A CHRISTMAS STORY, DAVID MITCHELL [adventure books to read txt] 📗

wondering quite what to do for she had never been alone at Christmas before !

She had considered her Christmas Dinner but rejected the idea of cooking the small turkey she had managed to buy for the occasion. Cooking a turkey for one person would not be sensible she thought. And so she decided she would save the turkey and Christmas Pudding until after the holidays when the children returned. "I'll just manage with a sandwich" she thought to herself. But when Mr Holden phoned to invite her to join the Holden family she accepted very gracefully however she could not hide her absolute delight and happiness. The Christmas she was not looking forward to at all had now changed for her totally and completely. She was determined to enjoy the occasion together with Chris and the Holdens and appreciated their kindness very much.

So little Chris, once he had recovered from the surprise and the great pleasure of seeing that Mrs Briggs had joined them rushed to her and gave her a big hug. They then joined the others and all enjoyed a truly splendid and jolly Christmas dinner just like in olden days - Mrs Holden, a very good cook, did them all proud and there was plenty for everybody. There were Christmas crackers to pull and small gifts inside - there was much laughter as each cracker was pulled. Chris loved everything - especially the Christmas Pudding !

After the great dinner it was time to open the presents which were still lying at the foot of the Christmas tree. Of course there were gifts for Chris and even a couple for dear Mrs Briggs - Mrs Holden had quietly taken the label off two of her presents and placed new labels which said "TO DEAR MRS BRIGGS - WE WELCOME YOU TO OUR FAMILY". At this even the normally stern Mrs Briggs melted and a tear or two could be seen on her cheeks.

The Holdens were so taken with Chris, and he with them, that after the holiday was over they offered to accept him on a permanent basis and not too long afterwards, after all the necessary legalities and formalities had been completed and observed, Chris went to live at the Holden’s home. But he never forgot Mrs Briggs and went to see her periodically at which she was very pleased indeed.

But what about the poor mother of Chris - Elly ? Well, after leaving her baby at the orphanage she did manage to obtain a live-in position as a scullery maid with a well-to-do family. She was quite happy there but the position was very poorly paid and she was allowed very little time for herself. There was no absolutely no chance of obtaining her own place to live and to try to reclaim her little baby who, of course, had now grown up somewhat. The years passed slowly by but there wasn’t a day when she didn’t think about her little boy and wondered how he was faring. Sometimes she retraced her steps on that awful day when she left her small son on the doorstep of the orphanage. She badly wanted to ring the bell and enquire about her baby; but each time she lost her nerve and walked on. And then one day, her fortunes changed quite dramatically for, quite out of the blue, she was informed that her wealthy aunt had passed away and had left her a legacy of £15,000 in her Will !

She was totally astounded and not a little surprised because this aunt had not been especially kind to her when it became known she was pregnant and, like her father, treated her with some disdain and much criticism. Maybe in time she had relented, and changed her mind, Elly thought, and decided to help her niece after all even if her father wouldn‘t. But most of all Elly was very happy for her first thoughts were that she could now find somewhere to live, reclaim her son, and live happily as a small family. Back then with the average wage around £3-£4 per week one can imagine the value of £15,000 ! Elly felt exceedingly rich.

So she immediately made contact with the Orphanage. At first she was completely rebuffed because the orphanage itself was controlled by a number of regulations - one of these being that they may not in any circumstances reveal the details of any adoption. Mrs Briggs felt exceedingly sorry for Elly and tried to pacify her. But Elly, who rather foolishly had thought that all she need do is to re-claim her son and all would be alright.

Elly sought advice and was told the prospects of seeing her son again were bleak. And so Elly returned to the orphanage and threw herself upon the mercy and understanding of Mrs Briggs. Elly pleaded and pleaded with her and the tears kept running down her cheeks until something within Mrs Briggs snapped, and she just knew at that moment that she would have to help this pathetic and extremely sorrowful young lady. She knew the Holdens and felt that they would not turn Elly away. So she went to her desk and wrote a name and address upon a small piece of paper. She then turned to Elly and said "NOW ELLY, YOU KNOW THAT WHAT YOU ARE ASKING OF ME IS IMPOSSIBLE. I CANNOT DIVULGE WHERE YOUR SON IS NOW. I JUST CANNOT DO IT. IT CANNOT BE DONE. BUT SOMETIMES I AM CARELESS AND LEAVE LITTLE PIECES OF PAPER AROUND - her eyes then went to her desk "I REALLY MUST CURE MYSELF OF THIS HABIT" Elly looked up, saw Mrs Brigg's eyes wander to her desk, went to it, and gratefully collected the piece of paper on which, of course, was the Holden family's address. She kissed Mrs Briggs before departing and Mrs Briggs advised her to tread very carefully indeed and with understanding for the feelings of the Holdens.

First of all Elly contacted the Holdens by phone, and made an appointment to see them - and little Chris. She did not tell them why she wanted to see and talk with them feeling that those details should more correctly be the subject of a face to face meeting. As Elly unfolded her dramatic and pitiful story, and crying all the time whilst doing so, Mr & Mrs Holden were of course profoundly shocked to learn of this development for they had cared for Chris just as if he was their own son. He was now attending a very good private school and the Holdens were giving him every chance to progress well in life. They were nice and understanding people and therefore paid attention to her plight and to every detail of her story. It seemed to them that Elly was a nice young lady, had been somewhat unfortunate in her choice of family, and so they forced themselves to see and understand the situation from Elly’s point of view. However, they remained determined not to lose little Chris altogether

The reunion between mother and son was a remarkable and heart warming spectacle to behold. When mother and son first saw each other Chris reacted shyly and was a little reticent at first; but something inside attracted him towards his mother. He went to her and she placed both arms around him and smothered him with kisses as only a loving Mum can. And Chris responded wholeheartedly. Pitifully she pleaded with the Holdens to let her have her son back. Chris, of course was quite bewildered about all of this because although he loved his long lost real mother and took to her very naturally, he also loved the Holdens. His poor little mind was in a turmoil and he was very confused.

Problems of this kind are extremely difficult to solve at any time but when they occur between nice and understanding people it is often possible to reach a conclusion which is satisfactory to all concerned. And so it was between Elly and the Holdens. Each recognized the extremely difficult situation of the other and tried their best to appreciate both points of view.
Out of all the talking they arrived at a mutual agreement to share the affections of Chris and bring him up together.

And so it was that the Holdens agreed to help Elly find a small cosy flat quite near to the Holden's place and some of the time Chris went there and some of the time he spent with the Holdens. It seemed to be the perfect and most happy solution and it worked well with surprisingly few problems. Chris proved to be a studious little boy and did well at school to the delight of all. When he grew up he attended university, and chose medicine as his profession. When he eventually qualified as a doctor, Elly, the Holdens, and even dear old Mrs Briggs – now older and somewhat infirm – were all there to witness his achievement and awards.

This is just a Christmas story which never really happened – but it so easily could have. And we should all try to remember that such problems and situations do occur. That is part of life. But between nice people, who are understanding and are prepared to see the other's point of view there is always a solution to be found - provided the willingness is there to recognise it.


MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY !

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Publication Date: 03-18-2010

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