Christmas Tears

By Miriam Newman

What's a widowed mother to do with two children to provide for and Christmas coming soon? Noelle Welborn is in dire straits when she loses her job, is cheated out of her pay, and has no relatives to which she can turn. Then they lose the roof over their heads. Sleeping in the car seems the only option left.

Officer Nick Stewart stops when he spies a familiar looking car parked in a church parking lot late one night. Sure enough, she's the same pixie-faced woman he warned before. When he discovers she has kids asleep in the car, he insists she park in his yard or go to the police station with him. But what about the next night, and the next?

• Language: English
• Publisher: John R. Vickery
• Release date: Oct 7, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386509851

Book preview

Chapter One

Noelle jumped at the sharp rap-rap on the glass beside her. The distorted image of a man appeared through the foggy window. Using her fingertips, she wiped away the condensation to see a police officer motioning her to lower the driver's side glass. Cold wind whipped icy particles through the opening as she complied.

I'm sorry, ma'am, but you can't park here. You're blocking the turn-lane, The patrolman, or maybe a deputy, bundled warmly in his coat, cap, and a bright green and yellow scarf, did not bother to uncover his face.

Uh-okay. Sorry, I'm moving, Noelle sniffled and used a tissue for her drippy nose.

Are you sick? Do you need medical help? Concerned, the man reached for her door handle.

No, Officer, just upset – I'll be fine. I'll move the car right now.

Thank you, ma'am, I appreciate it. But if I see you sitting here again, I'll have to give you a ticket, he warned sternly before returning to his car.

And a good day to you too, she whispered then broke down again, sobbing while starting the car. It took several tries before the old Buick station wagon fired up. All she needed was to get a ticket on top of everything else.

Ken, where are you when I need you? Oh, God, what about the kids? Checking the traffic, she eased into a gap in the oncoming cars. Not a confident driver in bad weather, she could only be worse when crying.

Why can't I be one of those beautiful, delicate criers? Oh, no. I have to get big, red splotches and swelled eyes – and bellow like a sick cow. She cried even harder for several minutes before admonishing herself, "Now, stop this! You'll scare the kids." She worked to get a grip on her emotions.

Kenny and Rachael waited under the covered walkway, sheltered from the worst of the blizzard-like conditions. As soon as they saw the car pull into the circular school drive, they ran to jump in.

Hi, Mom, Pete ate a bug today, Kenny greeted her as he fastened his seatbelt. Peter was Kenny's best friend and garnered admiration by such actions.

"Ick, gross," Noelle gave him the expected response to elicit a childish giggle.

Rachael, beside Kenny in the back seat, made a face her Mom could see in the rear-view mirror. Meeting her mother's tear swollen eyes in the reflection, her daughter immediately wanted to know, Mom, what's wrong? You've been crying. Are you missing Daddy today?

A real Daddy's girl, Rachael had been hit hard by his death the year before and it took a terrible toll on her. She was much quieter than a seven-year-old should be.

I always miss your Daddy, Sweetkins. But, no... I'm afraid I got some sad news today at work. We knew the job was temporary, but I thought it would last until Christmas. Today, they told me not to come back. Sales are way down and they can't pay me anymore. As a matter of fact, the jerks are trying to get out of paying me the last check they owe me.

Will we have to move again? Kenny grinned at her with a gap-toothed smile. I wouldn't mind – I hate old, Mr. Rossi. The highly active five-year-old had regular run-ins with the cranky building manager for running and shouting in the hallway.

It's not nice to hate anyone, Noelle told him automatically, even though she understood and had difficulty not feeling the same way. And... Well, I don't know yet what we'll do. Let's just get back to the apartment and find something warm and filling for supper. Do either of you have homework?

Not me, piped up Kenny. Can I watch TV when we get home?

I suppose, Noelle answered absently, still thinking of what to do about a job.

Noelle's concern grew as the snow fell faster, and she drove slower and slower. If this kept up, the kids wouldn't have school tomorrow. That meant no way could she go out to look for a job, either. Thankfully, there were a few groceries in the kitchen, but the rent was due again. She just mailed an electric bill that should have paid to light up half the city, only to find a new bill slipped under her door when she got home yesterday.

There was no way she could leave the heat turned lower. Nagging constantly, she made sure the kids flipped off everything they could to save power, but it didn't seem to matter. The old building was too drafty. The heat the antique ceiling coils provided swept right out with the wind blowing through the cracks.

Slipping and sliding, they managed to get from the car to the front steps of the run-down apartment building. The kids thought it was hilarious every time Mom almost fell. Noelle didn't think so and worried what would happen if she broke a bone. They had no relatives to help out and no insurance. Don't think about it. Just get in the door. Get to the apartment.

A low groan escaped Noelle when she found Mr. Rossi waiting in the foyer.

"Rachael, here's the key. Go in and put your things away. Kenny, walk, please! Go in with your sister." She turned to face the grumpy man leaning against the wall.

His red sweatshirt and matching pants hugged his rotund body. He wore a black watch cap all the time, even inside the building, and he always reeked of cheap cigarettes. Mrs. Welborn, I need to speak to you.

Noelle hugged her coat to her throat and moved closer, knowing what was coming. "Yes,