Sofia's Surprise

Chapter 1

Sofia unzipped her jacket pocket and squeezed her hand inside it. The paper bills, three quarters, two dimes, and three pennies jangled against her numb fingers. Would three dollars and ninety-eight cents be enough for a bottle of nail polish? Pink would look nice on Mom, especially if it had some glitter in it. Mom loved makeup and sparkly things.

Sofia shuffled along the sidewalk, skimming her wet sneakers over the half-inch of sloppy snow. Maybe Mom would give her boots for Christmas. It seemed like a more reasonable request than what she really wanted, what she'd dreamed of ever since she could remember. A horse.

She'd cut out pictures of horses and ponies of various colors and breeds, taping them onto the wall beside her bed in the trailer where she lived with Mom and Mom's roommate, Heather. Heather said her favorite was the galloping Arabian stallion, whose long white tail arched proudly over his back. Sofia loved the golden palomino mare with four white stockings.

"We should get both of them. They can have beautiful babies together," Heather told her.

Mom rolled her eyes. "Don't plant any of your foolish ideas in her head. You know I can't afford one. And where would we keep it?"

No, Sofia wouldn't be getting a horse for Christmas.

Or ever.

She paused in front of the pharmacy's entrance, staring at the twinkling lights above the door. She'd been inside several times with Mom, but never alone. Were nine-year-old kids allowed to go shopping without a grown-up? Her hand shook as she pushed the door open and stepped inside.

She glanced at the lady behind the cash register. The woman didn't yell at her to leave. In fact, no one seemed to notice her at all.

Sofia exhaled and studied the signs above the aisles. Where would nail polish be?

She wandered past shelves of shampoo and hair products before finding it across the aisle from the lipstick display. If she had enough money left over, maybe Mom would like some pink lipstick to match the nail polish. She lifted a bottle from the shelf and examined it. She didn't think Mom had a pearly pink color like this one.

$9.99?

How could a tiny bottle of nail polish cost almost ten dollars?

Sofia frowned as she noticed the prices of the other containers. Seven dollars. Five dollars. The cheapest brand cost $2.99. Nearly all her money.

Her color choices were limited to bright green, electric blue, fire engine red, and a shimmery silver color. She bit her lip. What would Mom like? She stretched out her left hand, holding the container of blue polish against her stubby, chewed on fingernails. How would this look on Mom's long, pale fingers?

Five minutes later, she settled upon the shimmery silver bottle, the color she thought looked prettiest against her own brown skin. Of course, Sofia would never wear nail polish, but Mom would look beautiful no matter what shade she wore.

Sofia had ninety-nine cents left. It wasn't nearly enough for lipstick, but the chocolate bars were on sale for ninety-seven cents. Heather loved chocolate. She counted on her fingers. If she bought one, the total would be $3.96. She'd have two pennies to spare!

The lady behind the cash register smiled when Sofia laid the two items on the counter. "That color will look lovely on you, sweetheart."

Sofia shook her head. "It's a Christmas present for my mom."

"Ah, that's so thoughtful of you. And the chocolate? Does your mom have a sweet tooth?"

"That's for my friend."

The lady nodded. "She's a lucky girl. That will be $4.20."

Sofia stared at the cashier. "Are you sure?"

The lady held out the receipt.

Twenty-four cents in tax.

Sofia's throat tightened. She'd forgotten about tax. "I'll have to put the chocolate bar back."

The cashier lowered her head and whispered, "How much do you have?"

Sofia's face grew hot as she showed the lady the handful of money.

The woman glanced around before reaching into her pocket. She put a quarter onto the counter. Sofia shook her head. Mom wouldn't like it if she accepted money from a stranger.

The lady ignored her silent protest and placed the nail polish and chocolate bar into a small, white bag. "Your mother is lucky to have a daughter like you. Merry Christmas, dear."

"Thank you." Feeling like an ignorant little kid, Sofia took the bag and bolted from the store. She ran down the sidewalk and turned onto Sullivan Street. If she hurried, she could make it home in five minutes.

