Kelsey's Christmas – Part 2

Enjoy part 2 of Kelsey's Christmas!

    “Home with a cold.”
    “Oh, I’m sorry. Is that why she wasn’t in school yesterday?”
    “Yep. She’s on the mend, or so she says, but Mom’s keeping her at home today. So, what were you girls doing so far from home without coats?”
    “It was so nice earlier,” Kelsey began, “we didn’t think we’d need coats today.”
    “And we wouldn’t have,” interrupted Lottie, “if I hadn’t wanted to see what sort of Christmas decorations the houses in North Hills had. We were at the old folks’ home visiting.”
    Keeping silent, Kelsey let her sister and Wally chat. Lottie had no trouble talking with anyone, even if she hardly knew them. The car bumped over the railway tracks and into the lower class district of town. Pulling up before the small two-story house, it came to a stop.
    “There you are ladies,” Wally said with another grin. “I hear we might be getting snow soon.”
    Lottie gave a little squeal. “Oh, I hope so! Thanks for the ride, Wally.”
    “Thank you,” Kelsey echoed, adding, “and tell Zoe I hope she’s feeling better soon.”
    “I will. See you on Monday!”
    With a smile, Kelsey gently shut the car door and hurried after Lottie. She saw several faces clustered around the window and knew her sisters had probably been looking for them.

*

    “Kels, wait up!”
    Kelsey stopped and moved to the less crowded side of the school hall. Classes were over until after New Year’s and the students were all eager to get home and forget about studies for a time. She saw Zoe trying to reach her, but her way was constantly interrupted by first one student and then another, for Zoe was popular in school.
    When at last she reached Kelsey’s side, she sighed. “Sometimes,” she whispered, “I wish I was like you and could go practically unnoticed anywhere.”
    Kelsey shook her head. “You’d hate it. You’re more like Lottie. What did you want?”
    “Huh? Oh, can you believe Christmas is a week from today? I’m so glad school is finally over. I’ve been longing to drive out and look at Christmas lights, but Mom first wouldn’t let me because of my cold, and then because of all our tests. But now I’m free!”
    The girls slowly made their way after the crowd, coats on and books in their arms.
    “Would you and your sisters like to go too? Wally and I were thinking of going tonight.”
    “Tonight?”
    “Uh huh. Tomorrow is Saturday, so we won’t have to be up for church, and I just can’t wait until next week! Oh, please, Kels, can’t you all come?” Zoe bWittenmyered.
    Giving a slight laugh, Kelsey looked at her friend questioningly. “Zoe, there are eight of us girls. Even if Lauren does something with Mike, that’s seven of us. We wouldn’t fit in Wally’s car.”
    Hugging her books close, Zoe practically beamed. “That’s where the fun comes in! Wally was going to borrow one of our uncle’s pickup trucks. We’ll put hay in the back and get lots of blankets. Then we can ride in the back and look at the stars and the lights and sing Christmas songs and–Lottie!” Zoe broke off to call across the yard and beckon.
    Kelsey tried to frown. “That’s not fair, Zoe. You didn’t even give me a chance to answer before you called for reinforcements.”
    “Well, you can accept before she comes.”
    “But–”
    “Hi, Zoe!” Lottie jogged up. “Do you have something planned and Kelsey won’t agree?”
    “Lott!”
    “I sure do.” And Zoe spilled her plan. “Want to go?”
    “Do I? Of course! I’ve been wanting to look at the Christmas lights all month and haven’t gotten to. Mike has had to work late several times, and Dad is too tired after working.”
    “Zoe, we have to check with Mom and Dad–”
    “Sure, give me a call, okay? And Kels, please, please, please, try to make it work. The snow has mostly melted and the roads are clear.”
    “I’ll try,” Kelsey agreed. It did sound like fun, and she knew the younger girls would be as wild over the plan as Lottie was. Perhaps they could go.
    Walking home, Lottie chattered non-stop about Zoe’s plan, and the moment they entered the warm house, she hurried off to find Mom.

    It was a bit confusing that evening. Mrs. McKenzie had given her permission to go as long as Lauren went along. But Lauren and Mike were going to go out together. Lottie spent time on the phone with Zoe, and Lauren spent some time on the phone with Mike. Zoe’s mother even called to talk to Mrs. McKenzie about the excursion. Kelsey let the others do the planning. It was all the same to her if they went or not. She knew that if they didn’t go that night, Mike and Dad would find a way to let all the girls see the lights and the tree in the town square. Finally everything was worked out, and Lottie was overjoyed.
    Supper was eaten quickly and then the girls bundled up in warm clothes with coats, hats and scarves.
    “There may not be much snow on the ground right now,” Mr. McKenzie said, smiling at his daughters, “but the weatherman on the radio said we might get more snow tonight. And riding in the back of an open truck is going to be cold.”
    Kelsey tied Belle’s scarf, pulled Shannon’s hat lower and helped both little sisters get their mittens on before putting on her own coat. She expected that Belle, who was only six, would fall asleep during the ride, perhaps even seven-year-old Shannon as well.
    A horn honked outside, and moments later a rap sounded on the door. Lottie rushed to fling it open.
    “We’re almost ready. Come in,” she urged Zoe and Wally. “Lauren! Mike!” she shouted toward the kitchen, “the truck’s here!”

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