The Gift of Christmas Present by Melody Carlson Page A

on the couch, preparing herself for her grandmother’s chastening.
    â€œI don’t like being tricked by anyone, young lady, even if it is my own granddaughter.” She narrowed her eyes. “In fact . . . why should I even believe you now? Perhaps you’re not my granddaughter. Perhaps you’ve made all this up, and maybe Lenore is still alive. How do I know you’re not lying to me right now?”
    Christine considered this. “Why would I do that?”
    â€œWell, you admit to lying to me before, right?”
    â€œNot outright lying,” Christine said. “But I guess I didn’t tell you the complete truth.”
    â€œSo how do I know you’re not lying now?”
    Christine felt confused. “But what reason would I have to lie about something like this?”
    â€œMoney.” She studied Christine carefully, almost as if she were examining a bug beneath a magnifying glass. “You could be here to scam an old woman into giving you some kind of inheritance.” Then she laughed, but it was that old cynical, menacing laugh again. “That is, assuming this old woman has anything to leave anyone. And that’s a pretty big assumption.”
    Christine shook her head. “No, I don’t want your money. I only wanted—”
    â€œWell, of course you wouldn’t admit to wanting my money. What kind of scam artist would do something as stupid as that? No, you’re a clever girl, Christine. First you’d ingratiate yourself to me and to my family. Then you’d reveal your identity, and then you’d wait around for the money.”
    Christine stood up. “That’s not true.”
    â€œHow do I know what’s true and what’s not? Everything you’ve done up until now has been a big, fat lie. Why should I believe anything you have to say?”
    Christine felt hot tears burning in her eyes. Tears of anger and indignation. “I’m telling you the truth,” she said. “I have absolutely no reason to lie.”
    â€œHow can I know?”
    Tears were streaming down Christine’s face now. “Look, I’m sorry I deceived you before. That was stupid and wrong and thoughtless. But I am telling you the truth now. I am Lenore Blackstone’s daughter. You can call my father and ask him.” She rushed over to the desk and wrote down the phone number of the mission compound in Brazil.“Call him if you don’t believe me.” Then she turned and ran out the front door and away from the house.
    She cried as she walked back to the dorm. Why had she been such an idiot? Why hadn’t she just told the truth from the beginning? She wished she could turn back the clock. But if she could, she wouldn’t bother going back over the past couple of weeks. Instead she’d turn the clock back to at least six years ago. Back to when both her parents were alive and well. And they were all together and happily enjoying the Christmas holidays the way they were meant to be enjoyed. With warmth and love and family. Something she’d taken so for granted at the time, but something that might never happen again.

Christine awoke to the shrill sound of the phone ringing. She reached for the phone, fumbling in the darkness to find it. “Hello?”
    â€œChristine?” It was a male voice but not her father’s.
    â€œYes.” She flipped on the light and glanced at the clock. It was only eight thirty, but it felt more like midnight. How long had she been sleeping?
    â€œThis is Jimmy. I’m sorry to disturb you, but my mother called a bit ago. And she was very upset and actually sounded a little bit delirious—”
    â€œIs she okay?” Christine asked.
    â€œI think so. Felicity just gave her a pain pill and helped her to bed, but we’re feeling concerned . . .” He cleared his throat. “She said some strange things about you. I don’t know if she’s imagining things