Temporary Christmas
written by: Kathy Whipple
Their off-post apartment was two rooms for the eight of them. It was all they could find, her parents said. Victoria was twelve and old enough to feel shame her family lived like that, sharing mattresses on the floor, stepping over each other, testy and argumentative.
“It’s temporary,” said Dad. “Just until base housing comes through.”
They’d been on Guam for months and still no housing assignment, their belongings stored in a military warehouse somewhere. Christmas was near. Victoria became increasingly angry they’d moved again, their fourth time that year. Even the island weather was unbearable. The blasted heat drove away any Christmas spirit. She slammed the bathroom door.
“Check your attitude, young lady,” said Dad.
That night the Navy called. Dad’s ship was suddenly ordered to sea for six months.
Mom kissed Dad goodbye and sobbed into a pillow. She wasn’t a crier so her muffled sobs tore at Victoria’s insides. Victoria corralled her younger siblings to the kitchen to give her mother’s grief some space.
“Why’s Mommy crying?”
“Shhh.”
Later, when she quieted, Mom wiped her face and gathered her six children round.
“Kids,” she said. “I’ve thought about it and this is what we are going to do.” The eyes on her still-splotchy face steeled into Victoria’s, begging support.
“We are going to make cookies and string popcorn. We are going to hang seashells from palm fronds and sing carols. We will bring goodies to the neighbors.” Her weak smile tightened to resolve. “We WILL be happy and we will have a WONDERFUL Christmas.”
And she meant it.
So, they did.
- Temporary Christmas - December 14, 2024
- The Death Parade - November 25, 2024
- Waiting - August 14, 2024
