Evidently, a very unique idea, from Mr. Davis’ response.
When Kizzie returned the next day to direct Mr. Davis to enact the plan and asked if he could have it drawn up by Christmas, he reluctantly agreed. Mrs. Cappy at the store back home had sold two plots of land when Kizzie worked for her, so part of the process held a little familiarity.
But the extra part? Well, at least Mr. Davis seemed to know what to do with that particular wording.
So it was with a great deal of excitement that Kizzie showed up to the Chappells’ house on Christmas Day, bundled in a coat and her new bonnet, with Charlie in her arms and a flurry of snow all around her.
The children welcomed her into a house that smelled of cinnamon and sugar. A small fir tree stood in the corner of the sitting room, decorated with pine cones, ribbons, and a few delicate crocheted snowflakes.
“Mama taught me how to make them,” Ruth said with a grin. “So while she was busy making dresses for a few folks, I practiced making these.”
Ruth's progress showed in the different snowflakes on the tree, moving from less detailed to more as her skills improved. “They're the prettiest things I've ever seen on a Christmas tree, Ruth. Perfect.”
“You can't mean that, Miss Kizzie.” She lowered her gaze, her cheeks darkening. “You seen the Morgans’ tree, and they even use candles to light theirs.”
“But they don't have nothin’ this special.” She touched one of the snowflakes. “When your mama and daddy start their shop, you ought to make these to sell. I reckon there'd be folks waitin’ in line to buy ’em. Especially rich folks.”
Ruth's eyes grew wide with her smile. “And I'm learnin’ to sew like mama too. She says there's money to be had in ready-made dresses.”
“Well, I'm sure your mama will make dresses just as fine if not better than the ones in the dress shop in town.” And Kizzie wouldn't mind showing that mean woman up a bit either. Enough to knock her off her high horse a little.
“I carved the birds.” Quiet Elias shifted closer, gesturing to the tree.
Kizzie took in the various designs. Simple, but each unique. “I don't think I've ever seen such a fine tree in all my livin’ days.”
“Are y'all gonna stand around talkin’ all day, or are you gonna eat?” Nella called from the kitchen where a veritable feast crowded on a new and longer table.
Nella beamed, clearly delighted with the new piece of furniture. “Joshua done gave me my present just in time for Christmas dinner.”
And with a wide grin from Joshua, who looked as gussied up as the rest of the family in their Sunday best, they all gathered around the table for ham, potatoes, beans, bread, corn, two different pies, and a whole lot of laughter.
After everybody had their fill of Nella's tasty cooking, Joshua directed them to go sit around the Christmas tree.
Nella plucked a wakeful Charlie from Kizzie's arms.
“You might as well hand him over a while.” She snuggled Charlie close, her smile brimming. “Ain't no use hoggin’ all that baby-love to yourself.”
Isaac grabbed Kizzie's hand and led her to a rocking chair between the tree and the fireplace, his eyes alight.
One bulky package, wrapped in brown paper, lay at the foot of the tree, simple twine tying it together. Another oddly-shaped one stood beside it. She couldn't make out any more, but she figured the family had already opened their gifts first thing this morning like her family used to do.
Maybe their gifts had looked a whole lot like the ones she knew from back home. Simple things. A woodcraft from daddy. An orange. Maybe even a soda pop. A pair of socks and, if things were really good that year money-wise, cloth for a dress or ribbons for the girls’ hair. A book for Laurel. Paintbrushes for Maggie. A new knife for Jeb or Isom.
If she closed her eyes, she could see their faces. Hear their laughter.
“It's our custom to read the Bethlehem story after dinner on Christmas,” Joshua said, drawing her attention back to him as he took his place in a kitchen chair he'd pulled into the room. His quiet demeanor belied his size as he bent over the Bible cradled in his hands.
The movement, the gentle way he read the words of the story, drew Kizzie's thoughts to a stop. She'd never seen Charles read the Bible, or talk about it. In fact, she couldn't imagine him taking Joshua's humble approach and gently leading his family in a story Kizzie was only now beginning to understand.
The magnitude of Mary's call. The vastness of God's love come to Earth. The shocking impossibility of a king in a stable. Her throat closed with emotion. A hint to what He'd do in the future—the impossible task of taking on the filth, brokenness, and outcasts of eternity and rescuing them.
Like her.
Her smile spread as it had been doing over the last few days. How could she not smile? No matter what happened to her, no matter how hard the choices and consequences, she was loved forever.
Completely safe in His care.
And she belonged to Him no matter where she called home.
