Gideon's Gift Read Online Free

Sometimes they met with
     other people from church and visited hospitals or homes where old people with gray hair lived. Lots of times they painted
     a church or picked up dirty pop cans and hamburger wrappers along busy roads. Other days they knocked on doors and collected
     canned food for hungry people.
    She couldn’t explain it to her friends at school. But working with her parents and helping people was the happiest thing Gideon
     ever did.
    Right before she got sick her parents had talked about serving dinner at someplace called “the mission.” Then she’d started
     getting bruises and colds, and every time she brushed her teeth there was blood in her spit.
    After that she had to see the doctor a bunch of times and finally they told her she had leukemia. Gideon still wasn’t exactly
     sure what that was, but it was very bad. Worse than a cold or a flu or even chicken pox. Leukemia didn’t always hurt like
     those things, but it lasted longer. Sometimes it lasted forever. Gideon knew that because she’d heard her mom and dad talking
     about it.
    But now she was better. That’s what the doctor said. Maybe not better all the way, but better than she had been. And that
     had to be a good thing.
    The card game ended, and an hour later she was sitting by the window waiting when her mother came home. Gideon raced to the
     door and flung it open. “I’m better, Mommy. The doctor said so.” She wrapped her arms around her mother’s waist and held on
     tight.
    “Gideon.” Her mother dropped to her knees. Gideon felt her hair move with her mom’s warm breath. “Are you sure?”
    “Yes. Daddy can tell you about it.”
    Usually her mom’s hugs lasted just a little while. But this one went on for a long time. When her mother let go and stood
     up, she was wiping her cheeks.
    “You’re sad.”
    A big smile filled her mother’s face. “No, honey. I’m happy.”
    Gideon nodded just as her father and Dustin came around the corner.
    “Gideon’s better, Mommy! Gideon’s better!” Dustin jumped three times and raised a fist in the air.
    “You heard the news?” Her dad came up and hugged her mom. They looked so happy it made glad tears in Gideon’s eyes.
    “Is she… is it really in remission?”
    “Yes.” Her father tousled Gideon’s hair and patted Dustin’s head. “It’s going to be the best Christmas ever.”
    Gideon waited until they were finished talking. Then she stood before them and caught their attention. “Can I ask you something?”
    “Sure.” Her mother leaned against her father’s shoulder. They were still in a half hug with their arms around each other’s
     waists.
    Gideon hesitated while Dustin ran off to play. “There’s something I want to do. I’ve wanted to do it ever since I got sick.
     And now that I’m better…”
    Her parents gave each other a funny look. Like even though the doctor said so, they weren’t sure she was really that much
     better. “Okay, Gideon.” Her father’s eyes looked softer than before. “What do you want to do?”
    She took hold of her mom’s hand and looked at them both. “I want to serve dinner at the mission.” She started to smile. “Remember?
     We were going to do that before I got sick and you said we had to wait?”
    Once more her parents looked at each other, but this time her father lifted one shoulder. “D. J. called yesterday and asked
     about it. The holiday season gets pretty busy, I guess.”
    Her mom’s forehead wrinkled up a little and her mouth stayed in a straight line. But after a moment she nodded. “I guess we
     could give it a try. As long as Gideon doesn’t get too tired.”
    “Yes!” Gideon threw her arms around her parents. “When can we go?”
    “They need someone tomorrow night.” Her father bent down and kissed the top of her head. Her parents always did that. It was
     one of the reasons Gideon knew they loved her so much. “I’ll call D. J. and make the plans.”

    B efore she went to bed that night,