Christmas guests(Darrell Case) Paula tottered down the street, unsure of what to buy the two little boys’ next door. Such precious little things only 5 and 6. Would she buy them candy or some gift their family wouldn’t think of?
This morning, she stood at her kitchen window watching the little boys play in the snow. Her thoughts on her own son. Berry was just five when he died. Tears moistened her eyes. Was it thirty years ago?

Paula had been putting the icing on his birthday cake. She smiled, thinking of his face when he saw the race set she found at Toyland. she heard the squeal of brakes and the scream of her child. Dropping the knife, she rushed outside. Berry lay in a crumbled heap in front of the Rambus car. Her breath caught in her throat. Her heart failed her. Tears flooded her eyes. On wooden legs, she stumbled to the street, falling to her knees beside her dying child.

A light rain was falling.
Steve Rambus knelt beside the little boy. Tears streamed down his face. His hand trembling, he stroked the boy’s hair.
He whaled. “I didn’t see him. I didn’t see him. He ran right in front of me. I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t stop. Oh, Berry I’m so sorry.” He sobbed.
Tears dripping off her chin. Paula said. Her voice trembling until she could barely speak. “Mommy’s here honey. Mommy’s here.”
Taking a hanky from her pocket, she wiped blood from her child’s lips.
“It hurts mommy. Make it go away. Make it go…” Berry closed his eyes and died.
Paula lifted her head and screamed.

By standers tried to move her to the curb. She resisted, staying by her child’s side. Paula wept, her tears falling into Berry’s face. She kept on screaming until her throat was hoarse and her voice gone. Rambus leaned against the car and wept. Coming home from his work at the factory, Terry ran to his wife. Seeing her husband, Paula jumped to her feet. Together, they wrapped their arms around each other.

By this time, the police and paramedics had arrived. Loading the little boy in the ambulance, Paula and Terry rode with them to the hospital. Once there, the doctor in the emergency room pronounced Berry dead. Paula and Terry’s world ended that night. The nightmare continued. Each time Paula passed her child’s room, she expected to see him smiling at her. One night, Terry came home to find her weeping, setting on their son’s bed. In her hands, she gripped the toy truck he loved so much.

The hurt dissipated but didn’t go away. Then last year Terry died. He was sick for several months before the cancer took him. Now Paula lived alone. On lonely nights she took out the baby’s album they started before Berry was born. Opening it, she looked at a younger version of herself. A young Paula smiled into the camera, holding her abdomen.

They buried Terry next to their son.

In summer, Paula set on her back porch watching the little boys’ next door play. Their mother, Wanda, was a very pleasant woman. Some afternoons she set on the porch with Paula. At times, she brought lemonade and cookies she had just baked that morning. They spoke of life and raising little boys. Tears misting her eyes, Paula spoke of Berry and how much she loved him. Wanda came away with a new appreciation for her children.

Her thoughts in the past, Paula stumbled, her feet becoming tangled.
Strong arms held her up. “Careful there. You, ok?”
“Yes, I am now. Thank you. You saved me from a nasty fall.” She looked into the smiling face of her pastor.
“Oh, pastor, I’m sorry. I didn’t see you. Where are you off to?” Paula said, returning his smile.
“I’m glad I ran into you, Paula. I’m on my way to the rescue mission and I need someone to play the piano. Would you mind?” Pastor Sands said.
“But…but pastor, I haven’t played in years.” Paula said haltingly.
“You’ll do fine.” He said, smiling.
“Well. Ok. But please don’t expect too much.” Paula said.
“I’ll try to pick some easy hymns.” He said. Hooking his arm in hers, they walked the two blocks to the city mission.

Going in to the mission, Paula steeled herself. She was prepared to be assailed with the unpleasant odors of unwashed bodies and unhealthy conditions. What confronted her, however, was the pleasant smells of food being prepared and a flowery scent. The men and women greeted pastor Sands like an old friend. He introduced Paula as a member of his church and a magnificent pianist.
Terrified, Paula followed Pastor Sands to the chapel. On the platform set an old piano. Nervously, she ran her fingers over the keys. An old familiar feeling came over her. Paula closed her eyes and played as never before. In her mind she envisioned Jesus Christ setting on a folding chair in the front row. She was in her own world. Just Jesus and her. For the next few minutes, Paula, lost in the music, played a medley of hymns. Finishing she looked up with glassy eyes.
There was absolute silence. Everyone looked at her, their mouths open and tears in their eyes. The music drew the kitchen workers and those at other tasks to the chapel. The room erupted in clapping. Paula’s face glowed bright red. She had forgotten where she was.