Her wet sneakers slapped against the snow, sounding like the hooves of an enormous Clydesdale. She tossed her dark, tightly curled mane, and snorted, steamy breath rising from her nostrils.

A truck sped by, churning up a spray of gritty slush. Sofia leaped sideways to avoid being splattered, and skidded across the sidewalk, nearly colliding into an overflowing garbage can. Her arms flailed as she fought to keep her balance. The shopping bag flew from her grasp, and she tumbled onto a heap of trash bags, landing with a splat.

Sofia scrambled to her feet and wiped her hands on her jacket. Dampness seeped into her jeans.

Where was the bag containing the gifts?

Plastic bags, empty beer cans, and discarded takeout containers littered the sidewalk. Heart hammering, Sofia squinted to see through the growing darkness of the winter afternoon.

She spent all her money on the nail polish and the chocolate bar. Now she would have nothing to give to Mom or Heather. Her eyes prickled, but she refused to let herself cry. Her bag couldn't have disappeared. It had to be somewhere nearby.

She spotted it a moment later, a few feet behind where she'd fallen, next to... a Christmas tree? Why would someone throw out their tree a week before Christmas?

Sofia snatched her bag, relieved to find the contents undamaged, if a bit damp. Then she examined the discarded tree. Some of its plastic branches were bent at odd angles, and one limb had nearly broken off. Scraps of tinsel were wrapped around the top. She stepped around to the tree's trunk and lifted it from the snow.

They hadn't bought a Christmas tree yet. Mom said they could get one after Thanksgiving, but then her car's brakes started making a horrible noise, and fixing it cost a lot of money. Heather said not to worry about buying one. There were plenty of trees in the woods behind the school, and no one would notice if one went missing. She promised to take Sofia to pick out the perfect tree. But that hadn't happened, either.

Sofia unzipped her pocket and tucked the nail polish and candy bar inside. She glanced around the alley. If she took the tree, it wouldn't be stealing, would it? Whoever left it here next to the trash clearly didn't want it anymore. But would she be strong enough to carry it all the way home? She grabbed the plastic trunk with both hands, tugged, and dragged it onto the sidewalk. It slid easily on the slick, wet snow.

She shivered as she walked a quarter mile back to the entrance of the trailer park, looking forward to getting into warm pajamas. Maybe Heather would be home and make some hot chocolate. They could put up the tree and surprise Mom when she came back from work.

Christmas might not be a disaster after all.

Chapter 2

It was nearly dark by the time Sofia turned onto her street. Needles of pain shot through her fingers as she gripped the base of the tree, which had turned out to be considerably heavier than she originally thought. Her numb feet prickled. She couldn't wait to get out of her wet sneakers and into the warm house.

Light poured out from the trailer's door. Heather stood outside, leaning over the porch railing, talking to Lenny, a skeleton-thin guy who lived two trailers down from them.

Lenny glanced at Sofia and took a drag on his cigarette. He exhaled, smoke swirling around his greasy hair. "Hey, look what the cat dragged in."

Sofia's face flushed. She wasn't sure if he was referring to her or to the battered Christmas tree. Mom didn't like that guy. Neither did Sofia.

"No way!" Heather danced down the steps in her slippered feet, her large, beaded bracelets clanging against her wrist. "Where did you get that?"

"Looks like the kid's been dumpster diving," Lenny said.

Sofia glared at him, wishing he'd slither back to his trailer and leave them alone.

Heather lifted the top of the tree and brushed away a coating of grimy slush. "A real-life Charlie Brown tree."

Lenny snorted.

"All it needs is a bit of love." Heather grinned at Sofia. "Let's shake off the snow and get this lovely tree inside. Lenny, do something useful for a change and help us out."

Lenny shook his head. "It's probably infested with fleas or something."

Sofia's eyes widened. Was that why someone discarded the tree in the alley?

Heather punched Lenny's arm. "You're the only thing around here that has fleas."

Sofia couldn't stop herself from snickering when Lenny's face puckered into a scowl.

