Once Upon A Christmas Time

By Gail G.

Rating: G

Disclaimer: I do not own the Cartwright characters, except Juliet and Jessica.

Thanks to Marion for her beta-reading and wonderful advice. Also thanks to Sheryl M. for going over the story one last time for me. I appreciate every ones help.

"It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas outside," my Pa said, when he came inside.

I ran over to him and lifted my arms so he would pick me up. He looked down at me, a big smile on his face. "Just a minute, Juliet, give Pa time to take off his coat."

He lifted me up and tickled my tummy till I laughed and laughed. "How long till Christmas, Pa?" Little Joe asked. Joe was sittin’ at the table workin’ on some of his homework that he hadn’t done in school last week.

Pa’s face wrinkled up. "You, young man, will not have to wait for Santa to bring you a switch in your stocking, if you don’t straighten up."

"Awww. . . Pa." Joe whined. I know Joe was whinin’ ‘cuz pa is always tellin’ me that I need to quit whinin’. Yep, that’s ‘zactly what I sound like when I whine.

I grabbed Pa’s neck when he bent to sit down on the settee. "Pa? Why would Santa bring ya a switch?" I asked.

"Well, Julie, if a little girl or boy is too bad throughout the year, rather than getting presents in their stockings they get a switch instead. That way the parent of the bad boy or girl can give them a good spanking." Pa grinned while he was tellin’ me about the switch.

I thought real hard for a second. "But, Pa, you don’t wait till Santa comes to spank us. You do it right when we are bad."

Pa laughed out loud and he hugged me real tight. I like when Pa does that, he is all warm and soft, like a big old pillow. I laid my head on his chest while he rubbed by back just a bit.

I must of felled asleep ‘cuz the next thing I knew, Hop Sing–he’s our friend--called us to the table to eat some supper. When I opened my eyes, Adam, Hoss, and Jess were sittin’ around the fireplace. Joe was still sittin’ at the table workin’ on his homework. He didn’t look too happy either he was frownin’ somethin’ awful, like he had taken a bite of somethin’ that tasted real bad. His face looked kinda like Jessie’s when Pa made her taste some peas. She didn’t like ‘em and she spitted them back on her plate.

Me and Hoss and Adam and Joe all thought it was real funny. But Pa didn’t think it was funny at all. He fussed at Jess and he told us that we need to mind our manners. I still don’t understand how ya mind your manners. I mean you can mind your Pa, or your teacher. But how do you mind your manners? I’ll have to ‘member to ask Pa that question one day.

"Well, sleepy head–do you feel better now that you’ve had a nap?" Pa tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear.

I started smilin’ real big as I hugged Pa one more time. "Yes, Pa, I feel a bunches better."

"Good. Now lets go have some supper." Pa put me to my feet and I ran to sit at the table.

"Juliet, don’t forget to wash up first, please." Pa said as he started helpin’ Joe pick up his schoolbooks.

"Yes, Pa." I said and I went to the washbasin that Jess was standin’ at.

She handed me the soap and it was real slippery. I washed my hands and my face real good. If’n you don’t wash up real good–Pa will make you wash again.

Finally, everybody had got all clean and we sat down to eat the meal that Hop Sing fixed. Hop Sing had made some fresh bread and it smelled yummy. I love Hop Sings fresh bread. Pa put some jam on my bread and handed it to me. I don’t know how he knows that I love jam–but he does.

Me, Jess, and Joe, all waited patiently while we listened to Pa and Adam talk about gettin’ a Christmas tree.

"Pa, when do you think we can get the tree?" Adam asked while he poured a cup of coffee.

I watched as Pa placed some carrots on Joe’s plate. Joe rolled his eyes when Pa wasn’t lookin. We all roll our eyes, but only when Pa can’t see us. If’n he catches ya rollin’ your eyes, he will give ya a big long lect. . .lect. . .talkin’ too. None of us like it when Pa is mad us, not even Adam.

"Well, son, I believe a couple of days before Christmas will be good. We wouldn’t want to do it any sooner, because the tree would dry out." Pa passed the next bowl of food, so we could all get a scoop.

Adam nodded his head. "I agree, Pa."

Pa started talkin’ again as he dug his fork into his food. "That will give us some time to make some Christmas decorations. Girls, I think you two could string some popcorn. That will take a few days to do. We can also find some pinecones and tie strings to the end. Then we can hang them on the tree."