“Sorry.” Paula said to pastor Sands.
“Thank you. That was beautiful.” He said, laying his hand on her shoulder.
Quietly, he stepped to the pulpit. For the next few minutes, he spoke of using your talent for The Lord. In the end, she and pastor Sands gathered with the others for the noon meal. A young mother with two little boys sat on the other side of the table.
Pastor Sands introduced them. “Paula Edwards, this is Shery Odem and her little boys. Daren and Philp. Shery just started a job at Larry’s grocery. She stocks shelves at night.” Shery shook hands with the elderly woman.
Shery smiled. “Your hymns were beautiful. I wish I could play like that.”
Paula smiled, embarrassed. “I would be glad to teach you. I’m sure you could do better than me.”
“Thank you. But since we lost our home. Larry allows these two to sleep in the back room while I work.”
“Does your husband help you?” Paula spoke before she thought. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”
Tears came to Shery’s eyes. “Allan was sick for a long time. He passed away last summer. I couldn’t pay the bills and the mortgage.” Shery glanced at her sons. She wiped her eyes. Paula thought of losing her son, then her husband. How would she feel if she lost her home and had no place to live?
“I have a large house about 10 blocks from here. I live alone. I wouldn’t charge you rent or anything. It would be nice to hear the laughter of children there again.” Paula said excitedly. Her heart beat faster.
Pastor Sands had been listening to the conversation. “I’m sure some women from the church would be glad to help babysit. And we have a Christmas program coming up and those two would make great shepherds.” He indicated the two little boys.
“Thank you. Are you sure it will be alright?” Shery said. “We wouldn’t want to impose.”
“Nonsense. It would be wonderful to have children there again.” Paula said, feeling years younger.

The next morning, Paula woke early. She felt renewed energy flow through her. Paula had gone through the house sweeping and cleaning the night before. She cleaned the guest room and her son’s bedroom. At nine that morning, Pastor Sands pulled in to her driveway. Paula stood just inside the front door. The two little boys climbed the front steps to the porch, holding onto the hands of their mother. Smiling, Paula stepped out, holding the door open. Daren and Philp, their heads swiveling all around, looked at the yard and the house.
“Are you our new grandma?” Daren said.
“Our grandma went to heaven.” Philp said.
Shery smiled, her face reddening. “I’m sorry. I tried to explain to them.” Then to the boys. “No, Mrs. Edwards is the nice lady, letting us stay with her for a while.”
Paula knelt before the two boys. “Would you like me to be your grandmother?”
Both boys nodded their heads. “Yes, please.” Philp said.
“Could you?” Daren said.
Paula smiled. “Of course. But you have to call me grandma. Think you can do that?” Both little boys nodded their heads.
On her knees, tears misting her eyes, Paula folded the two little boys in her arms. Tears flooded Shery’s eyes. Pastor Sands, holding the suitcase, smiled. He saw renewed vigor in Paula.

That afternoon, while Shery slept, Philp and Daren crawled up beside her and took a nap. After checking on them, Paula busied herself in the kitchen making dinner. She set four places at the table. For the first time in years, she looked forward to preparing a meal.
Coming into the kitchen, Shery said. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sleep so long.”
Paula smiled. “I’m glad you were able to sleep. And as far as the meal is concerned, it was a joy to cook for more than just one.”
Life took on a new meaning for Paula.

With her shift being from midnight until eight, Shery made sure the boys had their baths and was able to read them a bedtime story before she left for work. Paula had a mechanic check her car. After the inspection, she gave Shery the keys. The young mother just stared at her openmouthed.
“I…I don’t know what to say.” Shery said.
“Just be careful. It hasn’t been driven in years.” Paula said, smiling.

Philp and Daren waited at the front window each morning, watching for their mother to come home. Once Shery was in the house, they spoke excitedly about the progress of the Christmas play.
On the night of the Christmas program, Shery drove Paula and the two boys to church. During the program, the boys kept sneaking waves to their mother and new grandmother. Paula dabbed at her eyes, her thoughts going back to another Christmas play. Berry had been one of the shepherds in that one as well. She had cut down one of her husband’s old robes until it fit the small child.

On Christmas eve they gathered around the Christmas tree. Paula served hot chocolate. They had a party the week before decorating the tree. It was the first Christmas tree to grace the house in years. On Christmas eve they invited Wanda, her husband and their two little boys. Paula played hymns while everybody sang.
Later, after the neighbors returned home, and Philp and Daren were asleep. Paula and Shery wrapped gifts. There were shirts, pants, socks, new shoes, and toys. Paula donated two hundred dollars to the mission, instructing them to use it for buying toys for the children. Paula went to sleep with a smile, thinking of what the boy’s reaction would be to the gifts.

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