Solomon Nassim El-Charif made a face as he looked at a store display brimming with handkerchiefs in fancy boxes, aftershave in fancy bottles, and ties with fancy designs. “For Dad!” the cheerful sign said in big red and green letters. “Can’t anybody think of something better for dads than this stuff?” Solly asked Susannah.
“Come over! Come over! You’ve got to come over here right now!” Mac’s voice shrieked through the receiver. “What’s the matter?” Joseph asked anxiously. G.M. turned from washing the dishes to look at Joseph. She had a questioning look in her eye. “Nothing’s the matter!” Mac hollered. “Just come over! I just got the best Christmas present in the world! I can’t even believe it!”
MacKenzie Isabelle Evans skidded into the classroom. She glanced around. “Where is Pastor Chuck?” she asked breathlessly.
By Lori Peckham “Time for supper!” Mom called. Lily washed her hands and joined her family at the table. “Yum, lasagna.” Lily’s older brother, Logan, sat in his usual seat across from her. The family folded their hands and closed their eyes as Dad said the blessing. Then he glanced from Logan to Lily. “Mom
Jennifer sat very still on Grandma’s couch. Uncle Jerry had been living with Jennifer’s grandparents since he became sick. Jennifer felt as if everyone in the family had been in and out of his room the last few days. Jennifer and her Mom had also come over more often lately. Some of the people visiting her Uncle cried when they came out of his room. Everyone looked sad and talked quietly to one another.
MacKenzie Isabelle Evans stood in the middle of the lawn. She put two fingers into her mouth and whistled a long, piercing whistle. Grace, Joseph’s dog who had been peacefully sleeping on the back porch, stood up. She stretched, raised her nose in the air, and howled, long and mournfully.
“How was your day?” Mama asked in a whisper. Tears suddenly streaked Hannah’s hot cheeks as the bad memories instantly flooded over her. She couldn’t say anything at all for a minute.
MacKenzie Isabelle Evans felt like stamping her feet. She took a deep breath instead. “Are you sure I can’t go outside and play?” she asked.
By Sami Hoffer Megan’s Problems“Math is so hard.” Megan plopped her tablet onto the table and crossed her arms. “I can’t do this.” The clock read ten minutes until lunch, and she hadn’t finished all of her math problems. Megan’s teacher, Ms. Nelson, had just taught Megan’s second-grade class about multiplication. To practice, Ms. Nelson
“Experts are saying this might be the biggest snowstorm of the season,” the newscaster’s voice blared from the TV above the cashier’s counter.