Christmas present

“It was Christmas morning, I woke up and realized there was a Christmas tree right in the hallway.

It was all just a fresh pine scent blended up with orange fragrance, hot gingerbread on the table, and cinnamon hot chocolate flavor.

Under the decorated tree there were 3 boxes, 3 gifts for 3 people, and a sock, that was for the dog, I assume.

But who cared about those boxes, who? There was a bigger present, a present just for me.

SANTA hasn’t forgotten about my letter, about the family I wished for.

It was so real, a home where normal people spend every holiday, a fire in a fireplace, a joyful little dog running around, two loving parents, and welcoming home. It was the loveliest present I’ve ever received, finally, my dream was coming true.”

“Shut up there! It’s sleeping time!” The housemother interrupted the little Kate

“Oh, come on Miss Marie, I had such a beautiful dream, it’s such a pity not to tell anyone! Said the little Kate, grumpy faced

“besides, Denice is so willing to hear the end!”

“Ok, ok, but try to whisper it, not saying it out loud, you two should have a separate room, you’re so noisy sometimes, and the others have to rest! Tomorrow is such a big day.” Added the housemother

“Shut your mouth, Kate!” Said the little Diane, rubbing her eyes

“It’s two in the morning, I need to sleep! Who cares about your stupid dream and stupid wish?” Added the malicious Diane

“Girls, that’s enough! Everyone, to sleep! “Miss Marie covering the girls with her voice

“Denice, Kate, downstairs immediately! The rest of you, to sleep right now, why do I keep repeating myself all the time? Tomorrow is a big day for all of you, you just need to be rested and behave!” yelled the housemother exasperated while turning off the lights

There was silence now in the old orphanage. All the girls looking forward to the chance tomorrow will bring. Only three were impatient and sleepless. (be it between us, only two were sleepless, the “old miss” Marie was just exhausted, and the working day wasn’t over for her yet, since little Kate had other plans)

“Girls, I need you to get some rest for tomorrow. You just know that’s a big day, since it will be free for adoptions, and the Smiths will come. So, behave! They want a well-raised little girl.” Exclaimed Miss Marie

„Just go to sleep now, please! I also need to sleep.” “Says the woman, murmuring how tired she is.”

The Virgin Mary Orphanage for girls is steeped in suffocating silence. The little girls were probably all looking forward to the big day.

Each of the 25 girls had an opportunity to spend the upcoming winter holidays with a family. Since neither of them had a mother or father, this was their most cherished wish.

Except for Kate, everyone is sound sleeping, who couldn’t stop thinking about her amazing dream.

It was like a fairytale for her, she was tired of oranges, dark chocolate, or a pair of shoes as presents for each Christmas.

While making plans for the big day, the little girl fell asleep, not before making a pray and promising God if she’ll have finally a family, she’ll behave and will do the best to become a doctor as her dead parents were.

The morning light appeared in a blink.

And all the little ladies crowded into the three not very spacious bathrooms. It was an indescribable agitation, none of the girls can bear the turn in the order described in the orphanage regulations.

A scream like a roar came from below the stairs: “Giiiiiirls!

Please wait your turn, you have plenty of time until the Smiths arrive! They’ll come around lunchtime.” Miss Marie yelled

The girls rushed this time to get out of the three small bathrooms, remaining the first 3 series to do their morning toilet, including little Kate and her friend Denice:

“Listen to me, Denice! These parents will be just mine, I have pretty good grades, I’m a sociable child, I’m always smiling at everyone, and I have manners. I’m sure I’m going to make a good impression!”

“Come on, Kate, you, don’t believe it either! You always make jokes, and besides, you can only get along with me and Miss Marie. And let’s not forget the puppies in the yard.

You forgot about your last quarrel with Diane?”

“What about Diane?” Asked Diane herself, her turn coming over

“Nothing, it’s nothing”, replied, stammering Denice.

“Come on, Diane, I’m not in the mood for your insults, neither for your bad jokes!” Added the little Kate

“Look, Diane, you can’t stand me, I know that you know that. But please, leave me alone, just for today, I need a family more than you think! I need it, I can’t stay on my own for good.

I wasn’t as lucky as you, your parents are alive, you don’t have to replace them! I need it the most, please, just for today, don’t be mean!” Begged the little Kate

Diane stopped bothering the little Kate. Perhaps she felt guilty for her naughty behavior and thought that maybe, Kate was right. Her parents were alive, and she was there just for her bad behavior because she couldn’t value what she already had: two loving parents, a home, and much more opportunities besides the other girls. But Diane was there just to learn a lesson, a gratitude lesson.

Honestly, each one of all little girls would’ve preferred to be in her place. Who wouldn’t like to turn a nightmare into a fairytale?

A couple of hours passed away, they took breakfast, had some maths classes and lunchtime was approaching. The big moment was coming soon, the chance for a family, a wish that any of the 24 little girls longed for.

Meanwhile, Diane went to the little Kate and assured her she won’t ruin her chance. And, reconsidering the words Kate addressed her, she thought that maybe, since there passed already 6 weeks living in the orphanage as a punishment, it came the time to ask forgiveness from her parents for her bad behavior and become a brand-new person.

Said and done! Kate was now so sure that is not going to happen a thing that she’ll be able to impress the couple looking for a child.

The visit time arrived, the Smiths were parking in front of the building. Enough time for Marie to prepare the girls:

“Girls, I need you to behave, as I’ve always said. This young couple is looking for a well-behaved, educated child with whom they may venture forth into the world of wealth! One more time: Be-have! Shh! They’re coming! “

All the 25 little girls quickly settled into the band, as Marie learned them.

