Maya Flores wiped the sweat from her forehead and grabbed her long, straight black hair, twisting it up into a high bun. She licked her dry lips and looked up at the clear blue sky. There was no sign of rain. She groaned, wishing it would suddenly pour and cool them all down—and wishing her family had a car so that they wouldn’t have to walk an hour and a half each way to church.
A short woman in tall rubber boots appeared in the doorway. “Come on in!” she invited. “I’m just getting ready to start milking.”
MacKenzie Isabelle Evans skipped ahead of her mother to the big glass door of the toy store. “Can I look in the art aisle for a while?” she asked over her shoulder. “Please?”
Trevor Paul Monroe looked at the green duffel bag that Pastor Chuck had placed on the table in the front of the room. Pastor Chuck looked around at the class. “I see we have a visitor this morning,” he said. “Trevor, is that a friend of yours? Would you like to introduce him?”
Trevor Paul Monroe raised his hand high. He wiggled it in the air. He sure hoped Pastor Chuck would call on him first.
Kenya Jayne Washington shivered and stamped the snow off her boots. She was standing in the dark basement of the Pattersons’ flower shop.
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