Knock. Knock. The sound of rapping summoned Jamie from the comfort of her chair to the back of her cabin.

“Merry Christmas!” She proclaimed as he opened the door to a blast of winter air.

“Merry Christmas Miss Auclair.” Larry Hodges smiled as an air of optimism radiated from his freckled features.

“What can I do for you, Larry?”

“You can take this.”

“And what is this?”

“It’s the medicine you ordered.”

“Oh yes, of course. Thank you. My back has been needing some comfort.” Jamie took the brown paper bag she had been offered and began to turn toward the cozy warmth of her living room.

“That will be 2.00, please.”

“2.00?” Jamie returned her attention to the eager young man.

“Payment is due upon receipt. You know the pharmacy rules.”

“Alright. I guess I can afford that.” Jamie took a step backward. “Come in out of the cold while I fetch it.”

Larry followed the teacher into the house. “Is Adrienne home?”

“She’s out doing chores.” Jamie pulled a well-worn wallet from a shelf beside the crackling fireplace that dominated the room. “Here’s your 2.00. Don’t spend it all in one place.”

“Thanks.” Larry took the money he was offered and shoved it into one of the pockets in his ragged pants. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to speak to her.”

“That’s okay with me but is it okay with her?”

“What do you mean?”

“She’s been mad at you all week.” Jamie grinned. “Frankly, I’ve been afraid for your life.”

“Oh. Don’t worry, I’ll just think positive and I’ll be alright.”

“Think positive huh?” A chuckle burst from Jamie’s lips. “Well, go ahead. You’ve been here before, you know where the barn is.”

“Thanks, mom.”

“And don’t call me mom! I may have been your teacher, but that’s all.” Jamie let out a gentle sigh as she settled back into the rocking chair before the fireplace. “What a day.” She continued muttering to herself as she fingered the bills left inside her wallet. “Well, at least I’ve got twenty-five dollars left, that should be enough…for Christmas dinner anyway.”

Knock. Knock. The urgent pounding echoed through the house. It’s going to be one of those days, is it?” Jamie muttered as she headed toward the front of her humble abode.

“Merry Christmas!” She proclaimed as she swung open the door.

“What’s so merry about it?” Brian Driedger grumbled in response.

“About what?” Jamie shivered as a sudden gust of wind ran over her.

“You know. Christmas.”

“Well, I’m sure you’re doing a merry business these days.”

“Indeed. Ahem.” Brian shifted on his feet. “That’s kind of why I’m here. Your account is outstanding.”

“Thank you.”

“I mean, you still owe me twenty-five dollars.” Brian’s tone grew harsh. “I’d appreciate payment.”

“Right now?”

“I would’ve preferred to have it yesterday but right now will do nicely.”

“Alright.” Jamie hesitated for a moment and then took a step backward. “Come in out of the cold while I count it out.”

“Just don’t make it too long.” Brian sniffed as he took in his poor surroundings.

“A little more money won’t make you any happier you know.” Jamie felt the yawning hollow of despair open within her as she counted out all the money she had left.

“Jamie, I know you mean well, but you and I live in very different worlds.”

“I’ve always thought of that as a good thing.”

“I run a profitable business.” Brian’s chest swelled as he mentioned this accomplishment. “You spend your days giving, without getting anything back.”

“What should I do? I’m a teacher. My job is to invest in the next generation.”

“Of course. But there’s not much money in that, is there? I mean look at this house!”

“I know it doesn’t look like much but it keeps me warm.” Jamie cut off another snide remark by handing over the money in question. “Here’s your twenty-five dollars.”

“It’s about time.” Brian counted the money with the practiced air of a tax collector. Eventually, convinced that he had received everything he was owed, he placed the money into his wallet. “Are you going to the talent show tonight?”

“I don’t think so,” Jamie sighed. “I’ve had a hard day.”

“You should think about it. You obviously need the money.”

“I don’t know how going to a talent show will help with that.”

“Ah. That’s where you’re wrong! That girl you’re taking care of could win the grand prize!”

“She could?” A faint spark of hope flashed in Jamie’s eyes.

“She certainly could and the fee to enter is only 1.00.”

“Considering that you just took all the money I had left, I better pass. Thanks anyway.”

“Okay,” Brian strode toward the door. “If you change your mind. The competition is 7:30 at the Anglican Church.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Good-bye now.” A sense of relief flooded over Jamie as she shut out the sight of her old adversary.

“Somebody will be waiting at the door to take your money,” Brian interjected as he shoved the door open, smacking Jamie in the chin.

“I have no doubt about that,” she muttered as she clenched her teeth against the pain. The door closed again and Brian was gone. Thankfully. Jamie tossed her empty wallet to the chair before the fireplace.” Well, there goes Christmas dinner.” Her eyes searched the empty room for an answer. “What am I supposed to do now?”

The sound of a ticking clock was all that greeted her.

The sound of mournful singing graced his ears. Larry crept past a stack of square bales in the entrance of the barn and then stopped. Adrienne was out there in the straw-covered space before him. The picture of a country girl. Pigtails, overalls, and an air of wholesome beauty. She was surrounded by a herd of cattle. Most of which were munching their cud as they listened to the song of their master.

