“Audrey look!” Violet stood gawking at a store window a few paces ahead of her sister, Nina, and I. When we caught up with her I understood why she was so star stuck. There, on a high shelf in the store was the most gorgeous doll I had ever seen. She wore a cream colored gown, and had the most angelic face; it put the other dolls in the shop to shame. I knew then, that, that was my birthday doll.

“Nina, I would like to have that doll.” Nina led us into the store. All four walls of the store were lined with different dolls and accessories. Nina went immediately to the clerk and discussed my wishes with him. I watched him go and retrieve the doll from the shelf, and into a pretty little box. Nina paid the man, and we all strolled out again into the sunshine.

Nina, pulled her coat closer to her self as she said, “Audrey, I think it is about time we headed home.” I agreed it was getting pretty chilly for a late February day. We went and found Robert where we had planned to meet him. We took Lily and Violet home and then headed to our house. We couldn’t stay because I had promised Papa I would be home by that time.

“Audrey!” Lexi May was watching television in the living room. “I didn’t know when you were going to get home.”

“Yeah,” I said as I flopped onto the couch next to her. “It seems like it should be like 9:00 at night, but it is only 3:00. What did you do today?” I asked as she changed channels.

“Charlie and I have been hanging out today. He went to get a board game from the hall closet. You can play if you want. We have wanted to see mom but we aren’t allowed. Doctors have been coming and going out of there all day” She motioned her head toward mom and dad’s bedroom off to the rear-left. “But Samantha has been out all day somewhere, Claire has been out and about too, only she is home now, in her room. Jeffery, he is um… last I saw he went out back to relax.”

“Well, playing that game does sound enticing, but I need to go change.” I said as I slowly got off the couch and went off to the right, to my bedroom.

When the door was shut behind me, I nearly fell onto my bed. But, I held my self up and changed into some more comfy clothes. I decided that with nothing better to do, I might go out into the living room to play that board game with Lexi May and Charlie. As I reached the end of the hall that attached to the living room, I could hear muffled screams coming from across the living room. I entered the living room and sat down near Lexi May and the screamed became louder.

“Lexi May, what on earth are those horrible screams?” I asked her

Just as she was about to answer, a blood curdling shrill shook the walls of the room. The screams, I realized were coming from mom and dad’s room.

“I have no clue,” She looked off toward the room. “But something is sure going on.” I tried to focus my attention away from the ear piercing sounds echoing out of that room, and on the board game in front of me. For close to two hours the noises continued, until finally they ended, and their was peace again in our home.

The dinner bell rang and we all went and gathered in the kitchen for the nightly meal. Samantha had just arrived home moments ago, and decided to grace our table with her presence. We all sat in our proper seating, the ends of our table, where mother and father would have sat, now empty. We ate our meal in total silence, no one asked where dad was, it was understood that her was probably with mom. As I was finishing my plate of pasta, the door swung open and father entered. His face was drawn and pale, his eyes sunken back and withdrawn. He practically fell into his seat. He was served some coffee and his dinner. All six of us children just stared at him, waiting for him to speak. Finally, Charlie asked the question we had all been thinking.

“Where’s mum?” He said.

After a period of silence father replied, “She’s resting.”

Feeling a bit courageous, Lexi May asked a question. “What was all that screaming?” She asked and father’s eye twitched.

Father took a long sip of his coffee as he was planning his reply. Finally he replied, “You have a new baby brother.” He sighed.

All of our faces broke out into smiles and congratulations.

“What is his name?” Claire asked.

“Yeah.” Lexi agreed.

Father took another long sip of his coffee, and as if in slow motion, set down on the table. “His name is Paul.”

“Paul!” Samantha cried. “What a nice name.”

“Yeah, it is a wonderful name.” Claire said . The rest of the family began in a furry of chatter amongst themselves, while papa slowly rose from his chair and slipped out the door. I hurried to follow him.

“Dad,” I called as I jogged to catch up to him. I wrapped my arms around his waist. “I love you.”

He hugged be back, “I love you too Audrey.”