I started to get real ‘cited, talking ‘bout decor. . .decora–tions. I love makin’ stuff, it’s lots of fun. "When can we make stuff, Pa?" I asked while I took a bite of my food. Pa had put carrots on my plate too, but I ‘tended not to know they were there.

"Well in a few days, Julie. Christmas is next Friday, next Tuesday is your last day of school. If everyone behaves. . ." Pa looked at Joe when he said that. "We may go find a tree on Wednesday, so you and Joe and your sister can start making things that day."

Hoss spoke up real fast, "Gee. . . Pa, I love makin’ them popcorn strings."

"The popcorn ain’t for eatin’, Hoss, it’s for stringin’ ." Jess said with a frown on her face.

"I weren’t plannin’ on eatin’ the popcorn." said Hoss, "well, not all of it anyway."

When Hoss said that, everyone laughed but me. I didn’t know what they were talkin’ about. All I know is that I’m real ‘cited ‘bout gettin’ to make some things for the Christmas tree.

‘Fore the meal was over, Pa ended up fussin’ at me and Joe ‘cuz we hadn’t ate our carrots. He told us to ‘member that we were suppose to be behavin’. He told us we wouldn’t want to get no switch in our stockin’. I know I sure don’t want no switch, I don’t want no whippin’ on Christmas mornin’. So I started eatin’ my carrots, yucckkkkk!!! Why did God make carrots? They are just plumb nasty. Adam don’t like them either, but he just chokes ‘em down without fussin’. He knows that he won’t win a fight with Pa.

That night I had a real hard time goin’ to sleep. I was so ‘cited that I kept jumpin’ up and down on my bed. Pa came in to tuck me and Jess in our beds. He kissed us each on our foreheads and told us he loved us. He only had to come back in the room three times to tell us to settle down. The last time he added 'or else'. When Pa says 'or else' you know it’s time to lay down and go to sleep. 'Or else' is never a good thing. He told me one time to stop runnin’ in the house 'or else'. But I did it one more time and 'or else' meant standin’ in the corner for days. One time he told Joe to do his homework 'or else'. 'Or else' meant gettin’ a spankin’--I know ‘cuz that’s what Joe got.

So, since Pa said 'or else', I laid down and went to sleep. I was real tired anyways so I felled asleep real fast.

The next mornin’ Joe, Jess, and me got ready to go to school. Adam and Hoss were already gone; Pa said they had to go check on the cows. Well, Pa calls them cat-tail, but I don’t understand what cats have to do with cows.

Pa ‘cided to take us to school that day. He said he had to talk to Miss Jones about Joe catchin’ up on his schoolwork. When Pa said that, Joe got all red in the face. He looked like a apple from the fruit bowl. I don’t know if he was ‘barrassed ‘cuz Pa was goin’ to talk to Miss Jones, or if he was ‘fraid ‘cuz his schoolwork wasn’t done. Well whatever the reason, I’m glad it ain’t me.

School was real fun that day ‘cuz Miss Jones started talkin’ a little about Christmas. She said that we would make a present for someone in our class. We were goin’ to draw names out of a hat, then she would have some crafts for us to do. She said too that we were goin’ to make a organmint to take home. Later Jess told me it is ornament, not organmint. Well, whatever they are called, I cain’t wait to make one.

Finally, Pa came and picked us up. I was real happy that it was time to go home. I was so ‘cited about what Miss Jones told us that I had to share all the news with Pa.

"Pa, Miss Jones said we are going to draw names, and then we are going to make a present for the person we got and then we are makin’ some or. . .na. . . ments. And we get to brings those home so we can hang them on the Christmas tre. . ."

Pa held up his hand at that, "Julie, honey, please calm down. You have all night to tell me about it. Right now you need to button your coat and put on your hat so we can get home. Okay?"

I frowned a bit ‘cuz I wanted to tell Pa all about my day, now. Pa reached down to help me button up my coat, "Julie, don’t forget Santa is watching you. You don’t want a switch in your stocking, do you?"

"NO SIR!" I almost yelled. Then I looked at Pa’s face to make sure he wasn’t mad at me. Instead he was smilin’.

