Page 13 of Christmas Wishes

"To go. I need to finish my homework."

"Connor…"

"Get off my back!"

"Hey, don't talk like that to your sister. She's only concerned about you."

I'm surprised to hear Gene's voice as I hadn't heard him come out of his room.

"It's okay, Gene."

He directs his next words to Connor. They are soft but sure and you can feel the truth in them.

"Part of being a man is not just providing for your family. It's also about being respectful and caring for one another."

Connor seems to be mulling things over in his head then comes to some sort of decision.

"I'm sorry, Lilah. Seems like everything around us is against us. School is hard, we can't pay the bills. It feels like too much."

"I'll talk to the bank today. I'll get some answers as to what we can do."

"Do you think they'll take away our home?"

"I don't know, buddy. Hey, bring those friends of yours to dinner tonight. I want to meet them and talk to them."

I hand him a bag with his breakfast and mess up his hair. He hates that, but bites back a retort. Once he's gone I focus on Gene. He's standing there looking at me like he wants to eat me alive. That makes me warm all over and I just know my cheeks have gone red.

"Coffee?"

"You didn't have to fix breakfast. I can get some food in town."

"Sit. Eat. I have to eat too. You can keep me company."

"Yes, ma'am."

We eat in silence for a few minutes. I'm wondering if I'll be brave enough to ask Gene to come with me to the bank.

"Lilah, I want to come to the bank with you."

What? Is he reading my mind?

"I don't know that I'd be much help, but this is a small town and knowing you have some support and are not alone helps."

"Thank you. I was getting up the courage to ask you."

"Lilah you have to know that our friendship is strong enough that you can always talk to me or come to me for anything you need."

"I don't know about all that, Gene, but I'll be grateful for your company today."

"Hmm. You seem all gentle and kind when one meets you, but you've got a backbone of steel, lady."

I smile at his words. My mama used to tell me I was as stubborn as a mule when I was growing up. I guess Connor is not the only one that has it. I reach over and give his hand a squeeze.

"I'll go get ready then."

Two hours later and I'm in despair. All bad news from the bank. There's no way to refinance my mortgage with the current numbers I have for my shop and we are set to be evicted in two weeks. Gene and I leave the bank – he was unusually quiet during the meeting with the banker – and we go back to my shop.

"Will you open the shop today?"

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