Snowflakes fell lightly to the ground as busy travelers and shoppers hurried home. The
lights from the shops glowed their different colors from the windows while Santas stood
outside ringing their bells and Ho Ho Hoing. Snow covered the sidewalks and even
patches of ice. Cars drove slowly past usually with any kids glued to the windows
watching the lights and decorations pass. People hurried with arm loads of packages
wrapped in bright Christmas colors. And on a bench outside a particularly bright shop
sat a eight year old girl. She was dressed in a long skirt and a warm winter jacket
and boots. But inside she was frozen. Busy shoppers passed her by not noticing her. Dogs
came up to her and sniffed her before continuing on their way. Children looked at her as
they passed, holding their parent's hands. But no one said a hello or even gave her a
smile. She sat there until dusk fell then slowly, feeling very cold, she left.

Inside apartment 101 Saint Eve Street, eight year old Eve stood with an older couple
looking at the tree they had just finished decorating. The man named Dave plugged in the
lightsand they all stood back to admire it. The woman, Cindy put a Christmas tape in the
cassette player. It filled the air with soft sounds. Eve watched the tree for a long time
after the older couple left to do other things. She looked sadly at the angel restingon the
top. She felt lonely, and sad. Her parents had been killed in an fire. She had no brothers
or sisters. Just an old couple that had adopted her. They were nice but they weren't
special. They thought nothing of her. But somehow she thought they did love her in their
own way. But she had no one to talk to. No one who really cared about her. She just spent
the afternoon sitting outside her favorite shop watching the people pass and the
excitement. Only she didn't feel it. She felt no happiness or joy. When she had finally
came home no one had asked where she'd been or what she'd done. She looked at the
angel and made a wish. She wished she had someone to talk to. Someone who loved her
with their whole heart, a friend, anyone.

Johnny whistled as he walked down the stairs from the house. He carried a shovel with him. As he stepped down on the snow covered sidewalk, something hit him on the
shoulder. A snowball. Three bigger kids laughed and ran. Johnny muttered under his
breath. He kept walking. He walked looking for another unshoveled driveway. Two
blocks down he came to a well known house. His friend Mrs. Craw. She always had work
for him. He smiled as he approached the front door. Mrs. Craw was probably older than
his grandparents would be. Since he didn't have any, she was his replacement. She looked
too old to live but she had a spirit alive and well. She was always jolly. Somehow it
always rubbed off on him. Even in the nights when he went home to his cardboard box for
the night. No one knew the truth about him. It was a well kept secret on his part. He had
run away from home. But Mrs. Craw thought he lived with his parents. Everyone did.
When in reality he went home to a cardboard box in an empty ally. He had made a few
friends since he had moved to his new place.

Mrs. Craw opened the door a crack. When she saw Johnny her eyes grew bright, "Come
in My Dear", she offered as she pulled the door open farther. Johnny followed her into
the kitchen. She put on the kettle to make him some hot chocolate. This felt familiar
and good, thought Johnny. Mrs. Craw inquired how he was doing. He offered his usual
explanation. She asked about his parents and he gave her the usual excuses.

Johnny stayed longer than usual, enjoying Mrs. Craw's company more than usual.
She seemed to be quite happy to have him here tonight. It become dark before Johnny
realized it. Mrs. Craw asked him to stay the night. He hesitated. He had this gut
feeling in his stomach that he should go but he couldn't explain it. He wanted to go but
Mrs. Craw looked more lonely than usual and having a warm bed for the night sounded
very inviting. In the end, the warm bed won out.

The next morning Johnny woke up still dressed in his clothes. He stretched in bed.
This felt so good. To wake up in a warm bed in a warm house with someone to take care of
him each morning. For just a second he missed his mother. But only for a second. He
went to the bathroom and washed than went downstairs. Mrs.Craw had breakfast ready
for him. Toast with strawberry jam and orange juice. She always got it right. This was
the forth time he had spent the night at Mrs. Craw's.

"How did you sleep?", asked Mrs. Craw. "I had a wonderful sleep." said Johnny. He
ate his breakfast slowly, enjoying it immensely. Something, a feeling like the night
before told Johnny he should go. But everything felt so good here he didn't want to
leave. He wanted this to last forever. He finished eating and hung around for awhile.
Mrs.Craw and Johnny started talking. The topic of his parents came up again. THAT was
the only drawback of staying here, thought Johnny, having to lie to her. "I'd love to have
a little boy like you.", she said, "You're so sweet." "Yea, yea.", muttered Johnny,
"but please cut out the sweet talking, Mrs.Craw. I'm not as good as you think." "Oh,
really! Why don't you tell me about it then." Johnny hesitated, "Well, Mrs.Craw, you
should know it's completely confidential. I really can't tell you." "Oh, I see. But there
must be something you can tell a little old lady for a bit of amusement."