Usually when you yell at Pa he don’t smile, he frowns. Adam yelled at Pa one day; I don’t know what it was about. But you know what? Pa can yell a lot louder than Adam. Then Pa put Adam on ‘striction ‘cuz he was being dis. . .dis. . .respectful. Pa don’t like that either.

After Pa had me all buttoned up, he helped Jess with her coat. Then he went to speak to Miss Jones to see if Little Joe had done his work in school today. He must have, because, when Pa finally came to get in the wagon, he was still in a good mood.

After we got home, Pa made us do our homework. I thought I was goin’ to ‘splode. I wanted to finish tellin’ him about my day, but first we had to eat supper. Pa and Adam and Hoss talked about ranch stuff. Me and Joe and Jess sat and ate quietly. We aren’t allowed to interrupt adults when they are talkin’. At last, Pa asked me how school had went. So I told him everything again. I seen Jess roll her eyes at me from across the table. I wish Pa had seen her then he would tell her to stop.

When I was all finished, Pa smiled real big and then laughed. "My my, young lady, you had an exciting day. Jess, how was your day." Pa asked.

Jess looked at Pa. "Well, I think she’s done told you all about it." Jess had a mean look on her face. If she had wanted to tell Pa then she should have said somethin’ first.

I crossed my arms and stared at her. "‘cuse me, Jessica, if’n you wanted to tell Pa, why didn’t you just say somethin’?"

Jess stood from her chair, "Because you never shut up!"

I seen Pa close his eyes for a minute. "Girls." He spoke in that voice that we all know means trouble.

I thought about gettin’ a switch in my stockin’, or worse gettin’ a switchin' right now for fightin’. I ‘cided it be best to ‘pologize. "Sorry, Jess. I didn’t mean it."

Jess looked at Pa then back to me. She sat back down in her chair. "Yeah, me too, sorry."

When we finished our dinner, me and Jess helped Hop Sing with the dishes, while Joe finished his school work. Since it was so cold outside, Pa had Adam and Hoss finish the outside chores. He said he didn’t want us to catch a cold, so we aren’t ‘llowed to go outside after it gets dark.

The next day in school, Miss Jones let us draw names. I got my friend Gabby and Jess got her friend Sam. We worked on our or. . na. . .ments for our tree. Miss Jones had a bunch of pieces of cloth and some heavy paper. We glued the pieces of cloth to the paper, then she punched a hole in the top and we put some string through it.

I couldn’t wait to show Pa my Christmas thingy. Jess made one too, and her’s was real pretty. Joe made his in the shape of a square–so now we have three to hang up. After lunch we started workin’ on our gifts. Miss Jones had some things we could choose from. I ‘cided to braid some leather and make a necklace for Gabby. Some of the older boys were ‘llowed to whittle little aminals. I hope I get one of those aminals, ‘cuz they are real cute.

At last it was time to go home. We had rode our horses today–well I rode double with Jess. Pa says I’m still too little to ride all the way to school by myself. I tried to ‘splain to Pa that I wasn’t too little to go to school, so I don’t think I’m too little to ride my horse. He ‘minded me that I wasn’t too little or too big to go across his knee, so I ‘cided to talk about somethin’ else.

When we got home I slid off of Rebel and ran to the house. Joe and Jess took care of the horses.

"Pa. . .pa . . look what I did in school today!!" I yelled all the way till I was standin’ inside.

Pa was sittin’ at the table workin’ on his led. . .led. . .books. He looked up with a grin on his face. "Well. . .lets just see what you've got there."

I walked over and held my or. . .na. . .ment up real high so he could see it. "We made ‘em in school today."

Pa took it by the string and let it go round in circles. "It’s lovely, Julie. We'll put it on the mantel so that when we get the tree, we will know where it is. Okay?"

I nodded my head as Pa walked to the mantel and laid my Christmas thingy on top. Joe and Jess soon came inside. Jess’ cheeks were all rosy and her nose was runny. Pa felt her forehead to make sure she didn’t have no fever.

"Paaa. . .I’m fine, really." Jess whined.

Pa raised one of his eyebrows. "Well, I’ll have Hop Sing fix you some medicine just in case; I don’t want anyone sick, especially at Christmas."

Joe and Jess had also gave Pa their organ. . .ments. He put them beside mine on top of the fireplace.

