December 13th, 1962
It was the prettiest bracelet she'd ever seen in her life, and it cost more than a month of allowances. She just had to get it, though, it was Mom's birthstone and it was just her size. And if she didn't get it soon some other lady might buy it instead.
But how was she going to make thirty dollars before Christmas? Little girls couldn't get jobs, she was still too young to have a paper route like Johnny down the street or shovel snow like Henry and Stanley.
"Pop?" she asked after dinner that night. "How do people make money when they can't get jobs?" He looked up from the paper, raising an eyebrow.
"What prompted such a question, Suzie?" he asked.
"Well...let's say someone wanted to buy something that cost a lot of money, but they didn't have nearly enough and they couldn't get a job anywhere," she said. "How do people who can't get jobs buy things? Like, if they wanted to give someone a Christmas present?"
"The wise thing to do, Suzie, would be to save your allowance further in advance," her father said. "But, failing that, small enterprises such as lemonade stands or the sale of small crafts might bring in some money. And of course, recycling bottles is both profitable and good for the environment!" He winked. "A smart girl like you will come up with something sooner or later."
"I hope sooner." She smiled and kissed her father's cheek. "Thanks, Pop, I think I just found the answer!"
For the next two weeks, she stood on the corner selling paper violets. She collected glass bottles and cans and bottlecaps to take to the corner store. She saved her allowance, turning down trips to the movies or the ice cream shop with her friends. She did chores for the people next door, searched for change in the couch cushions, took the pennies out of her loafers.
Not once did she tell anyone what she was up to. This was the first present she was going to buy all by herself, and she didn't want them trying to help her by giving up their allowances or snow shoveling money.
The money in her shoebox piled up until three days before Christmas, when she brought it in to the jewelry store. The storekeeper gave her a funny look, as if she was the only little girl who ever brought a big box of coins and dollars to the counter, but she'd finally saved up just enough money to buy the pretty bracelet. She skipped home that afternoon and up to her room, where she wrapped it as neatly as she could and tied the box with a ribbon.
Christmas morning couldn't come soon enough.