"Fine." He yanked the trunk from Sofia's grasp and shook it violently.

Gritty snow flew in every direction, pelting her arms and face. She yelped and leaped backwards.

"Merry Christmas," he growled, shoving the tree against Sofia's chest.

Heather's mouth fell open. "What the heck, Lenny. She's just a little kid."

Lenny glared, his yellowish eyes sinking even deeper into his skull.

Sofia clenched her teeth. I will not let him see me cry.

Heather placed her hand on Sofia's shoulder. "Come on. Let's bring your beautiful tree inside."

Ignoring Lenny, Sofia and Heather carried the Christmas tree through the narrow door into the single-wide trailer. The broken branch snagged on the door frame before breaking off entirely.

Sofia groaned.

"Don't worry about it," Heather said. "We can put that side against the wall. No one will even notice."

Sofia doubted anyone could miss the gaping bare spot, even with the tree pushed against the wall. Mom would see it the second she walked through the door. But having this Christmas tree was better than having no Christmas tree. And she'd been the one to provide it.

Heather was right. It just needed some love. And lots of decorations to fill in the gaps.

She removed her sneakers and peeled off her soggy socks. As she unzipped her jacket, she remembered the gifts tucked inside. She tapped her pocket. Still there. "I'll be right back."

"Are you hiding something from me?" Heather's green eyes twinkled.

Sofia grinned and shook her head.

"I know! You bought me those sapphire earrings I've been wishing for."

Sofia giggled. "You already have about a hundred pairs of earrings. And a thousand bracelets."

Heather tapped her chest and raised her eyebrows in mock surprise. "Are you calling me a jewelry addict?"

"Maybe." She darted through the tiny kitchen and down the narrow hallway to the room she shared with Mom. She pulled the curtain closed that separated her space from Mom's, and flopped onto the bed. Where should she hide the presents? Mom probably wouldn't look for them, but Heather? Sofia wasn't so sure.

She removed the bag from her pocket and tossed her wet coat onto the floor. Heather wouldn't go through her underwear drawer, would she? She slid open the drawer, placing Mom's nail polish in the back corner. Heather's chocolate bar could hide under the socks.

After changing into her fuzzy pajamas, Sofia wandered into the kitchen. Heather handed her a mug of hot chocolate with a large marshmallow floating on top.

"Thanks." Sofia brought the cup to her lips and blew on it before taking a tentative sip. Not too hot. Heather must have put some cold milk into it first.

"I can take the fairy lights down from my ceiling so we can put them on the tree," Heather said. "And I've got a bunch of construction paper under my bed. We can make paper chains."

"And snowflakes?"

"Yes!" Heather clapped her hands as she spun in a circle. "I have a surprise for you, but it seems silly to wait until Christmas. Wait here for a sec. I've got something for you."

She skipped into her bedroom and returned a minute later with a red and green plaid gift bag. She thrust it under Sofia's nose. "Put your cocoa down and open this."

Sofia placed her mug onto the kitchen counter and peered into the bag, which smelled faintly of cinnamon. She reached inside and pulled out a hard object wrapped in red tissue paper. She looked up at Heather, who was bouncing on her toes like a hyperactive kindergartner.

"Come on!" Heather urged.

Sofia unwound the tissue paper to reveal a figurine of a white horse with a Christmas wreath encircling its neck. A gold cord attached to a point just behind the horse's withers. She held him up, admiring his long, flowing tail. "He's so pretty. Can I put him on the tree?"

Heather nodded. "But look in the bag first. There are two more."

The second ornament featured a palomino horse with an orange carrot dangling from its mouth. "Oh! The first one is your Arabian stallion, and this is my palomino mare."

"Exactly. But keep going."

As Sofia unwrapped the third gift, Heather squealed as if seeing the present for the first time. "It's their baby!"

Sofia laughed. Heather was twice as excited as she was about these ornaments. "I love them. Thank you."

"I'm going to buy you the real thing someday. I promise." Heather held up the stallion and whinnied. She snorted and pretended to gallop to the wobbling Christmas tree. "If you wish really hard, Santa will make your dreams come true."

