Changing Traditions, A Christmas Novella by Rachel Rittenhouse

Author:Rachel Rittenhouse
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: family, christmas, young adult, historical, sisters, diary, christian, traditions

The following day, Bethany found herself walking through the woods. She found that throughout all the bustle going on at home, time to think was rare. Laura returned home later than expected, but she was still long past dinner. Bethany didn’t even get a moment to question her where she had gone because Laura went right to bed. Though Bethany was usually willing to let her sisters alone when they wanted it, tonight she couldn’t help but pester her just a bit.

Laura was quick to retort that she had no intention of discussing Christmas any further and claimed that Bethany already choose what side she was on.

Kicking a mound of snow, Bethany sighed, “I don’t see how she can even see that there are sides. Oh what a Christmas this will be!”

“My Beth kicking snow. Now that is a sight indeed.” Bethany turned at the voice and spotted Jeremy walking towards her, his sleigh parked not far away. “Your momma told me where to find you and she appears as worn out as you look.”

“Oh Jeremy, everything is a mess!” Bethany sat down in the snow, not carrying that it would make her skirt cold and wet.

Jeremy came down next to her, “Tell me about it.”

Not sure if she wanted to divulge into the whole saga, she decided to simplify it. Besides, Jeremy knew most of the story anyway. “Why can’t there be a way to combine Carolyn’s ideas of traditions with Laura’s new ones? And it’s not as if Laura even has ideas, she just wants a change.”

Jeremy took her hand and squeezed it, “I’m sorry, Beth, I’m not sure what to say to make it better.”

“I wish there was a way to get us all to sit down and just talk about everything reasonably. But Laura wants me to be the go-between. I think though that Carolyn would take it better coming straight from her. Oh I hope our Christmas won’t be ruined.”

“It won’t. By Christmas Day, everyone will forget their disagreements and be able to just focus on the happiness of the occasion.”

“Well I hope it happens sooner than that.” Bethany could hardly imagine putting up with Laura’s moodiness until Christmas. They sat in companionable silence for a bit, until Bethany broke the silence. “I was thinking about us too. I’m still unsure, Jeremy. I believe I still care for you as a friend.”

“It’s only been a couple days. Besides, friendship can always grow into something more.”

“But I thought it would be more confirming! I just don’t know what to think…” her voice trailed off causing an uncomfortable silence between them.

“Where is this coming from, Bethany?” Jeremy’s voice sounded far away and from the sound of it, Bethany knew that she hurt him.

“I don’t know. I guess I just wanted to tell you how I was feeling so you don’t begin to get ideas about things that aren’t existing. And…well…Christmastime was always special with Albert and me.”

Jeremy turned and grasped Bethany’s hands, forcing her to make eye contact with him.

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