That night at supper, we told Pa all ‘bout the things we were makin’ in school. I told him ‘bout the little aminals that the big boys were makin’.

"Julie honey its animals–not aminals." Pa said while he finished up his pie.

I musta frowned ‘cuz the next thing I know Pa was frownin’ back. "Juliet, please don’t make faces at me."

"Sorry, Pa." I ‘pologized real quick. You know it’s real hard work tryin’ not to get a switch in your stockin’. It’s hard to ‘bleive that Joe ain’t ever got one.

The weekend went by real fast. It snowed on Saturday night, so we didn’t go to church on Sunday. ‘Stead we stayed home and Pa read from the bible. He told all about the story of the birth of baby Jesus–and how his Pa and Ma followed a star. Pa’s told us stories ‘bout when he was a sailor and he followed the stars out on the water. But who knew that baby Jesus Pa and Ma did the same.

Monday mornin’ I couldn’t wait to get to school. We were havin’ our party today–then ‘morrow we are going to clean up the school so it will be all ready after the Christmas break.

After we got to school, Joe and Jess put the horses in the corral. Miss Jones rang the bell and we all hurried inside. We did spellin’ and readin’ before lunch. Then after lunch, Mrs. Devlin, that’s Mitch’s mother–came by the school and dropped off some cookies and punch for our party.

It was real hard to be still and Miss Jones had to tell everyone in the room at least once to quit squirmin’. Finally it was time and we all traded our gifts. Gabby loved her necklace that I made her. I was real lucky and got one on the wooden aminals that a boy named Wallace made. It was a horse, and I just loved it.

Jess got a bracelet and Joe got a whistle that someone had made. All the way home he blew that whistle till Jess told him she was gonna shove it down his froat. This is when they started fightin’.

"Jess, if you think you can do it, I dare you." Joe yelled from Paint.

Jess pulled our horse to a stop. "I don’t think, I know." She said.

"Oh, yeah!!" Joe started screamin’ real loud.

"YEAH!!" Jess yelled back.

Next thing I knew they both got off their horses and they were rollin’ around on the ground. I’m real glad Adam had been on the way to get us ‘cuz it looked like a storm was coming.

He rode up and jumped off his horse and grabbed Joe and Jess by the back of their necks. "What in the blue blazes are you doing?!!" Adam asked real loud.

I still was sittin’ on top of Rebel and I watched my brother and sister try to get away from Adam. But Adam is real strong like Pa and he sounds like Pa too. When Pa is away and he is watchin’ us, he can spank like Pa does, too. I know that for sure, but I’m not tellin’ how I know.

"Pa’s going to have your hides. Fighting this close to Christmas, I’m ashamed of you both." Adam told Joe and Jess as he pushed them to the horses. "Get home, right now!" Adam pointed down the trail that led to the house.

Jess got up on Rebel and we started heading home. Joe and Adam followed behind us. When we rode into the yard it had started snowin’. Pa was in the barn waitin’ for us. When Joe and Jess got down of the horses, Pa frowned at them. You could tell that they been fightin’ ‘cuz they were real dirty and Jess had a bruise on her cheek and Joe had a cut on his lip.

"I found them, Pa. Looks like just in time too." Adam said. The snow started fallin’ faster ‘fore we even got in the barn.

"Adam, get the rope. It looks as if we are in for a big storm, I want to make sure that we can get to the barn later." Pa said as he helped take care of the horses.

Me and Jess and Joe went in the house to get warmed up while Adam and Pa stayed outside to take care of the rope. When the front door flew open they were all covered with snow. I ran to go out on the front porch ‘cuz I wanted to see–but Pa caught me by the arm and turned me around.

"Not today, Juliet. I don’t want any of you outside. Understood?" Pa had a bad look on his face.

We all answered together. "Yes, sir."

Joe was standin’ at the basin tryin’ to wipe the blood off his lip. Jess had knocked all the dirt off her dress–when Pa asked for them to join him in his bedroom.

Joe looked like he was goin’ to frow up and Jess got kinda white, but they both followed Pa down the hallway and in his room. I don’t know what he said to them, but when they came out they both went to stand in their corners. I think they stand in the corner more than. . .ummmm. . .more than Hoss eats. Well, maybe not that much. Anyways, they were both cryin’. I don’t think Pa gave them a tannin’ though, ‘cuz we would have heard it.

