Keys to Her Future

Rebecca McCormick found herself doubting if life would ever be worth living again. Just one month ago she had been a very contented housewife and mother. She had kept busy with her home, her hobbies, helping around the farm and her community activities. At thirty, she had been so happy. When her children both entered school and her friends encouraged her to work like they were, she chose to stay home and continue life as it had been for the past eleven years.

Her husband, Mike, farmed with his father, and they both enjoyed the quiet life they shared. He was kind, patient, always gentle, and loving. Carrie and Andy, their children, were two years apart in age and great friends. Carrie, a quiet child who loved to read and enjoyed music, was the oldest. Andy was very active and extremely curious about everything in his world. Both did well in school and were well liked.

Around four-thirty Mike and the kids had gone into town for a movie. Their little ones were chatting excitedly about which film to choose.

This is how Rebecca would always remember them. They were gone now, all of them, and only she was left to go on.

With Christmas only a week away, Rebecca was miserable. Then a letter came from Mike's Aunt Edna in Minnesota. Mike had mentioned her a few times during their marriage but she had never met Edna. In the letter Edna invited Rebecca to visit "knowing this first Christmas would be a difficult time for her." She called the phone number on the letter to accept the invitation.

In spite of her apprehension, Rebecca was sure that this trip was what she needed to help her through the holidays and give her a chance to start rebuilding her life.

The long bus ride had been hard on Rebecca. The weight she had lost during the weeks following the funeral made her clothes loose; they twisted each time she tried to get comfortable. Her long auburn hair had been pulled several times as people moved through the bus. Everyone seemed to be going home for Christmas. They were a cheerful, friendly bunch, who often hummed along with carols on the radio. Rebecca could not bring herself to feel a part of them. She did not think she would ever see the sign for Little Lake, Minnesota.

As the bus pulled into the long awaited bus station, Rebecca had her first doubts about making the trip. What was she doing here? What kind of guest would she make? How would she recognize Aunt Edna's neighbor, or he her when he came to pick her up?

She had not collected her bags yet, and she was not too sure she wouldn't be back on the bus when it headed south again. She was digging her phone out of her purse when a good looking young man approached her.

"Hi," he said brightly. "I thought you'd be here later if at all. I can see you are looking for your ride and I'm it. From what I remember of the description I got, I thought you would be taller. No matter. Let’s get your bags, and we'll get going."

Rebecca did not know what to think. He did fit the description Aunt Edna had given. He was young, with brown hair and eyes, but how did he know who she was, Rebecca wondered? She knew that Aunt Edna had spoken to Mike's mother. Maybe Aunt Edna had passed along what she had learned from her, she thought wearily. In her exhaustion she gave up trying to solve the mystery. She decided to just accept her luck. They collected her luggage and started toward the main entrance of the bus station.

"We didn't know exactly when to expect you. You're lucky I had to see my cousin off tonight," he said as he led the way. "By the way, my name is Eric Northern," he called over his shoulder.

When finally they reached his four-wheel drive pickup truck, Rebecca was not sure she could climb in, much less stay awake and visit with Eric and then Aunt Edna. As she watched, he easily tossed her three bags into the back, then turned and, much to her surprise, grabbed her around her waist and just as easily placed her into the front of the truck, chuckling quietly as he did so. Rebecca was too exhausted to care what Eric found so amusing.

The truck stopped with a jerk in front of a rustic two story, farmhouse. Rebecca, embarrassed, realized she must have fallen asleep. The only thing in sight was the house surrounded by large oak trees that cast long shadows in the late evening light. It was dark with only the moon to light her way, and she was hoping Aunt Edna would understand her need to wait until morning to visit. After stepping down from the truck and coming totally awake in the crisp cold air, she noticed several other vehicles parked to the far side of the house. She was not sure just how many were there, as just the back of them showed around the corner of the porch.

"I hope a lot of fuss wasn't made of my coming," she commented.

"Not at all. They don't even know I have you yet. It is just a Christmas party," Eric replied grabbing her luggage. "They have one every year. You're going to love it here."

"You're going to surprise a lot of people tonight," he said with a broad grin on his face. "This is going to be fun!"

Eric opened the door wide and stood back to let her pass through. As he entered, loudly closing the door behind them, Eric shouted to all present, "She's here and in time for Christmas."

The first thing Rebecca did after being taken to a small room to freshen up, was close the door to shut out all the strange and curious faces. She stood with her head resting on the cool wood. She needed to calm down. With tears stinging her eyes, she realized what a huge mistake she had made by making the trip there.