Saving Christmas

Chapter 7

A snowstorm. That was what was wrong. The weather forecasters predicted a snowstorm and advised everyone to stay inside. No one knew how long this was going to be.

I was so devastated. Did this mean that all our hard work was for nothing? I hoped that the Christmas play would not be cancelled.

"In spite of what has happened, the Christmas play will come on", Susan said.

Everyone cheered. including the little children.

"This also means we will have to continue working. This will give us an opportunity to polish everything up. We'll get to work as soon as we're allowed to come out", Susan added.

Everyone left the church to their respective homes. I was so bummed by what had happened but I knew it was only for the best. There had to be a good reason why all this happened. Right? Right? I sighed. I knew life would only get more and more boring. My guess was correct. The two weeks that followed were the most boring two weeks of my life. I continued designing the costumes for the play, putting finishing touches here and there, as Susan had advised. Susan called for a meeting at the Sweetwatwer Community Church. I had to take the car because of the snowstorm. On my way to the church, I saw the effects of the snowstorm. Some buildings were caved in, trees had fallen down, signboards were also on the ground and the place was in a state of havoc. I sighed. I knew that it would take weeks for this mess to be cleared up. Which means I would have to wait longer. I hated waiting! We were in the class once again. Susan cleared her throat and immediately, the whole place was quiet.

"This time, I have both good news and bad news", Susan said.

"The good news is that the snowstorm is officially over. The bad news is that because of the wreckage the snowstorm has caused, the Christmas play will be further postponed but I can assure you that the Christmas play will definitely come on", Susan added.

"Are you sure that the Christmas play will come on? From the look of things, I don't think it will", a little girl asked Susan.

Everyone turned to look at Susan, expecting an answer from her. Susan hesitated before answering.

"It has to come on. We've come too far and we've worked so hard. Just keep praying and believing. I'm sure it will all work out", Susan said with determination in her voice and dismissed us.

As I was going home, I thought about what the little girl had said. It was true. From the way things were going, it didn't look like there was going to be a Christmas play at all but I kept hoping and believing that everything would work out.

For about three weeks, the whole town of Sweetwater was involved in cleaning the place up after the snowstorm. Unfortunately, I was also involved. I thought only the adults were supposed to be involved in all this. I was more comfortable with staying in my bedroom. While I was helping shovel the snow on the sidewalk, I bumped into Alfie. I was distracted by Kevin, who was just about to pelt me with snowballs.

"Hey! Look where you are going!" Alfie said.

"I'm so sorry. I...." I said but was interrupted because the snowballs Kevin had thrown hit Alfie in the face.

At that moment, I tried not to burst into laughter and helped Alfie up.

"Sorry!" Kevin shouted but I knew that he didn't mean it.

"I'm so sorry, you see, my brother, he was throwing snowballs at me and...." I started to say and bit my lip. It was all I could do to stop myself from laughing.

"It's okay. He has a real sense of humour", Alfie said, brushing some snow off his shorts.

"You're not mad at me?" I asked, surprised.

"No, bit after you're done here, could you help me at my end?" Alfie asked me.

"Sure", I replied and rushed to Kevin to tell him where I was going.

There was an awkward silence as we walked on. Soon, we arrived. Alfie's end was even worse than my end. We worked hard and soon cleared most of the snow.

"I think we're done here. Let's go and grab a bite together", Alfie suggested.

My stomach chose to grumble at that moment. I had forgotten that I hadn't eaten anything since morning.

"I think my stomach has answered that question", I said and we both laughed.

We both got into Alfie's car and headed towards a fast food restaurant nearby. I knew where all this was going but I didn't want to stop it. We soon arrived at the restaurant and soon sat down. There was still an awkward silence. I wanted to break the silence but somehow I couldn't find my voice so I remained quiet.

"I'm sorry", Alfie said.

I looked up. I didn't even realize he had spoken.

"I'm also so sorry that I was bossy and, you know, wanted to force you to do something you didn't want to", I told Alfie.

"That's okay. I get it. You're really passionate about all this, aren't you?" Alfie asked me.

"Yes. Yes, I am", I replied.

"So when are you leaving?" Alfie asked me, changing the subject.

"I don't really know but I'm sure it won't be far from now", I answered.

"I'm going to miss you, you know", Alfie told me.

"I'll miss you too", I told Alfie truthfully.

When I first came to Sweetwater, I thought I would have a boring stay here but I made friends and I was actually having fun.

We spent the rest of the day chatting about random stuff and before I knew it, I had to leave. I got into Alfie's car and soon arrived at home.

"We should hang out sometime before you leave", Alfie told me as he walked me to the door.

"Sure", I said and went inside.

I plopped down on my bed and looked at the ceiling. All of a sudden, I knew everything was going to be alright.