NCW - The Perfect Christmas Guest (standard:drama, 992 words)
Author: Maureen Stirsman	Added: Dec 31 2005	Views/Reads: 3646/2322	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
A strange young boy arrives at the Golden's on Christmas eve.

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

“Never mind, Cora, we'll talk. Take your things back up, Rob, and give
Cora and I a minute.” 

“Sit down, honey,” Morris says. “I have a story to tell. I got him to
the bus station and he insisted that I leave. I was reluctant, but I 
did. I thought I would see if the donut shop was open. It wasn't, but 
it took me around the corner and I wound up back at the depot. The 
Syracuse bus was pulling out. Then I saw Robert walking in the opposite 
direction. He's not going home, Cora. He has no idea where his father 
is. He works picking fruit in summer and if you can believe it, he 
lived in one of the shacks on the grounds of the orchard. He has no 
home. He was hitchhiking across the country when Kevin found him.” 

“What does he intend to do?” 

“I don't know. It's Christmas day and I couldn't leave him on the
street. I'll make some phone calls tomorrow, but today let's give him a 
Christmas to remember.” 

It was a wonderful Christmas. There should be someone to take care of
Robert. If only we weren't so old. I just don't want to let him go. I 
smell coffee. I come down in my robe. “Is Robert up?” I ask. 

“He's gone, honey.”  My heart drops.  “He left before I was up.” A note
is propped against the sugar bowl. “Mr. and Mrs. Golden, Thank you very 
much. This was the best Christmas I ever had, just like I always 
dreamed. I never had grandparents, but if I did I hoped they would be 
like you. Don't worry about me. God's angels watch over me. Mrs. Uliase 
said so anyway. Robert B.” 

The words blur. “Oh, Morrie, he's such a nice boy. I hope he gets what
he wants.” 

“Robert got what he wanted, a grandmother, if only for a day. 

Somewhere in Indiana a boy pulls a red hat down on his head and puts on
the gloves a grandmother made. God's angels smile. ... 


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