Read Mrs. Shepherds Dolls - A Christmas Story for Free Online

her up
along with the lights.
    “Well, she can have my dolls.” A little girl
offered.
    “Yeah, she can have my dolls too.” Misty
said.
    “She can have my poppy.” Amy also
offered.
    “Wow, that’s a stupid name.” Jenny said.
    “I don’t think it’s so stupid.” Heather said
and then whispered to Amy that she had one too.
    “All right, it’s all settled, we’re going to
fill those shelves up with our dolls.” Jen said.
    When they looked at Jen quizzically, Jen
simply said, “Yes, I still have some myself, want to make something
of it?”
    “I think that’s pretty cool.” A boy with
tousled blond hair said to Jen, who smiled at her.
    “Hey Mike, where’d you come from?” Some of
the girls asked.
    “I heard about poor Mrs. Shepherd, and I’m
here to help. So, who needs help?” He asked.
    “I could use some help getting the lights to
come on in the kitchen.” Jen said.
    “Hey, that’s cool with me, let’s go.” Mike
and Jen started off towards the kitchen leaving the two girls who
had abandoned Jen on her first day of school to sigh over Mike.
    “What on earth? Where have you girls been all
day?” Bob asked Brenda as he sidestepped ladders and lights coming
into Ruth’s house.
    Brenda explained everything to Bob and he was
truly taken aback at what had happened to that sweet lady.
    “Shouldn’t someone go up and look in on her?”
Bob asked.
    “Taylor keeps going up every half hour to
check on her. We took her a sandwich and some milk not long ago.
Tomorrow, Taylor is going to take the money Eunice stole and put it
back in Ruth’s account.” Brenda said.
    “So, where is this Eunice right now.” Bob
asked.
    “Oh, we kicked her out. She left bag and
baggage a few hours ago.”
    “Oh really?” Bob said with a questioning look
on his face.
    “What’s up?” Brenda asked.
    “I’m not sure, but if Taylor is going to put
the money back into Ruth’s account, what’s going to keep Eunice
from taking it back out? She must have some kind of way of getting
into her account. Maybe Ruth gave her access to her account. Maybe
she can withdrawal money anytime she wants. We need to talk to her,
or maybe Taylor should go up and gently ask her some questions.”
Bob advised.
    Taylor went up to Ruth’s room and sat on the
edge of the bed.
    “Ruthie? Ruthie are you awake?” Taylor padded
her hand.
    “Oh Taylor, I thought I heard angels
singing.” Ruth said looking up at Taylor and smiling.
    “No sweetheart, that’s just some carolers
going up and down the street singing Christmas songs.”
    “Oh dear, I always invite them in and give
them some cookies.” Ruth said disappointed.
    “We’ll rustle something up for them, don’t
you worry. Now, I need to ask you something, have you given Eunice
control over your bank account?” Taylor asked.
    “Goodness no, she isn’t good with money and I
told her she could have the money in the roll top desk for any
expenses she might have. There was cash in there and oh dear, my
check book too.” Ruth said trying to sit up in bed.
    “How about that old sponge wear sugar bowl?”
He asked.
    “No, there’s nothing but sugar in there. No,
I would never trust Eunice with any money. You can’t trust her.
Just ask her parents. She almost bankrupt them. Why do you ask? And
where is she?” Ruth asked.
    “Now don’t get upset, but she’s gone.” Taylor
said gently.
    “Hallelujah!” Ruth laughed. “I’m so glad that
sourpuss is gone. Kicked her out did you?”
    “Yep, that’s about the size of it.” Taylor
laughed.
    “Well, she almost starved me to death. I’m so
glad I have friends like you and Brenda and the girls. I don’t care
if no one else could make it to the hospital the day I fell. I was
hurt at first but….”
    “Couldn’t make it? Are you kidding? The
waiting room was full of people from all over town waiting to hear
how you were. We were all there for hours. Brenda refused to leave.
Why on earth would you think that?” Taylor