We were all smart ‘nough not to ask either. Someone else’s punishment is not our business, if ya get too nosey Pa might just give you the same as whoever got punished. I ‘cided that I didn’t want to find out what Pa did.

It was real hard to sleep ‘cuz the wind was blowin’ real hard and it was real cold. It snowed and snowed and snowed. It snowed so much that we didn’t go to school the next day. Pa said he bet no one went to school today ‘cuz the snow was real deep.

Adam, Pa, Hoss, and Joe went outside to do the chores. The wind was still blowin’ so ya couldn’t even see the barn. Me and Jess played some checkers and drank some hot tea Hop Sing made for us.

When all the chores were done, my bothers and Pa came in and dried off. We spent most of the day playin’ games and talkin’ about Christmas. We started tryin’ to guess what kinda presents we got everyone. We had all gotten ours presents a couple weeks ago in case it snowed. I didn’t buy no presents, but I drew everyone a picture. I sure do hope they like them.

The next day the storm had stopped, but the snow was soooo deep. Pa was con. . .con. . .cerned that we might not be able to find a Christmas tree.

"Pa, I saw some small pines down by the pond. We could cut one of those, that way we don’t have to go very far in the weather." Adam told Pa where he had seen them trees.

Pa put us to work on makin’ popcorn strings and some more de. . .cor. . .a. . .tions. Hop Sing popped the corn in the fireplace. It smelted real good and I wanted to eat some. Hop Sing was real smart; he popped some for eatin’ and some for stringin’.

Adam and Pa left to go find a tree. Hoss wanted to go too, but Pa said that he had to stay home in case they weren’t back in an hour or so. If they weren’t, then he was to go fire the shotgun to see if he could find where they were. Or if’n it started snowin’ again, Pa said he had to have someone that could use the gun. I wonder why Hop Sing couldn’t use the gun?

After what seemed like a real long time, Pa and Adam came back with a real pretty tree. It was a little bit taller than Pa, but not so big that we couldn’t get it in the house. After we ate a fast lunch of soup and sandwiches, we finished makin’ the organmints. Pa said we would decorate the tree tomorrow ‘cuz it was Christmas Eve.

I was woke up the next mornin’ by the wind. It had started snowin’ again. I like the snow but not this much. I was ready to go outside, but when it snowed real hard like this Pa wouldn’t let us.

He made us stay inside and only him, Adam and Hoss were allowed outside today. Pa ‘nnounced at breakfast that it was Christmas Eve and that tonight Santa Claus would be comin’. I was real ‘cited and so was Jess.

Joe snickered at us though and Adam kicked him under the table. I wonder what he was laughin’ at. Pa ended up tellin’ Joe to mind his manners and he made Adam ‘pologize for kickin’ Joe. Adam wasn’t happy ‘bout it either, I thinked that he was goin’ to argue with Pa but changed his mind when Pa frowned at him.

Later in the day we dec. . .orated the tree. We putted the popcorn strings around it and then we put on the organmints. . .I mean. . . .orna. . .ments. Pa went to his room and brought out a silver star and placed it on the top of the tree. We all stood back and looked at the tree together.

After supper, Pa read us a Christmas story and told us about when he was a little boy. He told us about what Santa would bring him and what they would eat on Christmas morning.

We would be havin’ turkey on Christmas day ‘cuz Pa had bought a turkey from old man Conners. He kept the turkey in a pen behind the chicken house. Me, Joe, and Jess were not allowed to even go look at the turkey. Pa said something once about the turkey’s becomin’ pets and this year that was not gonna happen.

I really don’t know what he was talkin’ about. One time Joe tried to sneak a peek at that ole turkey and Pa caught him–we saw Joe hoppin’ around like a frog. Then we realized it was ‘cuz Pa was swattin’ his tail for him. Me and Jess ‘cided then and there that we would not go no wheres near that turkey–and we didn’t.

Christmas felt real different this year ‘cuz it was the first time we were with our new family. Last year it was me and Jess and our real Pa. When I started thinkin’ ‘bout it I started cryin.

"Julie, honey, what’s wrong sweetheart?" Pa asked me. I got up and walked over to him. I climbed up in Pa’s lap and laid my head on his chest. "Sniffff. . .I was just thinkin’" I said as I rubbed my face on Pa’s shirt.

