Merry Little Christmas

03. Cookies

December 7th, 1961

A week went by, and yet the cold weather never seemed to fade away from their system. The warm noodles from Andrew had been long gone, and the warm blankets were suddenly cold and damp from the soft snow that sprinkled around to the ground, acting as a cold blanket. Andrew was sure to stop by today, but he didn't yet, and the family was starved.   

Isabella held her stomach tightly, trying to sooth the pain away from her grumbling belly, simultaneously using the cold blanket to trap the little warmth she could hold. They weren't sure what the temperature was, but it was sure to make it to one of the chilliest days they've had this winter. 

She had a sense that someone was looking for her. Unable to hold her curiosity, she squinted to make out someone from a distance, but only able to see the silhouette of a man, who had appeared to be signaling for her to come over there. 

Isabella peeked to her right. Her family was tucked inside their blankets unconscious of their surroundings. Surely, she would just come to check out what the fuss was about, then be on her way back to her parents and little Niall. Right?

"Mama, Papa. I'm going to head towards the bathroom." Isabella lied. She lied only a couple times before, but this was different. 

"Let me go with you," Mama insisted. 

"No! No, I um wanna try going myself. You look ill." Before Mrs. McCarthy could protest, she added, "It's fine." Mama nodded, but looked skeptical. And before she could say anything else, Isabella was off.

She rushed towards the man, the figure not seeming to get closer. And finally, as it did, she could see a middle-aged man who held something in his hands.

"Hey!" Isabella panted. She ran as fast as she could, but her legs couldn't keep up with her body. "Hey, wait up!" It was if the crowd had given room for her. There were no cars nor people in her way, she just ran until she confronted the man.

"Hi," She gasped for air, setting her hands on her knees. 

The man was wearing a mask. Isabella suspected it was nothing more but to protect his skin from the weather. He rose his hand up higher, the one with the bag. "Hey, little one." He said. "Want some? Cookies?" He shook his bag in front of her face. She salivated, she had never gotten a bite of a cookie in a long time. 

"I, uh..." She was smart, but he was smarter. The cookies looked warm and gooey. She longed for one. She kept her eyes on the bag. She was hypnotized, unable to look away. 

She forgot what a cookie tasted like. But they knew they were good. Memories flooded inside of her head, all she could comprehend were cookies. Mama always baked them for Christmas, they were magical and in every bite they brought joy and memories. She couldn't describe them, but it made her happy. 

She shook her head, bringing her back to the present. 

"Yes. Please." She grabbed the bag from the man, thanked him, and went the opposite direction of where her family was. 

 ❆ 

"Where have you been?" Mama yelled. She wasn't mad, just scared.

"I went to the bathroom, and then I got some cookies." She explained, which wasn't a lie. After she had went to the man, she went to the bathroom. She hated lying.

"Where did you get these?" Papa asked.

"Cookies! I want some!" Niall exclaimed.

Isabella closed her eyes and sighed, which helped her to think. 

"I got them at the store. On my way there, I found one dollar. Cookies are two, but I persuaded the woman selling to give me two cookies instead of four."

They bought it, unusually because Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy were very overprotective when it came to food and strangers. Maybe it was because they were desperate.

Isabella opened the bag and split the cookies in halves. It wasn't much, but enough to soothe their stomach for a little. They placed the cookie into their mouth with no hesitation. It was warm and gooey inside their mouths. Their taste buds tingled, as the cookie melted away into their stomachs.

"I want another." Niall craved.

"I'm sorry, but they're all gone.." Papa sighed, patting him on the back. 

Isabella felt guilty. Not because she had fed the entire family. That, of course was the good in it. She had lied; the one thing mama had told her never to do. Lying is unacceptable! She once said to her. 

But there was more to that, and she would never forgive herself for it. 

For once the cool breeze of the winter had stopped, reminding them that it would all end soon. For once they could feel their wrinkled fingers and toes beneath the blanket and for once they could finally breathe in the air that the wind had precluded them to have. Everything felt better, or they thought.

They could hear soft music from the inside of the bakery, it getting stronger as more customers came and opened the door. Isabella smiled. The place looked warm and cozy. It reminded her of home. Tiny but meaningful. Little but Merry. That was what home was all about.

But soon, Isabella's smile turned into a frown. The happiness in her belly churned into a great chaotic mess. She made a face, groping onto her belly, looking as if she were to throw up.

"Isabella," Mama said calmly. "W-what where in those cookies?" The whole family stared at Isabella, as they waited for an answer. She turned pale, tho' she was already pale, now she looked as if she matched the snow. 

She didn't give an answer. Her mouth opened and closed a couple times. She was going to say something, but then lost what she had to say. Her body trembled, but it already was due to the cold. Her belly ached, her head hurt. All eyes were on her now, and were still waiting for an answer.

But she just stayed there, with no response at all.