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Sarah Sues Santa – P.J. Leonard

Chapter Twelve: Tears Yet Again

Sarah crept towards the house, wondering what on earth she could be crying about. Today’s been
perfect! How could they not be happy?
Opening the front door as quietly as he could, she stepped inside and listened from the narrow
hallway.
"She deserves better than this," Mum sobbed, "We couldn't even give her a proper present this
year."
"You're being too hard on yourself," said Dad, "Didn't you see her playing with Lisa? She's
perfectly happy with what she got."
Sarah longed to run into the living and give Mum and Dad a big hug and tell them that she was fine,
that she'd had the best Christmas ever, but Dad was talking again.
"Anyway, she's gonna get a few more things in the January sales, isn't she?"
But Mum cried even more. "Didn't you read that notice? If we don't pay that bill before the end of
January they're going to kick us out of the house. We can't afford to spend any more money on
presents."
Sarah swallowed. For a fleeting moment, she felt a wave of anger pass through her. But Santa gave
that money so I could get more presents! Why is it going to be used to pay a bill? But then she
heard Mum crying again, and her anger melted away.
"I don't think I can tell her," said Mum, "It's so unfair on her. She really deserves more than this for
Christmas."
"We'll think of something," said Dad, "Come on, I'll make us some tea. Is Sarah still outside?"
Sarah heard Dad stand up, and Sarah looked around, panicking. If they came out into the hallway
she'd be spotted, and they'd know she'd been listening to them talk. There was no way she could
make it up the noisy stairs. She laid a hand on the cold handle of the front door and silently stepped
outside again.
Sarah stood there for a while in the cold night, back against the door and watching the last few
snowflakes flutter down. She held the two remaining tickets in her hand.
Why did Santa bring her here? What was the reason? Well, if Santa thought that this was supposed
to make her feel better, that this was supposed to teach her some kind of lesson, then Santa was
making a big mistake.
True, this poor version of her family had been a lot of fun, despite having only three tiny presents.
But all of the fun had nothing to do with what Santa had brought her. Actually, Santa was even
more mean and unfair than she had ever imagined! This family needed his help more than ever, and
his answer was to give them less than ever! These house visits are just making me more and more
angry at you, Mr. Claus. When I see you I am going to give you such a talking to!
She had half a mind to stay with this version of her parents a little bit longer - it made her feel bad
to leave when they were feeling so sad - but Sarah had to get moving. One more house to go after
this, and the sooner I get through that the sooner I can meet Santa.
She walked up the driveway and peered up to the far end of the street. As always, there was the
postbox, gleaming an orangey color under the streetlight. Taking big steps through the thick snow,
she made her way towards it. Bright light spilled out of the slot.
Her hand shook as she held a ticket to the letterbox. What was next? She'd seen her family if they
were rich, and now her family if they were really poor. What else did Santa want to show her?
"Let's get this over with," she muttered to herself, and she slotted the ticket into the postbox.
The postbox door swung open, and Sarah climbed inside. The door clicked shut behind her, and the
light went out.

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