Then the poor wooden door of the orphanage opened. Everyone silent.

Just the lady Amanda heard while complaining about her new dress which had clung to the courtyard of the institution flowers.

Her embarrassed husband tries to cover her wife’s complaint by saluting the little girls and her housemother:

“Good afternoon, young ladies! How are you? Nice roses in the yard, by the way!” boasted the man in an attempt of covering his wife’s while still complaint

All the 25 little girls replied in unison: Good afternoon, you too!

While the rest of the girls were expecting new directions from their Miss Marie, Kate stood up in front of the line and held out her hand:

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Smith! How are you?” Little Kate noticed out the crowd

Marie insisted to them to start serving the lunch, inviting the two pretentious guests and started pointing each one of the girls, introducing them this way, adding something good about each.

When she reached pointing the little Kate, she, instead of answering the two’s curiosities, began to sneeze uncontrollably, unable to say a single word.

Miss Marie didn’t finish well presenting all the girls that Mrs. Smith began to ask if it takes much longer because she had an appointment at the hairdresser in less than half an hour, in the exclusive part of the city.

The little Kate felt so disappointed, as that didn’t seem to be the family she hoped for. Even though, she breaks the line again and hugged Mr. Smith, which, apparently was liking her also.

Then, he saluted all the girls, thanked them for the meal, and left. Mrs. Smith didn’t say a thing, just rushed in a minute to her fancy car.

Miss Marie, asked Kate: what was that? Why didn’t you listen to me? What if each one of you, would’ve hugged that man?

“I’m sorry, miss Marie! That’s what I felt like, I liked that guy and I promised myself that I’m going to do whatever just to get off this place. I’m sorry!” Excused little Kate

“It doesn’t matter anyway, I’m not going to let any of you, live such a life. You just saw that fancy lady, I don’t know how he can stand her.

Anyway, will be waiting for another chance to come, ok?”

All the girls sighed. Kate started to cry and left in the orphanage yard to see her puppies.

After a couple of days, Marie took aside the little Kate which was still upset about the situation:

“How are you, Kate? You haven’t said a word in two days, are you ok?”

“No, Miss Marie, I’m not. I wanted a family so much, that was my only wish. Not that much, others have it and don’t even know how lucky they are. Why had to die mommy and daddy in that car accident? Why? I’m so unlucky.” little Kate, bursting into tears

“Oh Kate, my little one, I have some news for you, I don’t know whether to tell you or not. But I’m going to risk it”

“What is it, Miss Marie? What happened?”

“Well, you know madame Amanda, which came the other day?”

“How could I forget that fancy, disrespectful lady”

“Oh, Kate, that even wasn’t Mr. Smith’s wife. She was his sister. Her wife didn’t come as she felt sick that day”

“There’s still hope, Miss Marie? That’s what are you trying to say?” Shouted the little Kate full of hope

“Oh, my darling, I don’t know what to say. The only thing I know is that Mr. Smith’s real wife resulted to be pregnant, that’s why she didn’t come that day”

“Oh, I have no hope then, Miss Marie. They’ll have a baby now, won’t need a “grown orphan girl” to raise”, said the little Kate, very upset

“I’m sorry my dear!”

“It’s ok, it’s just not the first family which passes by without fulfilling a dream to any of us”

A few days passed by and, while the winter holidays approached, the girls started to decorate the railing of the stairs with fir branches since the management of the institution never allocates money for another type of Christmas decorations.

Within these days, little Kate resigned herself, getting used to the idea that this Christmas will also be spent in a cold and not very welcoming orphanage, as she did in the previous years.

But one day, Marie gets a phone call. It was the Smiths; this time Rose Smith was calling. She wanted to see the little Kate, as her husband told her about the child. She had been impressed by what she had learned and decided to settle a visit to see the girl herself.

In a hurry, Marie prepared the little Kate and told her not to make illusions because there wasn’t anything sure.

Rose Smith arrived within half an hour, entered the orphanage door, and saw a little hopeless, teared up little girl.

She came across the girl and embraced her, assuring the child it will all be fine and that, she needs some time to get used to the idea of becoming a mom for real. How would she handle this situation as the pregnancy surprised her for good?

The little Kate didn’t understand pretty much, but that she’s not welcomed anyway since that lady was expecting her baby. Why would she adopt one of 9 years old? thought Kate

The days passed away and it was already the middle of December and Rose Smith and her husband Peter were visiting little Kate every single day, reading fairytales, playing games, knowing each other, spending precious time together. The young couple spent a few hours each day at the orphanage, surrounded only by little ladies and even more, by their favorite princess.

But not such a big deal for Kate, since she was hopeless while Christmas was closer than ever and she was still in an orphanage.

Meanwhile, the Smiths prepared all documentaries for adopting the girl. The only one who wasn’t aware of what was about to happen was Kate.

Something bigger was being prepared for the girl.

The first snow fell. Christmas Eve’s morning arrived, the young couple came to the orphanage, woke up the little girl, and said:

“Wake up lazy! Pack your bags and let’s go!”

Little Kate woke up smiling, she had another dream, it was like Rose and Peter took her to their home where a big tree was expected to be decorated.

She told the whole dream to Rose, smiling, happy that, at least, she dreamed again about her biggest wish.

Rose watched her, smiled, and said:

“Pack your luggage, what are you waiting for? A tree needs to be decorated. Your present is waiting for you. Let’s go home!