Page 40 - ThreeGiftsForFlipBook

Christmas?” Mary was a little embarrassed. “But Emily, he has his own mother.” “She died a year ago.” Mary stopped. With a shocked look on her face she turned to Justin. “Alice died?” Justin looked down as he spoke to hide the hurt he felt. “Cancer.” Mary dropped onto a bus stop bench, overcome by emotion. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. I haven’t been able to afford a newspaper for quite a while. She was a good lady.” “Yes,” Justin said but could hardly speak. “Your mother and father were older than my husband and me in high school,” Mary continued. “But we spent a lot of time together in the group we were with.” “So do you think you could be his mother?” Emily interrupted. “Just for Christmas?” “But Emily, It takes more to be a mother than just to be there for Christmas.” “But he said maybe he could share his daddy if my daddy doesn’t come home and then he could be my brother and I could ride in his car and...” “Oh, I see,” Mary said, stopping her daughter. “But Emily...” 35