A Christmas Short – Part 2/4

Hey everyone! I’m back with part 2 of my Christmas Short story! What sort of things are you preparing for the holidays? Let me know in the comments, as well as how you like this part! ~ Kay Adelin

Part 2

Robert glanced at Dell, asleep over his books again. Normally, he’d have shaken him awake and hastened him back to his lessons, but this time, he quietly shut his own book and snuck to the door, slipping on his worn coat and shoes. Charlie would quiz them tonight on the lesson, and no doubt they’d both fail dismally, but they’d just have to fail. Christmas was coming, and he had to earn something in order to buy Dell and Charlie a gift.

He exited the warm house, and despite the bright sunshine pouring upon him, the chill went right to his bones, and he wrapped his coat around him tighter. The arms were two inches too short, and they had repaired and patched one multiple times, but it still had use in it. He bit down the cold as he advanced up the mountain path, finally reaching a small plateau where a dinky farmhouse sat next to a barn and chicken coop. “Mr. Shane!” He rapped on the door. “Mr. Shane, are you home?”

“Robert? Is that you?” The voice came from around back, and he followed it. There, he saw the older man wiping his brow, one hand on an axe, splintered wood around him. “Ah, it is you. What can I do for you?”

He glanced at the pieces of scattered wood, then at the woodpile next to the house and clasped his hands together. “I’m looking for some work. I want to earn some money to buy Charlie and Dell a Christmas Present. Is there anything I can do?”

Shane pursed his lips, leaning on the axe. “Well, I suppose I could use some help with this wood. I’ll pay you three copper coins a day if you help me stack and deliver the wood. I’ll be chopping some for some people in town, so I’d appreciate the help.”

Robert’s face brightened, and he jogged over to him. “Three copper coins a day? I’ll do it!”

Shane smiled and patted his shoulder. “We’ve got a deal.”

#

Dell closed his eyes, but kept his ears peeled. The moment Robert left the cabin, he perked up again and dragged his trunk from beneath his bed. Opening it, he pulled out two wooden figurines of a knight and his horse, which he had carved–for himself, initially–but now he had a better idea. Neither Charlie nor Robert would want them for a Christmas gift, as Charlie was too old and Robert tried to be like an adult the best he could. But he knew a wealthier man in town who had a young son who might enjoy the figures.

Slipping on his shoes and coat, he too started out, heading down the mountain to the village. It’d been ages since Charlie brought them into town, and he’d have to avoid him now, or else he might suspect.

Though small, the village bustled with activity during the height of the morning, and he blended into the crowd, using his hood to hide his unusual red hair. He, Robert, and Charlie were the only three in the village to have such a color of hair; everyone else had some shade of brown or black. At least it was easy to keep an eye out for Charlie that way.

He stopped before the single two-story house in the village, then rapped on the door. A prim-looking woman answered, her expression looking like she’d just sucked on a lemon. He tilted his head, his mouth going dry. “Um–hello Miss!” He smiled his cheery smile, but she only grunted.

“What do you want? Make it quick.”

“C-can I speak to the master of the house? Or the missus?” He clutched the figurines tighter to his chest, and the woman grumbled under her breath.

“Give me a moment.” She disappeared, leaving him standing there, shivering.

What if the people didn’t want his figurines? What if they weren’t good enough? He held them out, examining them. He’d made them with everything in him; he loved them. They were his only toys–but compared to the few other creations in the shops he’d passed, they didn’t look like much. They didn’t even have any paint.

When the door flew open again, he shrunk back, feeling much less confident than when he’d come. But instead of the housekeeper’s frightening scowl, a woman with a soft smile on her face greeted him, her voice gentle. “Hello young man. I heard you wanted to see me?”

He swallowed hard and jerked out the figurines. “I-I made them.”

“I see.”

He opened his mouth again, his mind going blank. What should he say? He needed to say something, and quick. This was for Charlie and Robert! “I want to buy my brothers a Christmas present. They work so hard for me, but I have nothing to give them back. I heard you had a little boy–maybe he would like these?”

