A Quiet Christmas
Ice walked over the Brooklyn Bridge thinking. The chilly wind blew her shoulder length dark brown hair all over the place. She stuck a cap on to keep off the cold and pulled her thin brown jacket tighter around her. She sighed inwardly. It was Christmas Eve. This day eight years ago she had run away from home with her brother. She wanted to do something, she wanted to get a simple gift for her brother. But how to give it to him? He lived in Manhattan, and Manhattan was far to big to search with in the amount of time she had. He could be anywhere. Plus she didn't need her ice cold reputation on the line. It was how she had gotten her name. Besides, hardly anyone knew that she and her brother were even related. She decided to do what she had for the last few years, since she had started giving him presents at Christmas.
She walked down the street to an old bookstore. She pushed open the door and a man behind the desk shot up, apparently waken up from a nap. She walked in and looked around for a while. The man didn't say anything. Probably intimidated. She thought. Why do people have to think that way of me, just because I'm taller. She shrugged and pulled a little brown book off the shelf. Then she walked up to the counter.
"I'd like to get this." She said putting the book on the counter. She looked to the side. There was a small box selling pens. She quickly grabbed one. "And this" The man just nodded and told her the cost. She paid the man then left.
When she got to the Duane Street Newsboys Lodging House, she walked straight in. No one was usually there this time of day, everyone was selling papers. She walked through the lobby and up the stairs to the bunk room. After looking around for a while, she found an unmade bunk with her brothers things on it. She quietly made the bed and sat down. She pulled the book and pen out from under her jacket and wrote a quick note inside the book. Then, as quietly as she had come in, she left.
~*~*~*~
When all the newsboys started coming in that evening, only one noticed the one bed that was made. Swifty went to his bunk and looked at it, confused. He rubbed his hand through his dark brown hair, thinking. He shrugged and lied down on the bed, putting his head on the pillow. His feet stuck out off the end a little. He sighed. It wasn't always so good to be tall. Then he noticed his pillow was harder that usual. He sat up on his bed and lifted his pillow up. Underneath was a small brown book. He picked it up, surprised. He turned it over, looking at the cover, then opened it to see the pages. On the inside cover there was writing. He read it.
Kevin-
It's been a long eight years huh? Hope ya like the book. But you tell anyone that I gave it to ya and I'll soak ya, ya bum!
Merry Christmas,
Melany (Ice)
Swifty smiled, slowly closing the book. He looked at the cover. "Fantasy Stories" He chuckled slightly, his sister always did remember what he liked.
"Heya Swifty, ya coming?" Jack yelled going down the stairs. Swifty shook his head to get out of his daze.
"Huh? where?" He could hear Jack Laughing. He came back up the stairs till he was at the top.
"To Medda's, where we go every Christmas. Of course!" Jack laughed again.
"Yeah, yeah I'm coming." Swifty put the book underneath the pillow once more and whispered, "Thanks sis. Merry Christmas."