After dropping out of school, nothing much happened. I hunted, I chopped wood. I helped mum around the house. I fixed the leaks coming from the roof. The snow was coming in deeper now and Christmas is shy of a month away. Unfortunately Meredith has managed to catch a cold and has been stuck in bed for three days. Mum and dad have been out all morning. They're doing Christmas shopping (as well as restocking the cleaning supplies) and I am to take Meredith shopping when she feels better. But, as for now, I am babysitting, and Meredith isn't happy.

"Val! Where are you!" Her stuffy voice only made her anger seem hilarious. Poor girl.

"Yea, I'm right here. You feeling okay?"

"I feel really, really bad!" Meredith was on the brink of tears. What do sick kids like to do. I wasn't exactly the person around the house to come to, for fun.

"How about I tell you about, ummm, anything. I'll tell you a story. What would you like to hear about?" We didn't have a tv, so movies were out of the question, and the only toys we have is Merediths, (once mine), stuffed dolls which she has been playing with all day.

"Santa! Santa!"

I laughed. "Okay, here we go." I sat on the bed next to. "Lie down so you stay warm first." She did without a complaint and I tucked her in, right up to her chin.

I began by telling her about Santa, living in a secret fortress in the north pole. "Why hasn't people found it?" She was pretty smart, of course she would ask that, but I told her it was hidden in a giant mountain of snow, so anyone looking for it could only see the snowy part, and never find it.

I moved on to telling her about all the work Santa must do, and how it takes months and months to prepare for this one day, and to help him out, Santa has his little friends the elves to help him. "Does Santa have mermaids and pixies too?" piped up Meredith.

"I don't know about mermaids. I think it would be far too cold for them, but maybe he does have pixies."

Then we talked about the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, Sandy the Sand Angel, and if they talk to each other.

"Yep. They sure do. They all are pretty good friends if I'm not mistaken."

By the time Meredith had exhausted herself from questions, and drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep, it was late afternoon. Mum and dad still wasn't home, so I went to my room to clean and polish my gun.

Reaching into my hunting bag, I decided it had been a while since I last cleaned it out, so, I moved onto that task.

Inside was the usual, ammo, tackle box, first aid kit and any other useful bits. But not only were there that, but dust and dirt crumble up lay at the bottom. Dry blood and other fluids stained the fabric. Not a pleasant sight, let alone, smell. I took the bag into the bathroom and filled the with water and soap sink. Dumping the bag, and leaving it to soak, not really knowing what I was doing, I return back to my room and proceeded with my initial task of cleaning my gun.

Twenty minutes later and my parent still weren't home. I check to see if Meredith was still sleeping peacefully, which thankfully she was, and return to cleaning my bag. It had soaked through well, and now it was time for the scrubbing.

()()()()()()()()()()()

I swear, it's a brand new...soaking, bag. It smells a whole lot better and looks like a happy bag, if bags had emotions such as joy and happiness. It will take a long time for it to dry. A very long time, by the looks of it.

I went outside, greeted by a welcoming breeze against my cheeks. Reaching the clothesline, which was situated under a roof to protect washing from the rain and snow, and pegged the bag. I only hope that the water in the bag won't freeze solid. I could hang it up inside because there was no room, and it would wet the floor.

Walking back round to the front door, Dads ute pulled in, the engine coming to rest.

I waved, they appear to being having a small argument, so I best leave them to their little rage.

Cleaning up the bathroom, because I am not very good at cleaning things without dirtying other things, and packing up my hunting gear into a pile until my bag drys, I found myself with nothing to do. It's a little late to go hunting now, unless I want to stay the night in the woods, but I plan to do that tomorrow. I settled for talking game and hunting with dad, once he had seated himself down. Dad and I could talk hours about this. I feel as if no matter how much you know, there is always a lot more to know.

Dinner time came and passed, and Meredith had dragged me off to her room for another story. As much as a don't like kids, Meredith has a way of touching my heart without squeezing too hard.

"Okay, what would you like tonight."

"Mum told me Jack Frost nipped my nose, and gave me a cold." To prove her point, she took in a long sniff that made me shudder. Point taken. "Tell me about Jack Frost."

Honestly I never really knew much about him. What could I say. "Well, hmmm. I can't say I know much about Jack Frost, but it sounds like you do." She nodded enthusiastically. "Tell me about him. Enlighten me."

"At the playhouse," thats the day care for you. "Miss M-Man..."

"Mansfield" I reminded.

"Mansfield, told us that when winter comes, a winter spirit comes and makes snow everywhere."

I smiled and listened to every word she said, describing what I supposed is a fun character, who brings winter and joy to all the kids. But sometimes Jack Frost will nip at children's noses, giving them terrible colds.

"Do you th- " Meredith inhaled sharply before sneezing loudly, I passed her some tissues, and encouraged her to continue. "Do you think, Jack Frost gets angry and gives people colds."

Good question. "No, I think it's by accident. Because he must be so cold himself-being a winter spirit and all, that when he plays with children, he, by mistake, gives them a cold. I don't think he would do that on purpose."

"Good, because that would be mean."

"Yes it would" I giggled. "Now, I think that's enough for one night, you need lots of rest so you can get better, okay."

"Okay." I tucked her in and kissed her on the forehead.

"I love you, my little sweet Munchkin."

"I love you too, Val."

Smiling, I walked off and turned off the light.

Sleep came peacefully and quickly tonight. Tomorrow, it's hunting time.