The icy wind whipped across little Sharon’s legs. Her worn coat was no real protection against the early morning. She couldn’t help but shiver. All that kept her moving on days like this were thick mittens and boots. Her mama had made the mittens for her last Christmas; she was proud of the embroidered Christmas tree on the back. It was the one possession her classmates admired. Her boots, two sizes too big, were another story. Embarrassingly, Mama made her stuff the toes of her boots with toilet paper and wear extra socks over her stockings. Every morning she walked slowly, no matter the weather, in order to arrive at late as possible without getting into trouble. She knew the other children wouldn’t understand, and they could be cruel-- especially Melissa Striker.

Today, the day of the Christmas party, Melissa would be particularly mean. Usually, Sharon couldn’t wait for the school party. However, this year she was horrified: she had drawn Melissa’s name for the gift exchange. She knew the homemade card and embroidered pillowcase would be no match for the gift from Melissa. If only Melissa could understand how hard she had worked to perfect the letters of Melissa’s name. Sharon had even sacrificed her Christmas gift for Melissa. Each year on Christmas morning, Mama made sure Sharon, her sister, and her two brothers received one store-bought gift. This year money had been so tight. Mama had had to ask permission to work overtime to afford three special gifts. Sharon had been allowed to use her share for Melissa’s pillowcase; now, no matter how much her mama wanted to surprise her with something. Sharon knew she just couldn’t. Mama tried hard, but winter was always tough. Besides, raising kids alone was difficult for a single mother.

In fact, Sharon’s father had never helped her mama support her family. He had “shacked-up” with another woman, or so Mama said. Sharon hardly saw him. “The other woman” had three children of her own and did not appreciate her being around. The woman didn’t tell her that, but harsh tones, disapproving stares, and short answers made it obvious. For as long as Sharon could remember, Daddy had given nothing --not even a hug. Mama was the sole provider of love, and her only means of survival. These thoughts made her tears burn as he approached the school.

Sharon’s tears reminded her of her frenzied crying when she had discovered Melissa was her draw. At first, Mama had said she wouldn’t allow Sharon to give up her gift for Melissa, but Sharon’s pleading and hysterical crying had changed her mind. Sharon would never forgive herself for breaking her mama’s heart and making her cry. Mama didn’t deserve it! She had watched Mama come home to potato soup each night after a hard day at the factory. Although, Mama’s feet and back hurt, she never complained. And now Sharon was adding to her troubles.

Sharon wanted to be as courageous as Mama; however, she also wanted to turn around and go home. After all she was taking her beautifully embroidered pillowcase to an undeserving brat. Going home would serve Melissa right. How would Melissa feel when her friends exchanged gifts, and she didn’t? But it was too late; she was at the school doors. Besides, Melissa wouldn’t dare be ungrateful--would she? Mama’s present was as good as anyone else’s and turning around would be admitting it wasn’t. No, she would be brave for Mama.

As usual, she was the last to take her seat. The room buzzed! She wanted to join in the chatter and laughter, but her thoughts were only of Melissa. She was dressed in a pink and blue party dress, which flared as she bounced from desk to desk. After quieting the children down, the teacher began class by thanking the students whose parents had brought in cookies and drinks. She then asked the children to exchange gifts. Sharon trembled and managed a smile.

Slowly, she handed Melissa her tissue-paper-wrapped gift. With a confident smile, Melissa gave Sharon her present. Unable to open her gift, Sharon held her breath, anticipating Melissa’s disappointment. Sharon’s eyes never left Melissa as Melissa crept her index finger under the tape. After reaching a snag, Melissa rapidly tore the delicate package, revealing the pillowcase. Sharon searched Melissa’s face for rejection, but found none--Melissa was pleased. Sharon exhaled loudly, Melissa laughed, and then they laughed together.

Joyfully, Sharon opened her gift, a hat with matching scarf and mittens. She thanked Melissa politely, even after Melissa said, “It’s no problem; you looked as if you needed them--especially the mittens.” It didn’t matter that Melissa made fun of Mama’s mittens, because Melissa was satisfied with her gifts. She even skipped from table to table, showing it to everyone. Sharon felt proud watching her classmates admire her pillowcase. The day was a success, and Sharon joined in the party. She never laughed or ate so much in her life. As the afternoon progressed, Melissa even chose Sharon to be on her team during a Christmas game. Sharon believed she had misjudged Melissa; they were kind of friends now.

The rest of the day went perfectly, and Sharon prepared to go home. Then, standing by her locker, she overheard Melissa: “My mother warned me not to expect much, and I didn’t. Can you imagine giving someone a pillowcase with some sort of chicken scratch writing on it?” Sharon was crushed. How could Melissa have said such a thing? Hurriedly, she dressed and ran home.

When she arrived home, Sharon was glad to discover Mama wasn’t there to see her cry. She could not bear for Mama to see her this way. Melissa had played a cruel trick. She had allowed Sharon to join in and made her feel accepted, only to make fun of her later. She had tried so hard to please mean old Melissa, but she had failed. More importantly, she had failed Mama. Mama had unhappily given in to her hysteria by allowing her to give up her gift. But now she was unhappy again, and Mama would be too.

Hearing Mama’s footsteps, Sharon caught her breath and raced to the bathroom. She washed her face and convinced herself she could be brave. Calmly, she opened the bathroom, walked in the kitchen, and slipped into her mama’s arms. He mama’s hair was messy and her hands were cold, but it didn’t matter. Mama’s arms felt good around her. There was no safer place to hide when the world got to cruel.

Sharon’s mama never found out about Melissa’s trick. She told Mama only what had happened at school before she overheard Melissa. Her mama smiled because her little girl was happy. Later that night, Sharon lay in bed thinking about the day’s events. She thought of Melissa’s cruelty, and she thought of Mama’s love. Contented, she drifted to sleep, knowing Melissa had provided her with a Christmas gift for her mama.

When Sharon awoke, she decided to get wood for a fire. It was Christmas morning! Mama would be up soon for a festive day of tree decorating and caroling. Silently, she put her coat on and tiptoed out the front door. Sharon gasped in astonishment at the large, bright green and red box on her porch. She bolted back in the house, waking her family. Mama quickly brought the box inside, and the family gathered around it. Fighting back tears of appreciation, Mama revealed the contents of the box: a turkey with all the proper trimmings, enough fabric for a new outfit each, and five gifts wrapped in shiny paper. Sharon’s little sister sang over and over, “Santa was here! Santa was here!”

Sharon smiled at her sister’s reaction. More likely, some kind townsperson had left the box. But, for Sharon, this thought was even better than believing in Santa. It was good to know the world wasn’t full of Melissa Strikers. Like Mama, other people, cared. Sharon rushed into her mama’s arms. “Merry Christmas, Mama. Merry Christmas.”