The Battle of Jericho by Sharon M. Draper

knew you wanted them, and yes, they sell everything here you can get back home. I don’t live in an igloo, you know.” She laughed again and Jericho flopped on his pillow with contentment. Hearing her laughter took him back to when he was a kid.
    â€œI miss you sometimes, Mom. Especially at Christmas. Remember when I was little, how much fun we used to have?”
    â€œYes, I remember, sweetheart. I keep those memories tucked in a very special place.”
    Jericho said nothing for a moment, remembering the abundance of those early Christmases, trying to block out the memories of the tension and the problems that his parents had tried to keep hidden from him. “How are the kids?” he asked finally.
    â€œOh, they’re fine. Excited, of course. Will and I have been up half the night putting together stuff for them.”
    â€œYeah, I helped Dad and Geneva put together a couple of things for Rory and Todd.”
    â€œIt’s a little different now that you’re older, and not so much on the receiving end like the little ones,” his mother said.
    â€œYeah, but this year, I got to do some real major giving to little kids. Remember I told you I was working with the Warriors of Distinction on their toy project? It was awesome, Mom.”
    â€œYes, I remember that group—your Uncle Brock was a member. They’re pretty powerful for a bunch of high school kids. They do some great stuff. You’re going to be a member now?”
    â€œMaybe.” He decided not to mention his concerns about the club to his mother. After all, it was Christmas.
    â€œThey’d be lucky to have you,” his mother asserted.
    â€œOf course you’d say that, Mom.” Jericho smiled anyway.
    â€œAre you still talking to that girl Arielle?” she asked.
    â€œYeah, she’s really off the hook. I can’t believe that a girl like Arielle wants to be with me.”
    â€œWell, it’s obvious the girl has good taste,” his mother teased. “Why wouldn’t she want to be seen with a hunk like you? You’re good-looking and you play the trumpet like no tomorrow. I bet the other girls are jealous of her.”
    Jericho grinned. “You’re just sayin’ that because you’re my mom!”
    â€œAnd you know it’s true!” She chuckled. “Tell me more about this girl, son.”
    â€œShe’s smart and she’s fine and she makes me feel like, I don’t know, I can’t put it into words.” Jericho hesitated, trying to capture all the feelings that swirled around in him when he thought of Arielle.
    â€œMy goodness, this girl must be something else!” his mother said.
    â€œOh, she is. She’s got a great sense of humor and she’s caring and she’s got more on her mind than makeup and hairstyles. She helped with the Warriors of Distinction project and I’m taking her to the Warriors’ celebration party on New Year’s Eve.” Jericho smiled as he described Arielle to his mother.
    â€œI’m glad you’ve found someone as special as you are, Jericho,” his mother said gently. “I hope I get a chance to meet her one day.”
    â€œYeah, that would be cool,” Jericho said. “I guess I better go now, Mom. I hear Todd and Rory in the bathroom. That means I have about three minutes before they pounce on me! Give my best to Will and the kids. I can’t wait until summer.”
    â€œI love you, Jericho, and have a very Merry Christmas,” his mother said fervently.
    â€œI love you too, Mom. Merry Christmas.” As he hung up the phone his door flew open, and, just as he knew they would, Todd and Rory jumped on his bed and started screaming.
    â€œGet up! Get up! It’s Christmas!” Rory yelled. “Hurry up!” Geneva and his father peeked in his room next, looking sleepy and sorry that the boys had not slept another hour or so.
    â€œI’ll make some