"Well...I suppose I could tell you about the time my friend, Peeker and I got caught.",
thought Johnny aloud. Mrs.Craw was watching him intently willing him to go on. " It
was a beautiful sunny day in summer just past. Peeker and I were out walking around our
block completely bored. Then we met up with Miss Snot. Her real is Betty Cocker but we
call her Mrs. Snot cause she's not very nice and her boyfriend is even meaner. Anyway we
was just walking, minding our own business and we came upon her. She was standing
under a tree fanning herself. We didn't bother saying anything to her ‘til she said
something to us. She must've been in a real bad mood cause she threw a crude remark at
us for no reason. Well, neither Peeker nor I were going to take that so we stopped in
front of her. Instead of saying something mean back we complimented her on lowering
herself enough to talk to us. Her face turned kind of pink. She said she wouldn't have if
she had anyone else to talk with. But her boyfriend just broke up with her, see, and she
was willing to talk to anyone. Now talking to Betty for more than 5 minutes without
howling insults is something new to me. But of course it didn't last. We said we had
something to do and we had to go. She got mean again and said we was nothing but
dirtbags. Peeker yelled something over his shoulder. I don't remember what it was. Then
she said, as I'll never forget it, "You lousy fools. Maybe you should think about moving
cause you won't be able to show you crummy faces again in town. You lying cheatin'
jerks!" We turned back to confront her. "What did ya mean by that?" we asked. I was
scared she had found one of our secrets and was going to tell the world. Peeker looked
worried too, I could tell although no one else would have known it. "You little scum bags
are completely bored. You have been all day. You lied to me about having to go. The
whole town goin' to know what scumbags you are, lying to me, Betty Cocker! I've been
watching you all day. I know what you've been doing."

Well, we'd had enough of this so we just walked away. We was about half a block away
when I saw her boyfriend coming from the yard. I watched as they kissed. I nudged
Peeker's shoulder. He turned and looked. We broke in to a run and I yelled back as
loud as I could "Hey, Betty! Nice ex boyfriend you're kissing!" Even from where I was
I could see her face turn pink. I laughed some more and kept going." Johnny stopped his
story. "Is that it?" asked Mrs. Craw. "Nay, there's more. That was just the first. It
was later that night the real fun began. It was after dark. We waited ‘til we saw her
parents leave for a party then we went to her yard and stood under the elm tree there.
We could see her silhouette in the window. She might be mean but she has a beautiful
body. I don't know how long we stayed there looking and watching her. She didn't have a
blind in her window. It was when her light went out that we took action. I stood under the
tree and sang loudly and a little off note. I hadn't even finished the 3rd verse when
she came flying to the window. She opened it and looked out. "Hi Betty!" I said. Then
continued singing. Some of the neighbors' lights was coming on since I sounded like a
half dead tom cat. But as soon as they saw a boy under Betty's tree, they closed the
windows and turned out their lights. "She kept telling me to stop it but I ignored
her. I had to stop after awhile because my voice was hoarse. But it didn't stop me. I
declared my love for her to the whole neighborhood. This went on for quite some time
til I was sure there wasn't a person around who didn't know. Then I pretended she had
broke my heart and left. Of course the next day she denied everything. Which just
made a bigger fool of herself cause everyone had heard it all."

Johnny laughed and Mrs. Craw did too. "What did your parents say when they found
out?" asked Mrs.Craw still laughing. Johnny stopped. His face turned serious. He hadn't
expected this. What excuse was he going to give? What was he going to say? Something
told him to tell her the truth but he couldn't. He knew he never could. "My parents don't
know." he said, which was the truth. He didn't know anything about his parents and they
knew nothing about him. Suddenly he didn't want to stay here anymore. He needed to get
out. Hesitantly, he said, Well, I should be getting home now. You know, so they don't
worry. Thanks for letting me stay overnight and for breakfast." He grabbed his coat and
said bye on his way out the door. As he turned back to look at her house he saw her
worried face looking out. The poor old lady, he thought, I wish I didn't have to lie to
her. She's so nice to me and all I do in return is lie to her.