The woman’s brows raised, but then she took the figurines. “You made these yourself? They’re very well done for your age.”

He nodded, staring at the ground and fidgeting with his hands. Every second that passed was pure torture.

“How much are you charging?”

He raised his gaze to hers, surprised. She wanted them? He hadn’t actually calculated a price. Six, maybe eight copper coins for the pair? Was that a good price, or too much? His knuckles went white as he clasped them. “S-seven copper for both, ma’am?”

The lady smiled and shook her head. “Oh no, I can’t pay that.”

He knew it. His craftsmanship wasn’t good enough, and he charged too high.

“Mrs. Watson, fetch me twelve copper coins, please.”

His eyes widened as he stared at her. She was giving him twelve copper? Before he could find his voice, she poured the coins into his hands.

“There you go, young man. I’m certain my son will enjoy these very much.” She ruffled his hair, and his hands closed around the coins, beaming at her. Now he had enough to buy Charlie and Robert both something nice!

“Thank you, Miss!” His gaze fell back onto his figurines, and his smile turned more wistful. I’ll miss you guys. But he could make some more, even if they wouldn’t be the same. He turned away as the lady and her housekeeper shut the door, and he trailed to the general store, gradually cheering as he felt the weight of the coins in his hands. Twelve whole copper pieces; he was rich!

Entering the small store, he glanced around. What was something Charlie and Robert would like? He went to the counter, looking at the shelf behind it. There, on the wall, was a bottle of Charlie’s favorite drink, something called mead, though he’d never let him or Robert touch it.

The man at the counter turned to him with a smile. “Ah, one of Charlie’s little brothers. What can I do for you today?”

He pointed to the bottle. “How much is that?”

“The mead?” The man walked over to it. “Ten copper coins.”

Ten copper coins? That left only two for Robert. He couldn’t do that. He bit his lip. “Is there any cheaper?”

The merchant shook his head. “Sorry, son. Ten copper is the cheapest wine we have.”

“Thank you.” His head dropped as he glanced around the store. Some food stuff lined the walls, and a few pairs of pre-made boots and coats lay in the corner. Shoes! Charlie needed new shoes for the winter! But were these the right size? He picked one up and examined it. It looked about the size of his feet. He took them over to the counter. “How much are these?”

“Ah, the boots. Mr. Clydesdale had a customer not show to pick up his order, so he sold them to me at a discount. Six copper.”

Perfect! His face must’ve brightened, as the man chuckled. “I suppose you want these, son?”

“Yes sir–if they’ll fit Charwie’s feet! They’re for Christmas! Do you think they’ll fit?”

The merchant pursed his lips. “Well, I’ll tell you what. You get them, and if they don’t fit, tell him he can bring them back and get the money. How does that sound?”

He nodded vigorously. “Thank you!”

Now to find something for Robert–but what? Robert hardly ever said he wanted anything, except for maybe more meat in his diet, but six copper coins weren’t enough to buy even a dinky chicken. He glanced over to the coats, then tried one on. Robert needed a new coat. Maybe these were on sale, too. He found one that fit, then came over wearing it. “Is this six copper too?”

“Those are eight.”

His face fell. “I only got six more. Is there anything good here for six?”

The merchant glanced around the store, then leaned close. “I’ve never done this before, son, but I’ll tell you what. I’ll give you the coat for six too–think of it as a Christmas discount.”

He clapped his hands. “Thank you, Mister! Thank you muchly!”

The man chuckled as Dell laid his coins on the counter, then said, “Would you like me to wrap them up for you, too?”

He nodded, and within a few minutes, he was on his way home again, hoping Robert hadn’t returned. Arriving at the house, he peeked inside. Still empty. Good. Hiding the presents in his trunk, he slid it back under his bed, then turned to the fireplace. Now to get this thing roaring again.