AllFreeNovel
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I knelt by Jarom’s wheelchair. “That’s amazing.”
“I couldn’t wait to show my mom. And now, we have our very own store? This is the best Christmas ever!”
I hugged him and went from child to child, friend to friend, chatting with each one. They gushed in their excitement, expressing joy in something so simple as a new cover for their pillows or the toys and books their families had brought.
I paused at the sight of Laura standing beside one of the shelves in a complete stupor. She was completely bald, her skin soft and smooth. She wore a snowman nightgown and Paw Patrol slippers.
“Everything okay, Laura?” I asked.
“These look too pretty to eat,” she said with a frown.
I bent down at her side, resting my hands on my thighs. “Which one are you going to choose?”
Laura’s smooth brow rose. “You mean I can pick one?”
“Of course,” I said with a chuckle. “This is your Christmas store.”
With excitement only a child can show in her shiningeyes, Laura reached carefully for the gift bag tied with a black ribbon.
“I like this one,” she said with awe, cradling it to her chest. “Now, what do I do?”
I crouched at her side, resting a hand on Laura’s shoulder. “You got tokens in your Christmas stocking this morning, right?”
A nod.
“See that good-looking guy behind the register? Go give him one of your tokens, and it’s all yours.”
With a grin as big as diamonds, Laura skipped to Hawk and handed him her bag. Rather than remaining behind the register, Hawk stepped around the counter and knelt beside her, one arm around her shoulders as he answered her questions.
Laura gave him an excited smile and bounced up and down, hugging him before he resumed his place behind the register. He proceeded with the transaction.
The shared glee on every face, the sound of crinkling paper being opened, the shouts of happy surprise and laughter were beyond satisfying. This was worth every stressful hour of sewing and every hour of missed sleep, to do something to bring a little happiness to these kids.
Too bad Chloe and Brandy couldn’t have seen it, too.
Being part of the children’s joy in any way was a blessing but sharing this with Hawk and the other hospital staff who worked so hard to care for these kids made things even more worthwhile.
Too soon, the phone in my backpocket vibrated. I checked it, only to have the name on the screen douse my elation.
TWENTY-SEVEN
ella
Hawk was surrounded by kids,entertaining them as he made swooping motions with his arms. I wondered what story he was telling.
Other kids were opening their gifts, pulling soft, squishable plush animals from boxes they’d opened.
I didn’t want to answer Stina’s call, but she’d bug me until I did. Might as well get it over with. I stepped into the hall and braced myself.
“Hey, Stina.”
“Howard is rather disappointed his apartments didn’t get the treatment he was hoping for last night.”
No other greeting. Just a jump right into criticism.
“I told you I wasn’t doing it. You should have let him know.”
I anticipated the backlash, for Stina to spout all the horrible reasons she was disappointed in me and pronounce the end of my employment.