The feeling returned again. The feeling that he should hurry to his home. That he
should have left a long time ago. It was some time around lunch, he guessed. Although it
wasn't his stomach that told him thanks to Mrs. Craw. He turned the corner into the ally.
Everything was quiet and normal to his relief. Everything seemed fine. He walked over
to his box and looked inside. He drew back when he saw the tiny girl curled in the back
of the box. She looked small and cold in his box. He shook her gently. She woke startled.
She looked at him fearfully. "I won't hurt you.", he reassured her. What am I going to
do with her, he wondered. She shivered. "Are you cold?" he asked gently. She looked at
him for a minute then nodded her head. He wrapped his arms around her, rubbing her,
trying to warm her. He looked around frantically, "Where did you come from?", he asked
her. She didn't say anything. He had to figure out something quickly. He couldn't just
boot her out. No matter how mean the world had been to him he couldn't leave this tiny
girl to fend for herself. He knew what that was like and didn't wish it on anyone.

He helped her crawl out of the box. "What's your name?" he asked her. She looked
at him intently for a few minutes, "Are you going to tell anyone you found me?", she
asked, "I don't want to go back there." A tear rolled down her cheek. "I won't tell anyone
if you don't want me to." Johnny promised not fully understanding what he had done.
She was silent again. He just held her tight. There was something about her that he
bonded with. Something he couldn't let go of. He didn't understand it but it was there.
"My name is Eve." she told him. "Where did you come from?" he asked. "I use to live
on Saint Eve's street. But I don't anymore." she added sadly. "Why are you here? Out in
the cold?" "I left home." she said but he sensed there was more. He waited for her to
continue but she didn't.

There is only one place he could take her. One place he knew she would be taken care
of. Mrs.Craw's. She would take care of her but he'd have to tell her the truth. He would
have to tell Mrs. Craw he found the girl in his cardboard house. He'd have to tell her
he'd lied to her. "Would you like something to eat?" he asked her. She nodded her head.
Together they walked to his favorite place to eat. A corner shop named Quick's. He knew
the owner Pat. Pat saw him come in with the girl. Johnny walked over to the counter with
her. "Two cheese burgers, please Pat." Pat complied. "Who's the girl?" he asked. "I
found her in my house." said Johnny. Pat chuckled, "That box you call a home. Poor
girl!" he paused and looked at her. "What are you going to do with her? You know, I
could use a new kitchen maid." "Pat, really. She's only a kid.", Pat shrugged his
shoulders. "Just lay off.", Johnny told him. Pat gave them their food and left to serve the
other customers. Johnny and Eve ate in silence. After Eve had finished her last bite,
Johnny turned to her seriously. "Eve, I want to help you, ok? But you need to trust me.
I'm going to take you to my friend's house. She's a really nice woman who will bath and
feed you, ok? Can I tell her about you so she can help?" Eve started to shake her head
no, then changed her mind. "If you promise she won't make me go back there." "I
promise." swore Johnny. He thought about the upcoming event and what he had to do. It
wasn't going to be easy.

