The Perfect Present (4 page)

She told my Momma and Grandma Bessie what I did and, just like everyone else, they were shocked and looked like they could fall through the floor.

“Mrs. Jones, I apologize for her behavior. I don't know what has gotten into her,” Grandma Bessie said.

My mom was too busy shaking her head and giving me the ‘you know you are in trouble' look.

“Jasmine, maybe you need to sit out of the Christmas play,” Mrs. Jones said.

“Sit out of the show?” I cried. “But I've been practicing so hard!”

“What you did back there was truly mean,” Mrs. Jones said. “Take some time and cool down and think about your actions.”

“I couldn't agree more,” Momma said, glaring at me.

It was my turn to cry. But no one seemed to care. Now, I had really lost everything. Everyone was either mad at me or disappointed in me. Even my own mother had turned on me.

Momma and Grandma literally dragged me out the church.

“I'm so disappointed in your behavior.”

“You're grounded for two weeks.”

“How could you shame us like that?”

“I didn't raise you to be so cruel.”

They went back and forth all the way home. My life was getting on my nerves.

Chapter 4

I was finally off punishment! That had been the longest two weeks of my life. The first thing I did was text my friends on Kik.

Jasmine: WYD.

Teresa: We r going to the mall later. Last minute Christmas Shopping for the Angel Tree

Jasmine: I will meet u there.

Teresa: J. is going. I don't think it is cool 4 u to come. Luv.

I fell back on my bed. Tears were falling down my cheeks. It was funny how an outsider can come and make you feel so alone. Tionna had gone over to Jayla's to spend the night. That traitor was even sleeping over at the enemy's.

My bedroom door slowly opened and my dad walked in. He was 6'2 inches tall, with a small mustache. He had light brown eyes that never missed a thing.

My daddy didn't play with people or words. He helped a lot of people, but he did not have time for mess. When I got in trouble at church, he didn't say a lot. I was very surprised. Momma wanted him to give me a talk. He told her he would talk to me when the time was right.

Daddy must have thought that the time was now right. He placed his arms around me.

“What's wrong, baby girl?”

I lifted my head. “Everybody hates me. Even Ma and Grandma!”

“Baby girl, you will be just fine,” Daddy said.

“No, I won't. That girl, Jayla, has stolen my life!”

“Your grandma and momma still love you. They are just tired of your behavior. We all are tired of your behavior,” Daddy told me. “As for Jayla, I think you are letting her get the best of you.”

“But everybody else doesn't see what I see!”

“I think your imagination is getting out of control. Even if she's doing all the things you say she is, you are the one who is in control of your emotions.”

“But, Dad, she says and does things to me and then acts like she is all innocent,” I said as I wiped my tears.

“Baby girl, we all encounter people like that in our lives. People will try to make you mad and tell lies on you. But it is up to you to be the bigger person. Don't let people take you out of your character.”

“But, Dad, I have no friends. Tionna even hates me. We don't talk or even hang out anymore. I think she was happy to get away from me.”

He put his hand up to stop me. “You chose to behave the way you did. Have you tried to talk to Tionna?”

I stuck out my bottom lip. “No, Daddy.”

“Yet, you're mad at her for not talking to you? Plus, you don't know the things that Jayla has been through. You don't know the hard life she's lived. Maybe if you try showing her love, she'll stop giving you a hard time. In the end, love conquers everything.”

I thought about what my daddy said. Maybe I wasn't giving Tionna a chance. This thing with Jayla was making me crazy.

I kissed my dad on the cheek. Mrs. Jones had said something similar, and now, here my daddy was telling me the same thing. Maybe it was time I listened.

“Remember, you are in charge of your actions.” He got up and walked out the room.

I knew I had to get my act together. I did not want my entire year to be like this.

I made my way downstairs to get a drink of water. The green garland with red ornaments was wrapped around the staircase.

There was a huge Christmas tree in the living room. The tree was decorated with red and gold ornaments. I usually helped decorate the tree. But this year, I had stayed in my room and listened to Momma singing “Silent Night” while she and Tionna set up the tree.

