Harp. I’m really glad we ended up doing this, even if we can only provide them with a couple of small gifts.”

“I know,” I said, still disappointed. “It’s just that they deserve so much better. They’re such a nice family. Her dad helped us fix the kitchen sink a couple months ago and he wouldn’t take any payment. I just wish we could do something nice for them.”

“But you are,” Ella insisted. “You totally are. Those boys are going to love these monster trucks.”

“You’re right,” I said, even though I was feeling totally deflated.

I wished we could do more.

We got in line, and I took out the other items to take back while Ella waited at the front of the store with our cart. “I’ll be right back,” I said.

She nodded and inched forward. It was clear we were going to be here a while.

I took my time locating the aisle the thick and warm afghan belonged. The red and brown and tan colors had caught my eye, and I thought it would be perfect for Melissa’s parents on a cool night.

Maneuvering around several people rushing to and fro, I spotted the place where I’d found the afghan earlier. Before I could reach it, though, I noticed an older lady standing in front of a display of large-screen TVs. There was a Hallmark Christmas movie playing, and it was obviously about to end because an entire family sat around a Christmas tree, decorated with lights and colorful spheres, and surrounded with wrapped gifts.

What she was staring at, though, wasn’t the gifts but the happy kids itching to open their presents, their parents sitting together and smiling. Obviously, they were the happiest family in the world. All was well.

But this lady wiped at her eyes, and I wondered if she was okay. Maybe she wasn’t feeling well. I looked around, but she seemed to be alone, a shopping cart with some toiletries nearby. If I had to guess,

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