Johnny stood on Mrs. Craw's doorstep. He gathered up the courage to ring the doorbell.
Eve was standing behind him. He took a deep long breath and tried to relax. He pressed
his finger to the bell. Mrs Craw opened the door. "Johnny dear, what are you doing back
here?!" "Mrs. Craw, I need your help." He stepped aside so she could see what he was
hiding. Eve looked up at the lady standing there, "My Dear! Where did she come from?"
"It's really a long story, Mrs. Craw. Can we come in, warm her up then I'll tell you
everything?" promised Johnny. He could feel his eyes fill with tears. He couldn't help
it. He was so scared she would say no. Instead she reached out her hand to Eve. Eve
accepted, much to the relief of Johnny. Without a word, Mrs. Craw took Eve upstairs to
the bathroom and turned on the hot water. Johnny paced back and forth in front of the
door while they were inside. It was 30 minutes later when Eve came out freshly washed.
She was wearing one of Mrs. Craw's t-shirts. Her hair was brushed back into a lopsided
ponytail. Johnny was amazed. He gave her a hug. "Mrs. Craw said I could sleep in her bed
tonight.", Eve told him. "I think you're very lucky.", replied Johnny. "You go have a
nap now and I'll see you when you get up." He kissed her cheek. She nodded her head and
followed Mrs. Craw to her bedroom. Johnny went downstairs to wait . He put on the kettle
for coffee. Mrs. Craw soon came downstairs. Johnny had the coffee ready and placed a
cup in front of each of them. Mrs.Craw said nothing but waited patiently. "I owe you
a big apology, Mrs. Craw. I have been lying to since we met." Johnny took a deep breath,
"I have been lying to you about my parents. I don't have any. Well, I mean...I do but I
haven't seen them in years except the occasional look.. I left them when I was younger.
Truthfully, I ran away from home. I never went back." Okay, that was the hardest part,
thought Johnny. Mrs.Craw looked very serious. He continued, "I live in an ally at the
end of Saint Eve's street. I sleep inside a cardboard box there. I find work to do during
the days to make money for my supper. I've been living like this for almost a year now.
And I'm happy. Up until a few weeks ago, that is. Then I started spending more time
here." He thought Mrs.Craw was going to cry. "It had nothing to do with you.", he added
quickly to reassure her, "...kind of...I mean...heck, it had everything to do with you.
After the first few times I yearned to stay here every night. All the time. I yearned for
a warm bed in a warm house and....and....someone like you, someone to love me all the
time. I love you, Mrs.Craw and I beg mercy for my sins and only pray you'll help me this
one time." Johnny didn't stop the tears as they slid down his cheeks. Mrs.Craw came
around the table and wrapped him in her loving arms. They held each other until
Johnny's world had stopped spinning. Mrs. Craw had her hands on his shoulders and
ooked him in the eyes when she said, "Johnny, my dear child. You are forgiven although
there was never really anything to forgive you for. For I too, have a confession to make. I
knew. I knew all along that you were lying to me. I didn't know why. I didn't know
exactly what you weren't telling me either but I knew it had to do with your parents.
The first night you stayed you didn't even think about calling your parents. You wouldn't
talk about them." She gave him another hug, "This morning I tried like I have so many
times to gently pull the truth from you but you refused. This morning you ran. Do you
forgive me for prying where I didn't belong?"

"How can I be mad at you for caring about me?", sobbed Johnny. Mrs.Craw smiled and
Johnny smiled too. He had never felt so close to anyone before. Mrs. Craw had never
been married. She had never had kids. She had never needed someone before. But she
needed Johnny now. And his friend. "So what are we going to do with the girl?", she
asked, wiping her eyes. "I don't know. I found her in my house when I went home. I
didn't know what to do so I took her to Quick's and got her something to eat. Then I
brought her here. She doesn't talk much. I don't even know anything about her."
"Where did she come from?" "I found her sleeping in my box. She looked like she had
slept there all night but I haven't seen her before. I don't think she has been out of
her house long. Wherever she came from. Maybe she'll tell us later." "We'll have to
find out one way or another. There must be someone who's missing her right now."
Johnny grabbed her arm. "We can't take her back! We can't." Mrs. Craw placed her other
hand on his. "Johnny, We have to. We have no choice." "We can't! I... I promised. I
promised her she didn't have to go back. She wouldn't have come otherwise. She doesn't
want to go back." he added sadly, " Just like me."

"We'll see what we can do.", promised Mrs. Craw "But I'm not promising that she won't
have to go back." Johnny hugged her, "Thanks. I'm so lucky to have you." "So am I."
replied Mrs. Craw. "My Dear Johnny. You've grown up so much." "Maybe I always was
but was trying to hide it.", replied Johnny, "But I do feel more grown up." "We'll wait
til she wakes then we will take her out shopping, ok?" suggested Mrs. Craw. "And maybe
find out where she came from." Johnny and Mrs. Craw were sitting in the living room
sharing a quiet moment, drinking coffee. The first two cups had grown cold. Johnny
nodded his agreement. His eyes trailed to the door. She was standing there very quietly,
watching him. "Eve." he said her name no more than a whisper. To him she looked
beautiful. His heart filled with joy. "Come in Eve.", he offered. She came towards
him and sat perched on the edge of the sofa a short distance from him. Her eyes had a
sadness in them still but fear was much more. Johnny picked up her hand. "Eve, this is
my good friend Mrs. Craw." He introduced them formally. "Would you like to go
shopping with us?" She looked from one to the other then nodded. "Ok.". Johnny said
gently. "Let's go up and see if we can find something for you to wear." They stood.
Johnny looked at Mrs. Craw. "You have the floor.", she said in reply. Still holding
Eve's hand he took her upstairs. Mrs.Craw followed. "Do you still have some of my
old clothes?", Johnny asked her. "Yes. I patched your trousers." "Ok, those should
fit." Eventually they found her something to wear. She looked rather pleased as she
looked at herself in the mirror. Johnny liked it too.

