The Christmas Ornament

Chapter 5 - Christmas Carols and Candy Canes

          It was now two weeks before Christmas and Holly got busy fulfilling Santa's request to get all the children in the orphanage to write him a letter with their Christmas present wish. She stopped by each dorm room handing out paper and an envelope for each child, giving them instructions to return them to her before the pickup deadline.

          It's hard to keep secrets at the orphanage and Holly knew that it wouldn't be long before word of what she was doing got back to Mrs. Pembroke. Since nothing like this had ever happened at the orphanage before, the excitement and anticipation for Christmas was all the kids seemed to be able to talk about. Sure enough, the very next day Holly was summoned to Mrs. Pembroke's office. She was about to knock when she could hear her on the phone.

"...and you're sure that's the girl you're interested in?" Holly noticed a tone of reluctance in her voice. "Very well Mrs. Connor's, I'll speak to Penny and see if she is interested in a sleep over play date with your daughter and I'll get back to you in a couple of days. Yes, yes...you have a wonderful day also."

Not wanting Mrs. Pembroke to get suspicious of her eavesdropping on her phone call, Holly waited a minute after she heard the phone hang up before knocking on her door.

"Come in!" came a stern reply.

Holly opened the door and stepped inside.

"Miss Spencer, I heard a rumor that you've started a 'write Santa a letter campaign'. Is this true?" Mrs. Pembroke asked with mocking amusement.

"Yes I have!"Holly's voice contained a tone of defiance.

"I'm curious...what are you going to do with these letters you collect?"

"I intend to see that they get delivered to Santa, unless of course, you want them so you can fulfill their Christmas wishes." Holly suggested.

Bella Pembroke roared with laughter. "My dear Miss Spencer, you're so naive...you have no idea how things work around here, do you? What makes you think this institution has the money to spend on such trivialities such as Christmas presents?"

          Bingo! There it was! The confirmation she was looking for. Mrs. Pembroke had no intention of spending the money she had received for Christmas gifts for the kids at the orphanage that were designated for just that purpose.

"Have you considered the negative consequences of what will happen if you follow through with this absurd plan?" Mrs. Pembroke queried.

"What negative consequences?" Holly dubiously asked.

"Well, let's consider this scenario. Christmas arrives and there are no presents delivered by Santa. Think how disappointed all the children will be. And who do you think they are going to hold responsible? Why...I imagine you're going to be the most unpopular girl around!" she replied nonchalantly.

"So you'd like me to abandon this project...wouldn't you?" Holly said scornfully.

"No, not atall. In fact...you have my full support!" Mrs. Pembroke replied with feigned enthusiasm.

Holly thought for a moment then starred at Mrs. Pembroke. "Why...you're expecting me to fail. In fact, you want me to fail! Don't you?" Holly retorted disdainfully.

Bella Pembroke gave Holly a sly smile. "That will be all, Miss Spencer. Have a nice day now!" and she turned her attention to some paperwork on her desk.

          Now that Holly didn't have to keep what she was doing a secret, she found a cardboard box and placed it under the Christmas tree in the lobby. She wrote 'Letters to Santa' on the side of the box along with a clipboard with a checklist of all the girls names on it so each girl could check off their name when they put their Santa letter in the box.