Getting out of bed that morning, I had a bit of a sore back.
I got dressed in plain wear and headed to the kitchen to make some toast for myself.
As I waited for it to crisp, I heard a bit of ruffling in the living room. I stiffened at the noise. My toasted bread popped up, but I ignored it, peering through the kitchen door to the hall.
I began to take small tiptoeing steps out towards the living room, and when I reached the open door case, I saw a present underneath the tree.
I raised an eyebrow up, suspicious. I came in quiet steps closer to it and picked it up.
I shook it next to my ear and heard a bit of a ruffling inside.
I held it in both my hands, before ripping the wrapping paper off and seeing a brown box. I opened the lid and stumbled back when I saw it was a cheque for one hundred thousand.
I looked around quickly, to see if anyone was here with me. I nearly stumbled back when I saw my mother just up against the wall, watching me with happy yet sad eyes.
"Mum...?" I said, astonished and she came towards me, hugging me tightly and held my chin up as she said with warm teary eyes.
"I know this isn't what you wanted. You wanted the debt to be repaid... but this was the money I and your father saved, for you."
I gazed into her hopeful eyes and wiped the tears from my own.
I placed the box of money on the coffee table, and went and gave my mum another hug.
"What were you saving for me?"
"College..." My mum told me honestly, "For four years... but now, you can do with it what you want."
I gave a shaky smile and let go of her. I nodded my head weakly and sat on the armchair. Thinking, just thinking.
When I remembered my breakfast, I offered my mum something to eat as well.
She sipped a coffee I made, and I had one of my own as well.
She had some cereal and milk, whereas I crunched on my peanut butter and jelly toast.
"Your father will be expecting me home soon..." My mum told me, her expression dim and melancholic.
"He... doesn't know?" I said and my mum nodded her head, answering.
"He knows... but it's your choice what you do with this blood money."
"Don't call it that," I said stubbornly, and my mother only giggled a little, looking at me with tenderness in her gaze.
"Do with it what you will, Merry Christmas, Landon."
"Merry Christmas, mum,"
I smiled. She smiled back and kissed me on the forehead.
After breakfast was had, she waved goodbye to me, and I waved my hand back at her, standing by the front door and seeing the dull sky outside. The sun trapped behind some clouds.
I watched my mother get in her car and drive away, folding my arms because of the cold, and turned heading back inside.
As I looked at the cheque, I knew what I had to do with it.
~x~
The following Saint Stephen's day I went to the bank and cashed my white large cheque, seeing the money being handed to me in stacks of hundred dollar bills.
"What are you going to do with all that?"
I turned around as I left the bank, seeing Eric there leaning against his car's door.
"Oh, um..." I replied, awkwardly as I had a giant bag of money tossed behind my back.
"It looks like you robbed the bank."
"Eric... I'm sorry last time we talk, I um..."
"-Punched me?" Eric finished for me and I hesitantly nodded my head.
"I probably would've done the same if I were you."
I exhaled relieved and gave a small smirk, approaching him.
He gave me a hug and pat me on the back, continuing.
"So, you're really going to do it?"
"Yep, going to give the family's back their money."
"No, I meant... what people have been whispering about, becoming a minister?"
"Well," I said with a small laugh, "That's if they accept me."
"How could they not, with how goody-two-shoes you've become."
I laughed a little more and shrugged my shoulders. Eric clapped his hands together and smiled coolly.
"So, what now?"
"Now... I keep going ahead."
My best friend gave me a thumbs up, and I smiled at him warmly as I got in Hegbert's old car and drove off to the relations of the people my grandpa had scammed.
When I reached the houses, the descendants looked at me astonished, amazed, as I handed them the money.
Some of them broke down in tears, others cheered.
Soon I only had ten thousand left in my bag, and I kept that as I headed back to my new home.
~x~
I was sitting down in the living room, on Herbert's old armchair and watched the black and white small TV, enjoying the movies that were shown during the Christmas festivities.
The movie, What a wonderful life, played on the screen and made me tear up near the end.
It made me contemplate life, and all its joys and trials.
The year was coming to an end, and soon it would be the beginning of a new decade.
I smiled softly as I closed my eyes and listened to the music from the radio play behind me. The songs were all Christmas favourites, and the waves in the far distance could be heard crashing hard as the day turned stormy.
When I opened my eyes again, it was because the phone was ringing. I got up to answer it, and when the phone was pressed against my ear, I heard a man's voice say.
"Sorry, is this Landon Carter?"
"Er..." I uttered nervously, "Yeah, this is him."
"You sent in a letter about wanting to become a Baptist minister?"
"Yeah, yeah, yes!" I said, excited I was getting a callback.
"Could you drop by the town hall on the thirtieth at around three o clock? So we can discuss what this would entail for you and the future?"
"Yes, please."
"Okay, well thank you. This is Kyle Conner by the way, just so you know who to ask for."
"Kyle Conner, got it," I said, tears of joy in my eyes,
"Bye."
"Bye!"
I stood frozen for a few minutes, the black phone being held tightly still to my ears. When I heard the sound of seagulls cawing in the distance, it was enough to snap me back into motion.
I smiled, tears in my eyes, and I whispered to the world.
"I'll be okay."
My heart was beating fast, but as I took a few deep breaths in and out, I whispered again.
"I'll be okay..."
I picked up Jamie's bible a couple of minutes later, and read the beatitudes to myself.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven,
for, in the same way,
they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
I had tears in my eyes, and I closed the bible softly, letting the weeping start.
Everything was coming into place... and who I had thank for it... was God, Hegbert and Jamie...
One day... one day I would look back on my struggles and laugh.
One day I would see how having the faith had saved me from despair.
One day... but not today. Today... I would just live, for me, for her... for my family... and for the world.