FAITH, HOPE, CHARITY
by
CQB
CHAPTER
5
THE CHAPTERS
“You slept out in the desert like we’re sleeping on the street;
So I believe You understand the things we really need.
Praying extra hard, being extra good ‘cause Jesus
I think that You’re the only one that’s listening to me.*
* * *
Frank led the way back to St. Paul’s Mission with Rachel beside him. Joe followed with Faith sleeping soundly in his arms. Upon their return, the Hardy boys wished ‘Merry Christmas’ to the Pritos and Chet.
“Thanks for taking Chet home for us, Mrs. Prito,” Frank added.
The plump woman smiled. “Merry Christmas, Frank and Joe!”
Frank ran inside the church to thank Father Minnetti and the nuns while Joe and Rachel secured Faith in the van.
By the time they arrived at the old house on the corner of High and Elm streets, Faith was awake and bouncing on the seat in the back of the van. Her hazel eyes sparkled and she was smiling from ear to ear.
“Our mom is really excited about having a little girl in our house,” Frank commented to the energetic child as he steered the van into their driveway.
“That’s for sure,” Joe chimed in. “She’s only had a couple of rough-neck boys to cope with for the past eighteen years.”
“Not to mention she’s survived cleaning Joe’s room,” Frank teased.
Joe couldn’t help but join in the laughter as he heard Faith’s sweet giggle.
The boys ushered Rachel and Faith through the back door into the Hardy’s bright, cozy kitchen.
“Welcome!” Laura Hardy enthused as she purposefully met Rachel’s eyes. “We are so happy that you could share Christmas with us this year!”
Rachel smiled and extended her hand to Laura. “Thank you for opening your home to us. I’m Rachel Woods and this is my daughter Faith.”
Laura warmly shook Rachel’s hand, and then knelt down to Faith’s level. “Hello sweetheart. Joe has told me all about you and we are so glad you’re here.”
Faith glanced up at Joe. “Me too!” she exclaimed.
In no time, Laura had their visitors upstairs. “The guest room is all ready for you,” she said as she opened the door.
Rachel gasped in awe as they entered. The soft green walls with the lacy white curtains over the window gave the room a light, airy feel. Around the top of the wall there was a rose and trellis border. The queen-size bed was covered with a deep rose colored comforter. The white-washed furnishings gave the whole room a cozy cottage look.
Faith was immediately drawn to a large rocking chair in the corner near the window. The precocious child hopped on the seat and began rocking back and forth.
“Let me show you the bathroom while Faith is occupied,” Laura suggested. She led Rachel across the hall. “This bathroom is just for you and Faith while you’re here. I think you’ll find everything you need, but if I have forgotten something, please just let me know.”
Rachel knew she should say something, but she couldn’t find the words. Instead she smiled and nodded. Laura squeezed her shoulder and wished them both a good night.
Rachel found a soft pink night gown hanging on the back of the bathroom door. An attached note had her name on it. She caressed her cheek with the fabric.
“Mama?”
Rachel looked up and saw Faith at the door holding tightly to a large blue t-shirt. “Hi honey. What have you got there?”
“It’s from Joe. He said I could use it for my jammies,” Faith replied, holding it up to her. It was obviously one of Joe’s own shirts and would make a rather spacious night gown for Faith.
It was after 11 o’clock by the time Rachel and Faith were bathed and climbing into the large, comfortable bed.
Rachel listened for sounds of the Hardy family moving about the old house, but she heard nothing. She settled in next to her daughter, certain that the generous Hardy family had all gone to bed, too.
“Mama?”
“Yes Faith?”
“Will Santa find me here?”
Rachel didn’t know what to say. She thought of the dollar in her coat pocket. Faith was not a greedy child. She would appreciate the gift, no matter how meager.
“Yes honey; Santa will find you.”
* * *
While Rachel and Faith were upstairs getting ready for bed, Carolyn Shaw, Callie and Vanessa dropped by the Hardy home.
“Ah,” Laura greeted the guests quietly, “my little elves!”
Carolyn chuckled. “Here is the sweater set and the doll. This was fun, Laura. Are they here yet?”
“Upstairs,” Laura replied, with a nod of her head. “I just want this to be special for Rachel and Faith.”
“Did you speak to Tigh Cassidy ?” Carolyn said, placing the wrapped packages on the kitchen table. Carolyn looked expectantly at her friend.
“Yes,” Laura beamed. “He said he’s sure he can help.”
Her friend clapped her hands together, “That’s wonderful news! This Christmas just keeps getting better.”
“Mrs. Hardy, where are the boys?” Vanessa asked, when Frank and Joe didn’t come to see them.
Laura gave the tall blonde girl a smile. “They found a store that was open until mid-night. They went to pick up a few more things for Faith.”
Vanessa grinned, “I can just picture them walking in the toy aisle with all those dolls and frilly girl toys.”
“On that note girls, we’d better go. We need to drop Vanessa off at home and then head home ourselves,” Carolyn said.
“Thank you all for helping,” Laura told them as they put on coats and headed outdoors.
“It was our pleasure,” Callie answered. “Vanessa and I will be here in the morning to see Faith open her gifts, if that’s okay.”
“See you in the morning,” Laura replied, waving good-bye.
Laura carried the gifts into the family room and placed them under the Christmas tree. She made sure Faith’s gifts were right in front.
“You’re really looking forward to this, aren’t you?” Fenton asked his wife as he entered the room. He was dressed in his pajamas and a thick, dark red bathrobe.
“I am,” she replied, standing up and hugging him. He smelled like soap and she snuggled closer. He wrapped his arms around her.
“I’m proud of the boys for wanting to help Rachel and Faith,” she continued.
“You raised them right, Laura,” Fenton agreed. “They’re good boys.”
* * *
Across town at the discount department store, Frank rolled his eyes for what felt like the fiftieth time. “You cannot buy a little girl Matchbox® cars, no matter how much you like them, Joe!”
“Why not? How do you know Faith will like dolls more than cars? I think she’ll love them!” Joe countered stubbornly.
“Fine. Whatever,” Frank finally gave up and they went to the checkout counter to pay for their purchases.
Frank looked down on the conveyor belt at his purchases: a “Christmas Splendor” Barbie®, a pink jewelry box complete with an assortment of glitzy “jewels”, and a Disney Princess® coloring book and crayons. He couldn’t help but shake his head and smile at Joe’s collection of gifts, just a few inches away. There was the package of Matchbox® cars, a large bag of M & M® candy, a stuffed dog and the only really girl-y thing, a fancy purple hair band.
“Let’s hurry home and get these wrapped,” Joe stated enthusiastically as they loaded their purchases in the van. “If we hurry, we might actually get a few hours of sleep before Christmas morning arrives!”
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The Hardy Boys belong to Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Foundation. The Hardy Boys Fan Fiction authors of the Hardy Detective Agency have just borrowed them for an adventure or two. The authors promise to put the boys back when they are done with them. The authors do claim copyright to the original characters in this story. Please do not borrow original characters without express permission of the authors.