Safe

Chapter 1

Jennifer got out of the white minivan as she looked out into the snow covered street. She looked at all the shops across the street. There was Christmas ornaments everywhere. The lights were lit in the shops, the shops had lights in the big bay windows. Christmas was coming soon! The anticipation was killing her she looked back to the van and the three kids were b-lining it into the Cafe. 

Nina's Cafe was homey with Christmas lights lining each window of the Cafe. There were lots of Customers coming and going and you could smell the scent of Coffee coming down the block to entice you to come in and eat. Nina meet the kids at the door and helped the kids take off there Coats, Hats and mittens. Nicholas, Anne and Brit loved it at the Cafe. They stomped there feet and ran back to the usual booth " There Favorite Spot"!

Nina asked Jennifer how she was doing and Jennifer said I am worn out But this is my favorite time of year, Hot chocolate and peppermints, lights and Christmas cookies, it was all worth it. This time of year makes me glow and light up just like the ornaments around me. She walked back to the booth and met the kids. Nicholas was playing with the place mat and said Mom can I ask Nina for the crayons? As she turned her head Anne and Brit were pointing to a man behind them and Whispering. Nicholas said "MOM", did you here me? Jennifer said yes dear you can get the Crayons. Nicholas ran and slipped and scuffed his arm on the way but that didn't stop him He could be clumsy sometimes.

Nina passed him as she got the usual drinks they ordered. Anne and Brit both had smoothies and Nicholas had Hot Chocolate and Jen always had Coffee with room for cream and sugar. Nina set the drinks down and the kids grabbed there drinks. The kids opened them and went to town on the drinks.

As Jen was waiting on the kids giving there orders. She put two creamers and four packets of sugar in her black Coffee. Wishing she had more energy for the rest of the four hours that were left before the kids would settle in for the night. Nina got around the table and stopped at Jen and said Jen,Jen,Jen oh yes Nina ? I'll have the hash browns, two eggs yoke runny and the wheat toast and 2 slices of bacon.

Nina said, Is that all or do you want something else Before the food cooks? We will take a side of mozzarella stick. Thank you. As the food was cooking and the kids were talking, Jennifer dazed off thinking about how many days till Christmas and how amazing this Christmas will be. She looked outside to all the cars going up and down the street and wondered if there were someone that God would send her this Christmas season?

Last year there was a man that was homeless and her company sponsored money to out this man u in an apartment and paid it for 5 months and helped the man getting a job and start a new life as she just did running from her Ex-husband. This man was doing well now and had Faith that he could so it daily now.  She worked for a Non-profit Organization that specializes in helping families that can't afford lawyers or people to represent them. Sometimes that takes a lot of her time. So for now she was enjoying her time with her beautiful daughters ages 14, 16, and her son 13. 

They had 7 days until Christmas and she was wondering what kind of special things she would do on those days with the kids. Anne wanted to go ice skating. Brit wanted to make a snowman and Nicholas wanted to have a snowball fight and of course there was taking out all the ornaments and finding the right tree, at the right lot. Oh and don't forget the Christmas cookies and the shopping for gifts for one another. She also wanted to get her family pictures taken for there Christmas Card.

Jennifer looked up from her Coffee and Anne and Brit said, Mom, tomorrow is Day 1 of the Christmas Week, So what is it going to be First? Jennifer said, Hold it there ladies Nina said! your food is here and it's pipping HOT. Eat it while it is HOT and let me know if you need anything else. Brit said I need ketchup PLEASE, Nicholas more HOT chocolate, And, And , Calm down I'll get it. Hahahah!

Jennifer pulled out her special Jar, with papers in them; that she had ripped up this morning. Is this all of your Christmas wishes? Yes mom, three times, they all said it at the same time. Ok ,I am putting them in the jar and I want Nicholas to pick one out PLEASE after I shake the jar up. 1,2,3 go!!!! Nicholas pulled a peice of paper out and it said Christmas cookies. 

Horray, Nicholas said, Were making ginger bread men cookies. Mom, Can we make them when we wake up in the morning? Yes, she said, Now eat the rest of your food. They ate all there food and talked about what kinds of cookies they were gonna make. There were ginger bread men, grandma's melting moments, cinnamon logs and the list goes on. So before they went home that night they stopped at Michael's grocery. 

Hi, Mr. Anderson, were making Cookies for our 1st day of Christmas! Nicholas said. Is that right He said. What kind are you making? Gingerbread and Cinnamon logs and more. oh yeah and melting moments. I can't wait to out the silver buttons on the gingerbread men. All excited Nicholas was down the isle and not where to be seen. 

Anne and Brit and Jennifer were in the baling section and putting the Sugar and Flour and molasses in the cart. You forgot the cinnamon, conffection sugar and food coloring. Off to the register they went to check out there items. Mike started ringing them up, one thing at a time and Nicholas was very talkative. Mike said I can't wait to do mine either. I can't wait, Every Year my daughter Sally and I do ours together. She gets so Excited. Well here you are Jennifer and you guys have a great night and we will see you soon.