“Papa, when can I see momma?” I asked.

“When she feels better.” He replied. He looked so sad.

“Is she sick?” I asked.

“Audrey, your momma had a hard time with Paul, so she is very tired and weak. It’ll take a while until she is back to her usual self. Now you sweetheart best get off to bed soon, you do have school tomorrow.” He bent down and kissed the top of my head.

“Papa, are you still going to take me to work with you on Tuesday?” I asked.

“Of course!” He smiled, and just for that second, his eyes held their old sparkle. He went on into his room and I walked back over to mine.

I flopped onto my bed, and glanced over to the clock on my nightstand. What was that on top of it? I reached over and carefully lifted the piece of paper off the clock. It was an envelope with my name written on the front. Oh yes, this was the card that had came in the package on Friday. I carefully undid the lip of the envelope, and pulled out a pretty card. The inside was a not that read:

Dearest Audrey,

How are you? How is school going? It is hard to believe that you are now ten years old. Your grandpa and I pray for you everyday. Send up you school picture when you get the chance, we’d love to put it on our refrigerator. Maybe you and your family can come visit us up here sometime. Hope your birthday is full of fun and enjoyment. Remember that Jesus loves you and so do we.

Love, Grandma and Grandpa Locke

They always sent me nice things and nice cards. I had never met them nor did mother ever speak of them. I reached over again, and grabbed the parcel from my nightstand. The box was wrapped in simple brown paper, and was maybe 6inches squared. Should I open it? My birthday was still nine days away, but I couldn’t keep not knowing what was inside this precious box. I began to untie the ribbon on the outside. No. I set it on my nightstand again, and picked up my book off the shelf underneath it. I tried my hardest to keep my attention on the book and not on the lurking box next to me. I picked it up again and walked over to my dresser and set it in a drawer. “There,” I said to myself. “Now I can’t see it and so I won’t think of it.” I went over to my window and sat in the seat beneath it, my favorite seat in my whole room. I looked over to the stables; I could just make out a few horses in the twilight. Though I tried as hard as I could, I couldn’t stop thinking about that gift. It is just one present. I reasoned with my self. This way I could send them a nice thank you card right away. I walked over and touched the handle of the drawer, its imprint pressing in my palm. No. I pulled my hand off the handle and put it at the side of my dress. My mind was racing; I wanted to open the gift. But something inside of my fought against it. I reached down again and pulled the dresser drawer open with a yank. I looked down; there among my socks was the brown parcel. I picked it up and held it in my hand. I quickly tore off the ribbon and pulled off the paper. I opened the box and pulled out all the tissue paper. I undid the wrapping on the first gift and looked at the small glass doll I now held. She was beautiful, with a pink dress and in her tiny hands she held a gold pained number ten. These grandparents mailed me one of these each and every birthday. I carefully walked over and placed this doll alongside all the others in my glass enclosed case beside my window seat. Each of my sisters had a collection of these, Samantha’s almost full and mine just taking shape. Slowly I walked over to my bed and pulled out the last item in the box. Under the paper was a pretty box with my name written in gold lettering on the cover, and underneath my name was my name’s meaning: Noble Strength. I opened the box, and inside laid a beautiful gold cross necklace.

“Miss Audrey, you awake in here?” I jumped the sound of another’s voice. I quickly hid the box under my covers as Elsie entered.

“Yes Elsie I am awake.” I replied, as I remembered why I was in here to begin with. To go to bed. I looked at the clock. It was past 10:00.

“Miss, I saw your light. Are you feeling alright?” Elsie always thought of my best interest.

“Oh yeah Elsie, I am feeling fine. I am going to go to bed now.” I quickly threw on my pajamas and crawled back into my bed.

“Ok Miss. Goodnight.” Elsie said as she turned off my light and closed my door. After I was sure that she was gone, I turned on my nightstand lamp and pulled out my jewelry box. I gently caressed the feeling of the soft wood beneath my fingers. I then carefully carried the box, with the necklace safely inside it, to the top of my dresser and placed it there. Then I climbed back into my bed and snuggled deep under the covers.