"About what?" Pa asked me as he patted my back. I lifted my head a bit and looked around. Jess and Joe were starin’ at me, but Adam and Hoss were busy playin’ checkers.

"My real Papa." I spoke real soft. I didn’t want to hurt Pa’s feelings. Pa hugged me real tight, "It’s okay, Juliet. I want you to remember your real mother and father."

After that Pa let me and Jess tell some stories about how Christmas was when we lived with Papa and Mama. After a few stories, Pa said it was time to go to bed. I was so ‘cited ‘cuz I knew Santa would be comin’.

I ‘spose I finally went to sleep, ‘cuz the next thing I know I heard noises out in the living area. I wanted to go see what it was, but then I ‘membered one time when I was walkin’ around late at night and Pa caught me.

Pa ‘bout ‘caused me to pee my pants. He had walked in the livin’ room with his rifle.

"Juliet, what on earth are you doing out of bed? I thought you were an intruder." Pa put the rifle on the table.

"I’m not no ‘truder, Pa. I’m a little girl." That’s when Pa frowned at me.

"Juliet, I don’t like that you’re being sassy." Pa said, in a scary voice.

I’m not sassy very often and I didn’t think I was bein’ sassy then, but if Pa says I was I guess I was.

"Sorry, Pa." I said, as I looked at the floor. He put his real big hands on my shoulder and took me back to my room. He lifted me up to put me back in bed and he swatted my tail once for bein’ sassy and for gettin’ out of bed.

So instead of taking a peek at Santa, I’m layin’ right here. Santa might ‘cide to leave a switch after all if’n he catches me.

I don’t know how long I laid there, but it felt like for ever. Finally, I heard Pa’s voice and I hopped out of bed. I went to shake Jess but she was already awake too. I wondered how long she had been awake.

We hurried to get dressed and went out to the living room. As I walked to the table to eat breakfast, I seen that there was stockins’ hangin’ by the fire. One of them had a babys head pokin’ out of it. I could see yellow hair and blue eyes pokin’ over the side. Boy I sure hope that was my stockin’. Jess don’t like dolls, so I don’t think Santa would be bringin’ her one. And if Santa brought Joe a doll he would have a cow.

Me, Jess and Joe wanted to get our stockings now, but Pa said we hadta eat breakfast first. Me and Joe and Jess ate so fast that Pa fussed at us. He made us wait till him and Adam and Hoss was finished. We moved to sit around the fire.

Me, Joe and Jess sat in the floor in front of the fire. Adam sat in one chair and Hoss sat in the other. Hop Sing sat on the settee and there was a spot for Pa to sit down. Right now he was standin’ in front of us gettin’ ready to hand out the stockings.

We had to wait till everyone had their stockins’ before we were ‘llowed to look. I was right, mine was the one that had the baby in it. I just couldn’t wait to hold her, but I waited ‘cuz I didn’t want no trouble.

Finally, Pa said we could go through our stockins’ . First, I pulled out the doll, she had yellow hair and big blue eyes. She had a mouth made outa thread and pink cheeks. She was wearin’ a little blue dress with an apron. I can’t wait to show her to Charlotte and Mary Sue. They are my other babies.

Next I pulled out an orange and some nuts. Boy, the orange smelled so good. Then there was a peppermint stick and way down inside the toe part there was a shiny penny. WOOOOWWWW!!! I have a whole penny!!

We all had the same things in our stockins’ but Joe had a pocket knife and Adam and Jess both had books. Hoss had a new pocket knife too.

When Adam pulled out his penny he laughed. Then I seen Pa frown at him–Adam straightened up real fast.

Under the tree there were wrapped up presents. We were all ‘cited. Pa passed out all the gifts, then we were ‘llowed to open them.

Hoss and Joe had made me a cradle for baby dolls. It was a small wooden one and they had stained it the color of dark mud. I love it very much and I put my new baby in it. I ‘cided to name my new baby Mattie May ‘cuz she looked like a Mattie May to me.

Next Jess opened her present from Hoss and Joe. They had maded her a new bridle for her horse Rebel.

"Oh, Hoss, Joe, I love it." Jess jumped over and hugged Hoss real tight. Then she hugged Joe, Joe’s eyes got real big and looked real ‘prised that she was huggin’ him.