Two hours later they sat on a bench outside a line of stores. Johnny was holding
3 large boxes on his lap with one hand and holding Eve's hand with the other.
Mrs. Craw was sitting on the other side of him. She looked tired. But she was smiling.
Johnny was happier than he ever had been as long as he could remember. With only one
nagging little problem on his mind. Losing Eve. Eve fidgeted on the bench beside him.
"What's wrong?", Johnny asked her. "I don't know.", she said.

After the long afternoon Eve was more willing to talk and less hesitant to speak.
Every single moment he was loving and caring for her more. They had gone from shop to
shop looking for new outfits for her. They had found a really nice dress she could
use for Christmas and a couple other outfits for everyday use. "Johnny?", she asked
softly. He looked at her. "I know this street. This is where my parents use to live."
The two simple statements said a lot and forced a lot more questions. "What do you
mean?" he asked. She picked up his hand and pulled him to the sidewalk. He looked at
Mrs. Craw to let her know she was taking him somewhere. Eve pulled him down about
two blocks. She stopped in front of a tall building, "We use to live on the third floor.
My mom and my da and me. But then they went away." "What do you mean by ‘away'?",
asked Johnny. "Dave and Cindy said Mom and Dad went to Heaven." Johnny was
dumbstruck. His little Eve was an orphan. "Who's Dave and Cindy?", he had to know.
"They are two old people who came to get me. They're nice but they don't love me." An
old couple. Dave and Cindy. To take care of a little girl. She felt unloved. That's
why she ran away. But he had to ask that too. "Is that why you ran away? Because you
felt unloved?" Eve nodded. He pulled her close. They stood like that for a long time while
the snow flakes started to fall around them.

Johnny and Eve walked back to the bench where they'd left Mrs. Craw. She was still
sitting there watching them rather worriedly. Johnny sat back down beside her with
Eve. "We found her guardians.", he told Mrs. Craw. "Oh good!", she exclaimed, "Maybe
I can talk to them." "For what?", asked Johnny, "I promised Eve she didn't have to
go back." "Let's go talk." suggested Mrs.Craw.

She took them into a cafe and bought them each a soft drink. "There's something
we really need to talk about. I've been wanting to talk to you, Johnny, a long time
about it but it would have been rather awkward. Johnny, I would like it very much if
you would live with me. And Eve too. I'm a lonely little lady and Johnny, you've been
like the son I've never had." Mrs. Craw smiled a little sad smile. "This is a little
shocking but I don't even have to think about it. Of course I will. I've thought about
it a lot lately." Johnny looked at Eve, "Will you come too?". "I'd go anywhere with
you.", she replied. "It felt right all along, Mrs. Craw.", Johnny told her, "Staying
at your house, sleeping, eating, your company." "It felt right with me too.", confessed
Mrs. Craw, "But everything won't be the same now. You know that right?" "I know. You
have to be my mother now too. Our mother."

Johnny sat with Eve in a cafe. They sat drinking sodas. Eve's head rested against his
shoulder. "Do you really think everything will be okay?", she asked, "I mean really?"
Johnny kissed her forehead, "Yes I do. I really do." She sighed. Mrs.Craw had left
over an hour ago. She had gone up to talk to Eve's guardians. She was going to try to
convince them to let Eve stay with her and Johnny.

Mrs. Craw wobbled into the cafe. She sat down wearily beside Eve. "What happened?",
asked Johnny anxiously. Mrs. Craw sighed, "We all had a very long talk up there.",
she started, "And Eve's guardians agreed to let Eve stay with us." She silenced their
outburst, "On one condition. That Eve goes to visit them regularly.", she smiled. Eve
hugged her than Johnny tightly. Tears streamed down her face. Mrs. Craw's eyes filled
with tears too but they didn't spill over.

Together the three of them walked home together. The first place Johnny had ever been
able to call home. With a new family he cared about. And a life that wasn't filled with
long cold nights and lonely days. He'd never been happier. Maybe he'd start liking this
Christmas season as everyone else did.

©1999 by bluebear

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