The Christmas Answer excerpt

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Excerpt

Copyright © 2012 Kimberly B. Jackson

Donna slowly made her way toward a rustic log cabin. Chickens pecked and darted across the yard. There was little grass, mostly dirt, with an old washing machine placed just outside the porch. Not certain what to expect, Donna made her way up the steps, startled when the door swung open.

“Welcome, welcome. Come in. You must be from the missionary group.”

“Yes, I’m Donna Dubois.”

“Hi, Donna Dubois. I’m Sara Cagle.”

Donna extended her hand only for Sara to reach out and hug her instead. The cabin was small and dark. A wood stove burned, presumably providing the only source of heat for the small home. Sara, a tall, slender, fifty-something woman with long gray hair, moved around some clothing sprawled across the couch.

“Make yourself at home. Please sit down.”

Donna dusted off the couch before she sat, only to wish she had not made that gesture in front of Mrs. Cagle.

Mrs. Cagle offered a smile. “Tell me a little about yourself. Are you married or do you have any children?”

“I am married, but we have not been blessed with children.”

“You’re still young. It will happen when it is supposed to happen.”

“I’m sure you’re right.” Choosing not to discuss the circumstances surrounding her life with a person she just met, Donna feigned a smile. Sara stood and lifted two of Donna’s suitcases.

“Let me show you where you will be sleeping.”

Grabbing the third bag, Donna followed Sara to a back room that was divided in two by a quilt hanging across a rope.

“I’m sorry, but you will have to share a room with the little ones. I’ve moved the older boys out to the back porch.”

Shock pulsed through her as she took in her accommodations. Sara placed her luggage close to the bed, and Donna followed suit with the bag she carried.

“Let me show you the rest of the house and where you can freshen up.”

I hope they have running water at least, Donna thought—uncharitably, she knew. Sara led Donna back to the living room, and then into the kitchen where a small table butted against the wall. Walking past it, they exited onto the back porch that was enclosed with plywood. Two makeshift beds were placed on the floor. Donna then followed Sara into a tiny room that contained an old claw tub, a commode, and an aged, cracked sink that contained rust and a dripping faucet. Leaving Donna there to freshen up, Sara walked off.

Donna looked around the small bathroom. Trying not to be judgmental about her living arrangements, Donna resolved to put on a happy face. But, as she looked down at the rusted, old sink, her smile quickly deteriorated.

With much vigor, Donna cranked a faucet on, but nothing came.

“Great, no hot water.”

Facing the inevitable, she turned on the cold faucet to a small steady stream. Cautiously, she positioned her hands under the freezing cold water and placed her hand on her face to refresh her appearance. The cold water cut through her whole body, giving her chills.

What did she get herself into?

This lady didn’t appear as if she could afford to feed her own family, much less a complete stranger. Donna looked around for a towel to dry her hands with, but found none. She was forced to wipe her hands on her shirt. “This is ridiculous. I could be at home resting instead of living in some rundown shack.”

Resolving to make the best of matters, she stepped out of the bathroom and went into the living room where Sara waited. Donna sat, careful not to look at the couch this time. “Well now, Sara, tell me a little about yourself. I know you have some children.”

“I actually just have two boys, sixteen and eighteen. They work at the coal mines just as their father did before them.”

“Coal mines?” Donna couldn’t hide her shock. They were so young!

“Their uncle is the foreman. Daniel is too young to go in the mine yet, but his uncle pays him under the table for labor work. Christopher just began mining after his birthday last month.”  

“You mentioned something about little ones.”

Sara nodded her head. “Yes, my little gifts from God. Jessie is the oldest—she’s seven and Lexie is five. They came to live with me after my cousin, Eloise, died. Her husband had passed on two years earlier from black lung.”

“Black lung?” 

“Black lung is a disease that miners can contract from breathing in coal dust over a long period of time. I pray my boys don’t ever have to experience such misery. They watched their father die a painful and slow death. I know it’s always in the back of their minds.”

Donna shook her head. “I don’t mean to be out of line, but why aren’t the boys in school?”

Sara looked shamefully down. “We need the money. I work at a sewing factory, but the income I make doesn’t go very far. Besides, the boys aren’t much on schooling.”

Donna decided not to pursue the conversation. Sara seemed uncomfortable talking about her two boys working at the coal mine.

The front door swung open. Two tall, slender young men entered, followed by two adorable little redheaded girls. Sara stood. “Daniel, Christopher, this is Donna Dubois. She is the missionary worker I told you about, who will be staying with us for a while.”

Jessie and Lexie peeped from behind the boys, looking curiously at Donna. Bending down to Jessie and Lexie’s level, Donna told them how much she enjoyed meeting them. Then she stood and expressed to Daniel and Christopher how sorry she was to put them out of their room. They politely replied that they didn’t mind, but still she hated the thought of the boys sleeping on the floor in that cold, half a room.

Announcing dinner would be ready in a couple of hours, Sara told the children to do their homework.  After they finished eating, Sara sent the children to prepare for bed.

Sara looked at Donna. “If you don’t mind, I think I’ll turn in also. Five o’clock comes very early in the morning.”

“Of course, I’m tired myself. Well, good night then.” Donna went into the room she was sharing with the little girls. The well-behaved youngsters were already in their pajamas and tucked in when Sara came to kiss them. After she left, Donna quietly changed into her flannel pajamas and slipped into bed. She was thankful Ellie suggested she pack thermal underwear. She had a feeling she would be wearing the warm attire a lot.

Exhausted from traveling, Donna curled in the bed. Too late, she wished she was at home snuggled on her king-size mattress, lying in her soft comfortable sheets. She said her prayers, asking the Lord that the time apart from Mark would do them both good. With that as her last thought, she fell asleep.

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