True Blessings

Chapter Eleven

Alice was yawning as Sammy escorted her up the walk to her house, having dared to take her hand.

"Tomorrow, again?" he asked.

Alice nodded. "Yes. Even if it was hard work, it was fun. I felt as if we made a difference today!"

Sammy nodded. "Yeah – I felt that way, too. And Pete and Mikey said they'd help, too. In fact, Pete said his mom and dad would help, too."

She smiled. "It feels good – helping others is what we're meant to do - especially this time of year. Did you see what was written on the boxes the food was put in?"

"You mean the note in Sharpie saying, 'Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thoughts and Prayers, Love and Caring'?"

"Yes. They let me write it on several boxes. It felt wonderful to do!"

"I got to, also. Yes it made me feel good!"

Alice yawned again.

"Why don't you go in and get to bed?" Sammy said, squeezing her hand.

"I am. Goodnight, Sammy."

Sammy smirked, looking at their hands then back to her.

"Goodnight, but can I say something?"

"What?"

He looked away a moment, taking a long breath, then looked into her eyes. "I like you, Alice."

She smiled. "Like? As a girlfriend?"

She giggled as he turned red, stepped close and put her arms around him. He put his around her.

"Don't be embarrassed, Sammy! You're a handsome boy and I'm honored you like me."

She kissed him on the cheek. "I like you too."

They held each other for a moment then she kissed his cheek again and turned for the door.

"Goodnight, Sammy."

"Goodnight, Alice. I . . . " he took a breath. "I love you."

She looked back at him, a smile spreading across her face. "I love you too, Sammy."

Christie saw the embrace and smiled as Sammy returned to the car, smiling broadly.

"Well?" she asked as he got in.

"She likes me," he said, buckling. "When I said 'I love you', she said she did too."

"I'm happy for you, Sammy. She's a lovely young lady and, together, you make a lovely couple – and team."

As Christie pulled the car from the curb, Sammy's phone beeped, indicating a message. He looked, finding it came from his father.

"I am proud of what you, Dad and your friends achieved today, Sammy. My fellow soldiers agree it's wonderful. I also mentioned it to people we're helping and they asked me to say thank you for them.

"As for the other message you sent: received. Love you, Son."

Sammy laid the phone on his lap, then lifted it again and Swyped a message. "I don't know what you planned giving me on Christmas Day, but if you haven't bought anything, buy something for some kids down there instead. You always said helping people is really rewarding and I found that out today."

He sent the message then pocketed the phone.

"Dad says several Texans thank us."

"I'm sure they do," Christie said.

His phone beeped again and he pulled it out to read, "Dad told me how rewarding helping people is. I joined the guard because of that and, each time I'm deployed to help, I remember Dad's words, and how right he was. Get some sleep, Son. Love you."