In the bleak midwinter

Frosty wind made moan,

Earth stood hard as iron,

Water like a stone;

Snow had fallen,

Snow on snow,

In the bleak midwinter,

Long ago.

“Wow!” Was the word that sprang from Larry’s lips.

“What are you doin here?” Adrienne snapped out of her creative zone. “Didn’t I tell ya I ain’t interested?”

“Yes, but…I….”

“But ya can’t take a hint can ya?”

“No. It’s not that, it’s…”

“I haven’t changed my mind ya now.”

“Can’t you stop talking for one minute?”

“Stop talkin? I’m just gettin started…”

“Just listen for a minute. Relax.” Larry took a breath. “This isn’t about me, this is about Miss Auclair.”

“Miss Auclair?” Adrienne wrinkled her nose. “What about her?”

“I just saw her.”

“She’s been workin pretty late, that’s fer sure.”

“She sure looked depressed to me.”

“It ain’t right, she spends her days workin at the school and what does she get fer it?” Adrienne moved away from the circle of cows she had been serenading.

“Not enough. That’s for sure.” Larry stared into the sparkling blue eyes of the young woman before him. “That’s why I was thinking that maybe you should enter that talent show tonight.”

“Oh, I don’t know if I’m good enough for something like that.”

“Come on. Think positive. With a voice like yours, you’re a shoo-in to win that competition.”

“Awe shucks.” Adrienne blushed. “Ya really think that?”

“Of course. You’ll steal the show and win twenty-five dollars to boot.”

“Twenty-five dollars?” Adrienne took a moment to ponder this. “We could really use the money.”

“That’s the spirit!” Larry reached for her hand. “Let’s go talk to Miss Auclair.”

“She doesn’t really want me ta have anythin to do with Brian Driedger and his crooked competitions.” That was all Adrienne could say as she was pulled from the warmth of the barn into the bitterness of winter.

“Don’t worry. We’ll persuade her,” Larry boasted.

As the two young people made their way toward the small farmhouse, Jamie was busy speaking into the mouthpiece of a telephone. “I understand. Times are tough. yes, payment in the new year will be fine, thank you. Merry Christmas to you as well.” With that, the telephone receiver was returned to its place on the wooden box and the hook that had been made for it.

“What’s wrong?” Adrienne said as she surveyed her father’s expression of defeat.

“Oh, it’s nothing.” Jamie forced a smile. “I was just talking to a neighbor, that’s all.”

“Still no money huh?” Larry chimed in.

“Not right now, but in the new year for sure. You know how it goes.”

“It might be a chicken,” Adrienne mused.

“It might be a basket of piglets,” Pa continued.

“It might be a friendly cow named Charger.”

“But a client will pay somehow…”

“Someday,” Adrienne sighed. “It sure don’t help us much now though.”

“I guess I shouldn’t complain. It’s all in a day in the life of a rural teacher. Still, I’m starting to think that Brian might be right.”

“About what?” Larry questioned.

“I spend all my time helping people and what have I got out of it?” Jamie tugged at her apron strings. “I can’t even afford to pay for the telephone the calls for help come in on.” She lowered her head in shame. “I can’t even afford a turkey for Christmas.”

“I could enter that talent show tonight.” Adrienne offered.

“No! I won’t allow it!”

“But she’s been practicing really hard, I’ve heard her.” Larry protested.

“Adrienne.” Jamie felt a burst of pride as she surveyed the young woman she had taken in. “I know you’ll be the best singer there but you know how Brian’s competitions are.”

“I can still try, can’t I?”

“You could try but how am I supposed to pay for it? I don’t even have 2.00 to my name.”

“I’ll pay for it!” Larry said with an air of confidence.

“I’m sure you will. With the money I just gave you.”

“Look at it this way, when Adrienne wins, you’ll get your money back!”

Jamie seemed stumped by this onslaught of advice. On one side she had an overconfident young man. On the other side, she had a concerned young woman.

“I could sing my mother’s favorite carol. She always told me I should share my talent.”

“So she did.” Jamie bit her lip. “Well, I suppose you can give it a try.”

“Thank you!” Adrienne wrapped her mentor in a bear hug to show her appreciation.

“But don’t be surprised if you lose to one of Brian’s relatives.”

“There’s that negative thinking again. You’ve got to learn to think positive.” Larry lectured.

“Think positive huh?” Jamie laughed. “Well, let’s how that works. I’ve got one more person to call. I’m positive they’ll pay their bill so we won’t need your help.”

“What?” It was Adrienne’s turn to be perplexed.

“Don’t look so skeptical. You heard Larry, we’ve got to think positive! One of these days my ship is going to come in!”

“That’s the right attitude mom.” Larry chirped as he gave Miss Auclair a high five.

“And don’t call me mom.” Jamie reached for the telephone mouthpiece and then paused. “Adrienne. Why are you standing around? You better get ready if you plan to sing tonight.”

“Don’t worry Adrienne,” Larry assured. “I’ll get my brother and sister to help you.”

The look on Adrienne’s face betrayed the fact that she had little confidence in this plan. Still, she was committed. Or was she?

She looked like she was looking for a way of escape.