Christmas Elf

Part 2

"But mother, I tried." I reasoned in the dinner room before the family meal. I could see my sisters watching in front the doorway, my daughter in their arms. My father stood tall and stern behind my mother. Her dark eyes and red hair glared at me.

"You take your bags and leave, take the deer and leave, die in those forests." she finally snapped. I had been waiting for this for years. The moment everyone wanted me dead. I knew everyone thought it, I was just waiting for them to say it.

That night under the candle light I packed. My tools, my clothes, my whole life was in red sacks and bundles. The reindeer were ready, hooked onto the sled, eight in order, two rows. I could hear footsteps shuffle, and beds creak. Soon I saw the light break into my room. I never got a room upstairs, I was in the basement, separated from the house, from the family. In the door light I saw her small silhouette. She wore her best winter clothes in place of her night gown. She held a small bundle with her belongings in it.

"Hello Holy, what have you all dressed up for dear?" I stood from my bed.

"Where are you going?" She placed her bag with mine and reached for me.

"I'm going out on an errand little dove. You no need to worry. I will be back tomorrow I promise." I kneeled to her height and picked her up into my lap. She placed her gloved hands on my cheek.

"You lie. You are leaving, and I want to come with you. I may be seven but I am no idiot papa. You plan to leave and find a new home, take me with you." she pleaded. She was correct, in all aspects. Sometimes I wonder how she got her confidence. She spent all her days with my family, I would assume she hated me from their words.

"Then quietly pack your clothes and meet me at the front door, I'm taking you on an adventure my dove." I kissed her head and sent her off. I could hear her little steps above me and then the small steps made their way back down. When she appeared at my door I was grabbing some bags and leading her to the sled.

Soon everything was loaded into the sled and I placed my daughter in a blanketed warm seat. I could do nothing but admire how she relaxed and soon fell back to her slumbers warm and at peace. Small snowflakes kissed her wrapped up face, the blues and purples coated with a white fur as we began our trek away from our home, our childhoods.