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A New Hope for Christmas

By Erin Stevenson

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1

“Sunny!” Sam hugged his arms around his torso, bent his head against the frigid wind, and raised his voice. “Sunny! Get in here!” He really didn’t want to tug on his boots and coat and go all the way down the hill to the far corner of the backyard. He knew exactly where Sunny was.
Sam stamped his slippered feet on the mat and peered beyond his back deck into the darkness. He tipped his head back and stared into the night sky, searching for a speck of light, anything to penetrate the blackness that cloaked his soul. But it was completely cloud-covered. Not even one lonely star or dot of light to give him hope.
Approaching barking and galloping steps snapped Sam out of his reverie, and seconds later, sixty pounds of Golden Retriever slammed against his body. Make that wet, muddy Golden Retriever.
Sam grabbed the towel he kept by the door and wiped Sunny’s paws. “You’re such a beast,” he teased. Sunny lunged up to lick his face. She was full-grown but still had the energy and personality of a puppy. “What will I do with you?” he muttered as he dragged the dog into the house.
Sunny went straight for her water bowl.
Sam closed and locked the sliding door, suppressing another shiver. He crossed to the sink, washed his hands, picked up his mug, checked the coffee pot and grimaced. Only about two inches left, and it would be bitter and sludgy. He carried the pot and mug to the sink, dumped and rinsed them both. He didn’t need any more caffeine, anyway.
When he shuffled into the family room, Sunny met him with her favorite stuffed rabbit hanging out of her mouth. Sam ruffled the soft fur on the top of her head and wrestled the ratty toy away, then threw it to the other end of the room. Sunny galloped away.
He sank into the buttery soft leather couch and rubbed his hands over his face. Sunny appeared in front of him with the toy, but didn’t move. Sam’s shoulders sagged and he let out a loud sigh. “I know, girl,” he murmured. Sunny dropped the rabbit and laid her head on his knee. Her soulful brown eyes nearly did him in. Sam stroked her head. “I miss her, too.”
Sam gazed around the large family room with high, open ceilings and dark wood beams. His stomach bubbled. Would he even be able to keep the house? They’d bought it just six months ago, when they were dreaming big. Before everything changed in one heart-stopping instant.
That money is still there, just gathering interest. As soon as the thought flew into Sam’s head, he pushed it away. Just a year ago, Jennifer’s grandmother had died, leaving her a moderate but generous bequest. Jennifer was adamant that it would be used for something special to honor her cherished grandmother’s memory. She had just begun formulating some ideas when her own life was cut short. Sam pressed his lips together. It would be a sacrilege to dip into that money. As far as he was concerned, it didn’t exist.
What was left of the day’s fire simmered on the hearth, but there were no beautiful holiday decorations gracing the mantel. It was the first Christmas in this house, and he couldn’t even bring himself to put up a tree.
Sunny clambered up next to him and put her head in his lap. Sam supposed he should go upstairs, but didn’t have the energy. And truthfully, he slept better anywhere but in his own bed these days. He stretched out on the couch and pulled an afghan over himself, and Sunny settled in around his legs. Her soft warmth gave Sam a small measure of comfort.
But it was many hours before sleep claimed him.

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