The Gift of Christmas Present by Melody Carlson Page B

or—”
    â€œDid she mention Lenore?”
    â€œYes. First she said that Lenore was dead, and then shesaid that it was all just a lie and that you were not to be trusted.”
    Christine sighed. “It’s a long story.”
    â€œI’ve got time.”
    So Christine attempted to explain it all to him, carefully going over the details she knew, and how she’d never meant to trick his mother, and how she was very sorry.
    â€œAnd you can call my father down in Brazil to verify everything. I’m sure this information must all be on my birth certificate, which I think must be in his safety deposit box at the bank. In fact, I have a key, if it would help matters to see it.”
    â€œOh, I don’t think that’s necessary, Christine. I believe you, myself. I mean, why would you make something like this up?”
    â€œYour mother thought I might be a scam artist trying to con her out of her money.”
    He laughed. “Yeah, that sounds like something she might say. But don’t worry. The truth is you remind me a little bit of Lenore.” He grew quieter. “I’m really sad to hear that she’s dead. But I’d wondered about that possibility. She just didn’t seem like the kind of person who would leave like that and never come back or call or anything. She always seemed a very kind and forgiving person to me.”
    â€œThat’s nice to know,” Christine said. “Actually, the main reason I wanted to contact Lenore’s family was to learn more about her.”
    â€œI didn’t know her really well,” he explained. “I was already in college when our parents got married, and that was only a few years before Lenore, uh, left.”
    â€œDid you know she was pregnant when she left home?”
    â€œI suspected as much. I think it was supposed to be some big secret, but it wasn’t hard to guess what was going on.”
    â€œIs there anything I can do to help your mother?” she asked. “I wasn’t sure whether I should come back and work for her after this. I mean, she was pretty upset with me.”
    â€œWell, that’s the problem. You see, Aunt Hattie is supposed to arrive tomorrow. And Felicity has her hands full trying to get things ready for Christmas. And we could use your help, if you don’t mind, that is.”
    â€œI don’t mind at all. I just don’t want to upset your mother by being around.”
    â€œHow about this?” he said. “What if I pick you up tomorrow and bring you back over to Mom’s, and the three of us can sit and talk this thing out?”
    Christine sighed in relief. “Would you?”
    â€œHey, I’d be happy to. After all, you’re family.”
    She smiled. “I guess you’re sort of like my uncle, then. Although I realize you’re really a stepuncle.”
    â€œHey, you can call me Uncle Jimmy anytime you like. Suits me just fine.”
    â€œThanks. And thanks for calling. I feel a lot better now.”
    â€œSee you around eight in the morning, then?”
    â€œSounds great.”
    Christine prayed for her grandmother before she went back to bed that night. She asked God to help her adjust to the hard news of losing her only daughter. And then she asked him to help her forgive her granddaughter for lying.
    Esther awoke in the darkness with an overwhelming feeling of confusion and sadness. What’s wrong with me? she wondered as she reached to turn on the lamp on her bedside table. Then she remembered. Lenore. Lenore was dead. Or so said that manipulative girl who had tricked her way into Esther’s life and home. She should’ve known better. If it sounds too good to be true . . .
    She swung her legs over the side of the bed, cautiously extending her injured foot lest she bump it against the side rail again. She’d done that enough times to remember to be more careful. Then she frowned as she noticed that her crutches,