Tionna was sitting at the kitchen table, texting on her phone.

“Hi,” Tionna said.

“Hi,” I replied.

“I'm surprised you're here. I thought you would be with your new best friend at the mall,” I said before I caught myself. If I were going to change my attitude, I couldn't be making those smart remarks.

Tionna rolled her eyes. “Why don't you stop being the most and act like you have some sense. You are just being mean and spoiled.”

“Tionna, you heard some of the things she said to me. Jayla is the mean girl.” I was turning over a new leaf, but I wasn't about to keep letting Tionna think I was the only one at fault.

“Jayla was right; you are so used to getting your way,” Tionna said. “You don't understand what is like to not have everything you want.”

“Tee, what are you talking about? You act like you don't live here. We both have the same things.”

Tionna put down her phone. “Jasmine, I don't have anything. I don't even know where my mom is.” Tears filled her eyes. “I haven't seen my dad in six months. I don't even have a home. This is your house. I sleep in
your
room. I'm just like Jayla. I have nothing.” She angrily wiped her tears.

I was speechless. I had no idea my cousin felt like that. I knew not seeing her mother hurt her, but I didn't know just how much.

“You will have your parents at home with you at Christmas,” she continued, crying. “My father is in Kuwait and my mom does not care about me.” Tionna put her face in her hands and started bawling.

“I am sorry you feel like that,” I said, walking over to hug her. “You know I love you, cuz. I would do anything for you.”

Tionna mumbled, “I love you, too. But you don't understand what it is like for girls like me and Jayla. You have everything! I hear you complain about how your mother babies you. I wish my momma cared enough to baby me. You have no idea how blessed you are.” Tionna got up and walked out the room.

Chapter 5

Today was the day of the youth ministry meeting. I was usually happy about the ministry events. However, Jayla and her relationship with Tionna were making me sad. I tried to stay home, but my daddy said no.

“Being the bigger person requires you to face the music,” he told me.

I got to the church just in time to make Christmas Care Bags for the seniors. I enjoyed helping the people in our neighborhood. The bags would go to seniors at nursing homes and in the community. I had just placed the toothpaste and soaps in the bags when I heard my name being called. I turned to see Vanessa and Teresa.

“Can we help?” Vanessa asked.

“Sure,” I said as I kept placing items in the care bags.

“We really miss you at dance practice,” Teresa said.

Again, my first reaction was to say something smart, but then I thought about everything that had happened the past few weeks. I wanted to be the bigger person.

“I miss being with the ministry. You ladies did a great job ministering last Sunday.”

“Do you know when you are coming back?” Teresa asked.

“No. There are some things I need to work out.”

The twins looked at each other, but did not say a word. Just then, our youth minister walked in and asked everyone to gather in the fellowship hall.

“Today is a day to have fun and get back on track,” Minister Ron said once we were all seated. “We have a big Christmas play tomorrow and we want to go into it with nothing but love.”

He looked my way and smiled. I smiled back.

“We are family,” Minister Ron continued. “Family does not always get along, but we still love each other. It is important that we remember the real meaning of the holiday season. It is not about getting a new iPad or North Face Jacket. I want you to spread love and help your fellow brothers and sisters. I also want you to learn to forgive others. It does not do you any good to hold negative thoughts in your heart.”

Tionna looked at me and I looked at her. She was sitting beside Jayla. The twins were on the other side. Normally, that sight would've made me mad. But I thought about what my dad had said. I also thought about how Tionna felt and, before I knew it, I was on my feet.

“Excuse me, Pastor Ron. I have something I want to say.” The room was quiet as everyone looked at me. “I am sorry for anything bad I said or did against anyone.” I took a deep breath before continuing. “I want everyone to know I am
working hard on becoming a better person. And I hope that those I've wronged,” I looked over at Tionna, then Jayla, “will forgive me.” I quickly sat down on the cold metal chair.