Finally everyone opened all their gifts. Adam got a new belt and some books from Pa. Jess made him a book mark out of a piece of leather and I drawed him a picture of me and him when we ride his horse. Joe told Adam that he would do his chores next week as his present and Hoss got him a new drawin’ pad ‘cuz Adam likes to draw.

Pa gotta a bunch of stuff too. He got a new pipe and some toe. . back. . .o from the boys. Me and Jess made Pa a new shirt. Pa said it was a real intrestin’ shirt. I thought it was too, ‘cuz one sleeve was longer than the other and the pocket was a little bit crooked. But pa said he loved it anyways.

Joe got the new knife in his stockin’. He also got a some new marbles, a new set of checkers that Hoss made outta wood and a bag of candy.

Hop Sing gots some new spices, and me and Jess got him some new seeds for his garden next year. He gots some other things too, but I can’t ‘member them all now.

Jess, gots the new bridle, a book, and Hoss maded her a pencil box. It was real pretty too, he even carved some flowers in the top.

I gots my new baby, and the cradle. Joe maded me a pencil box. I liked it a whole bunches, and I found a new dress for my dolls in one of my wrapped boxes. This is the bestest Christmas I have ever had.

When the presents were all done, Pa made us clean up all the paper while Hop Sing checked on the turkey he was cookin’. Part of the whole family’s gift was a new stove for Hop Sing to cook on.

We all went outside to do chores. Most times Pa won’t let me and Jess help, but today he let us so we could get done a whole lot faster. We all wanted to have our Christmas dinner later on and we didn’t wanna be bothered with no more chores.

It was real cold outside and the snow was up to my knees when I walked in it. Adam told me to work in the barn with Joe and Jess and he would stack the wood. I think Adam is bein’ extra nice ‘cuz it is Christmas and he don’t want me to get sick.

After all the chores were finished we headed back to the house. It started snowin’ real hard again so Adam put me on his shoulders and carried me inside.

After a real quick lunch we spent most’ve the afternoon playin’ with our new things. Adam and Pa sat by the fire place and ‘laxed.

Finally it was time for the family to have our Christmas feast. We had turkey, mashed potatoes, corn on its cob, carrots, green beans, peas, and pie for dessert. Hop Sing even made us some hot chocolate with our meal. YUMMMM!!

I was so full I thought I was gonna pop. ‘Stead we all helped with the dishes and sat around the fire to sing Christmas songs. I didn’t sing much, but I listened real close. Joe started talkin’ ‘bout his Ma and how much he missed her. Then I noticed that Jess was ‘bout to cry.

"Jessica, honey what’s wrong?" Pa motioned for Jess to come stand by him. She got up and walked over to stand by Pa. He put his arm ‘round her real tight.

Jess sniffed. "I just started missin’ Mama and Papa. I’m sorry, Pa, I . . .I . . .don’t mean to hurt your feelings."

"You’re not hurting my feelings at all." Pa talked real low. He hugged Jess again and he smiled. I think she was feelin’ lots better after that.

I sat on the settee by Pa as everyone started singin’ again. This is when I thought of somethin’ real ‘portant. I looked all ‘round the room. I looked at Adam and he grinned at me as he took a quick sip of his coffee.

I watched Joe for a bit. Even though Joe gets us in bunches of trouble, he is still my brother. Then I looked at Hoss; he don’t look like Adam or Joe or Pa. I heard Adam say he looks like his real mama. Hop Sing sat with us also, even though he was from a different country, it didn’t matter to us–‘cuz he is our friend. Then there was me and Jess, even though Pa is not our real Pa and we ain’t got no Ma, and Joe and Adam and Hoss ain’t really our real brothers.

I couldn’t figure out how any of that mattered. It don’t matter what color your skin is , or your size, or hair color, or who your mama or pa was or is, or where ya used to live or what ya used to do. It don’t even matter if’n you live with your real family. What makes a real family is love and I can feel all kinds of that in this house with my new family.

I laid my head on Pa’s shoulder and he put his arm around me to hug me tight. I started to feel my eyes open and close. The last thing I ‘member is how lucky I am to have a family that loves me. With my tummy stuffed and my heart full of love I went fast asleep. What a lucky little girl I am.

The End

11-30-2004

Gail G.