The Christmas Dollar, Part Four

Cindy Halloran studiously rolled her snowball all around her front yard until it was big enough to make a nice round head. Steve was making the bottom roll because he was the biggest. Mikey was making the middle roll. This was going to be the best snowman in town. After they made the snowman, Daddy had promised to take them all sledding. Even the baby. Mama said it wasn't too cold if they bundled up.

"This is the bestest Christmas I ever had!" Cindy cried joyously.

"That's because you don't remember any other Christmases," said Steve. He didn't seem very happy this year. Neither did Mama or Daddy. Cindy didn't know why.

"I got a whole dollar," she reminded him.

"Big deal," said Steve.

Cindy decided not to cry. She made a snow angel instead. Then she saw a man coming down the sidewalk.

"Mr. Gruffman!" she called out happily. "Isn't this the bestest Christmas ever?"

Mr. Gruffman growled at her, but Cindy didn't mind. She liked the way his eyebrows jiggled. "I got a whole dollar! What did you get for Christmas, Mr. Gruffman?"

"Nothing!" growled Mr. Gruffman, not stopping.

Cindy stood stock still. Then she ran after Mr. Gruffman. "Nothing?!" she cried. "Why? Were you bad?"

Mr Gruffman looked at the sky. "Yes," he snapped. "I was bad! Now run along!"

Cindy couldn't believe it. Nobody could be that bad! It must be a mistake. "Wait, Mr. Gruffman! Please wait!"

Mr. Gruffman stopped and turned around. "Stay in your yard and leave me alone!" he yelled. But Cindy thought anybody might be cross if they got nothing for Christmas!

Slowly, she reached into her pocket. "Here," she said.

Mr. Gruffman just looked at her. "It's my Christmas dollar," said Cindy. "You can have it. Look - if you wiggle it, the man smiles."

Very slowly, Mr. Gruffman held out his hand. He didn't mean to take the dollar. He just wanted to see it. But while he was still staring at it, torn and taped right across Washington's face, the little Halloran girl ran back to her yard, apparently perfectly happy to give up what he suspected was her only Christmas present. He stood, frozen, and gazed after her. Pastor Jones' Christmas sermon scrolled through his mind.

Then, still in slow motion, he went to the Hallorans' house and knocked. Lou came to the door. Mr. Gruffman didn't know he was going to say it. The words just seemed to come out of his mouth. "I want to build a wing onto my house. Could you do the job?"

Hidden in his picket, his hand clung to a torn dollar bill.