Minister Ron smiled. “Thank you, Jasmine, for being brave. We all have work to do. Is there anyone else who needs to share?”

I was surprised when Jayla stood up. She cleared her throat, then said, “Everyone here has been real nice to me. But I have not been nice to everyone.” She turned to me. “Jasmine, I apologize for not being nice to you. I know I said and did some things to make you hate me.”

Tionna's and the twins' eyes bugged out.

“I am not used to having people care about me,” she continued. “I thought this was some terrible small town. I thought the people here would pick on me. But everybody here has been great to me. I attacked Jasmine because I thought that since she had everything, she would look down on me. I started it. Maybe if I hadn't, things wouldn't have gotten so bad between us.” Jayla had tears running down her face. “Jasmine, do you forgive me?”

I fought back my own tears as I nodded. “Yes.”

We hugged as I noticed several other people crying, including Tionna and the twins.

“Let this be a lesson to us all. We need to learn how not to judge, but rather how to forgive each other,” Minister Ron said. “When you give love, you give the best gift of all!”

Kylie: The Smallest Elf

By Gabrielle Simone

Once upon a time in a secret place, deep in the North Pole, there lived a little elf named Kylie. She was the smallest elf in Santa's Workshop. It was the day before Christmas and all the other elves were working on last minute gifts. Kylie was in Santa's private study presenting a new way to wrap presents. While she was testing her new invention, something went wrong—terribly wrong. The machine she had worked so hard on started to shoot out bolts of electricity. She was blinded by the bright lights, but could hear a scream. She finally ran to unplug her invention. Once the power was off, Kylie saw Santa on the floor. She immediately ran to get the doctor, who rushed quickly to Santa's side.

“Kylie, go get help. We need to get Santa to his bed,” Dr. Rangbottom said.

Without a word, Kylie moved quickly toward the door. Once outside the door, she yelled, “Help! Santa's been hurt.”

All the elves rushed into the study. “Quickly,” said Dr. Rangbottom. “Help me move Santa.”

Although Kylie wanted so badly to help, she was much too small. She watched the others assist the doctor as he carried Santa to his bed.

Kylie looked at her invention with sadness; she didn't understand what went wrong. It worked perfectly so many times before. This was her chance to do something big, and she had ruined it. She took her machine apart and threw all of the pieces in the trash. She wanted to be sure it did not hurt anyone else.

*****************

Hours later, Santa was safely in his bed and all the elves were lined up outside waiting to hear an update from Dr. Rangbottom.

“I heard he is in a coma,” whispered Jesse, one of the elves who was responsible for making all the toy trains.

“Really?” replied the elf next to him. Kylie had seen this elf before, but did not know his name. “I was told he broke his leg.”

Kylie felt worse. She tried to stay positive, but what if the elves were right? What if Santa was in a coma
with
a broken leg all because of her? She wanted to cry, but before she could, Dr. Rangbottom came out of the room. Kylie was the first to run up to him.

“How is Santa? Is he okay?” she asked, but Dr. Rangbottom ignored Kylie and made his way to the front of the crowd. There, he was presented with a microphone so that he could deliver the depressing news.

“Santa has lost his memory and since we have no one to take his place, Christmas is cancelled.”

All of the elves were shocked. Then they all turned to Kylie and gave her a look she had never seen before. This time she could not stop the tears. She ran to her room and cried herself to sleep.

**************************

The next morning, none of the children got their presents and Kylie stayed in her room until she heard an announcement over the intercom. “Kylie, please report to Elf, Incorporated.” It was Tinker, Santa's Number One Elf. Kylie began to worry. She had never been asked to come to Elf, Incorporated. She slipped into her shoes and started walking toward the huge building, which was next to Santa's Workshop. Once inside, she asked where the main office was. The elf at the front desk gave her a mean look, then pointed to the elevator.

“Level ten,” he said.

“Thanks,” Kylie whispered, trying not to make eye contact.

When she got to the office, Tinker was standing next to an empty chair, “Sit,” she said. “We have a lot to discuss.”