The Christmas Phoenix Read Online Free

"Mr. Thompson's dog to be so traumatized."
    Rory shrugged. "He found a whole box of them. His dad got them out of state and had them stored for next Fourth of July."
    "So Zach stole them from his dad."
    Another shrug. "I guess so. He's in a lot of trouble."
    "I can imagine he is. And you were with him, so you're also responsible. I'm going to finish this sandwich, and then I'll take you over to Mr. Thompson’s house. Maybe you can get started on your homework before we go." She picked up her sandwich and started to eat. Rory had taken great care building this sandwich. He'd put mayonnaise on both sides, just the way she liked it, and added lettuce, cheese, and tomato slices in addition to the chicken. And he'd toasted the bread. Heaven.
    She munched happily, enjoying her meal, realizing this was the first meal her son had prepared for her by himself. He had helped Doug fix her birthday and Mother’s Day breakfasts, but that was long ago. He really was capable of feeding himself. Her dad had mentioned Rory needed more responsibility.
    â€œYou’re spoiling your son,” he’d said. “He’s going to turn into a wimp.”
    She'd thought he was being too hard on his grandson. "He's only fourteen, Dad," she'd insisted.
    A part of her knew her dad was right. But it was so hard. She'd start to ask Rory to take more responsibility, and she'd remember him standing at his father's grave, so lost. And then she'd do the work herself.
    â€œMom, have you ever heard of a phoenix?” Rory’s question brought her back to the present.
    She swallowed her bite before answering. “Sure. It’s a mythical bird that lives for a long time and when it burns, a new phoenix comes to life from the ashes. Why?”
    â€œWe’re studying myths in Language Arts. We’re supposed to write about a myth that applies to our lives. I think the phoenix’s story is a lot like us.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œBecause we had to start over again after Dad died. It was really tough for a while, like the fire and the ashes. But I think we’re starting to make it.” He bent his head over his notebook.
    Choking on the lump in her throat, Jess couldn’t have responded if she’d tried.

Chapter Five
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    Jake trudged out his back door, carrying Charlie under his arm. The puppy shivered, but not from the cold. He was still terrified to go outdoors, but he needed to do his business. And he needed the exercise. Jake set the dog on the ground, but Charlie spun around and ran back toward the house. He emptied his bladder by the door, and then yapped, wanting to be let in.
    Jake sighed. It looked like he was still going to be cleaning up after Charlie. Picking up the puppy, he glanced out across the yard. A lone figure trudged across the snow from the house across the gully. The petite woman looked up, as if greeting the day, and then went over to her woodpile. The power was out in the entire neighborhood, and Jake had been thankful for the gas fireplace in his sister's house. His house had warmed up quickly.
    But if Jess had to depend on wood, she'd need a lot more than the tiny pile in the back of her house. Where was that kid of hers? He should be out there helping her.
    Jake glanced over again. Jess was wielding a heavy scoop shovel, trying to knock the snow off the top of the woodpile. The snowfall in the last few days had been heavy, and she had her work cut out for her, especially with that huge shovel. He'd better go and help her. Opening his back door, he set the puppy inside and watched as Charlie dashed to the basement. He closed the door, went to the garage, and started up the snowmobile.
    He rode down the hill to the makeshift bridge and across, and then up toward her house. Jess continued to knock the snow off her woodpile.
    "Need help?" he asked.
    She yelped, and turned toward him, holding her shovel in front of her like a weapon. He backed away, holding his hands out in front of