"I doubt it." Santa hadn't proved particularly reliable since her father had left. And it wasn't as if she hadn't already wished for a horse every day since she could remember.

Heather pouted. "Come on. Where's your Christmas spirit?"

Sofia shrugged.

"Let's decorate your tree. That will get you into the spirit." Heather plugged her dainty fairy lights into an electrical socket beside the tree, which now leaned heavily to the left. "Help me wind these around the branches."

An hour and a half later, Sofia admired their work. They'd filled the huge bald spot in the back with cut-out snowflakes, dangling from a construction paper chain. Heather found a jar of glitter in her craft supplies, which they'd sprinkled over most of their handmade decorations. Sofia's horse ornaments hung near the top of the tree, where everyone could see them.

She jumped when the door banged open.

"You're finally home!" Sofia was beside Mom in three steps, hugging her narrow waist.

"Honey Bear." Mom kissed the top of Sofia's head. "What on earth is that?"

Heather whirled around the tiny living room, her bracelets jingling on her raised arms. "This masterpiece is Sofia's Christmas tree. Isn't it beautiful?"

Mom raised an eyebrow. "That wasn't the word I was going for."

"Artistic? Creative?" Heather suggested.

Mom laughed. "Yeah. Very creative."

Heat spread across Sofia's cheeks. "It's a Charlie Brown tree."

"Charlie Brown trees are the best kind." Heather tousled Sofia's thick, black curls. "Full of Christmas magic."

"We could use some of that magic," Mom said, removing her winter coat and hanging it in the cramped closet. "Did you pay the oil bill, yet?"

Heather sighed. "I told you I'll take care of it."

"In other words, you haven't." Mom stomped into the kitchen, grumbling under her breath.

Sofia stared at the warm, yellow glow of the Christmas tree. If only wishing really could make dreams come true.

Chapter 3

Sofia woke with a shiver. She tugged her blanket tighter, wrapping it around her body like a cocoon. Her teeth chattered as she took in breaths of cold, damp air. A faint light trickled under the curtain dividing her part of the room from Mom's. Was it morning yet?

She buried her head under the covers and tucked her arms and legs into a ball. Squeezing her eyes shut, she willed herself to fall back asleep, but it was too cold. She needed another blanket. Or three.

"Mom?"

Sofia rolled out of bed, wincing as her bare feet touched the floor. She pushed the curtain back. "Mom?"

Her bed was empty. The smell of coffee wafted from the kitchen. Sofia pulled a sweater over her head and searched for a pair of fuzzy socks. Still shivering, she crept out of the bedroom.

Mom sat at the tiny kitchen table, a steaming mug in her gloved hands. "Good morning, Honey Bear."

"Why is it so cold?"

Mom pursed her lips. "Ask Heather."

Sofia looked into the living room. "Where is she?"

"Still in bed."

"It's too cold to sleep." Sofia wrapped her arms around her chest.

"Exactly." Mom sipped her coffee. "We're out of oil. Heather promised she'd take care of it. And we both know how trustworthy Heather's promises are."

"Oh." Sofia sighed and headed for the bathroom. Nothing like sitting on an ice-cold toilet seat to wake you up. At least the school bus should be warm.

As she returned to her room, she was tempted to crawl under her blanket and wish herself back to sleep, but what good would that do? She'd still freeze. Better to change into her clothes first, put her jacket on, and maybe some mittens, if she could find them.

"I guess you didn't take care of it, Heather." Sofia could easily hear Mom through the thin wall.

"Hey, I'm sorry." Heather's voice sounded thick and scratchy, like someone not quite awake.

"Sofia's freezing. Did you think about that when you blew your money on God knows what?"

"I didn't... come on. Can we talk about this later? I need some coffee."

Sofia grabbed a second pair of socks from her drawer and rushed into the kitchen. Maybe her presence would prevent a fight. Mom and Heather had been arguing a lot lately.

Heather poured coffee into her yellow, smiley face mug. The steam swirled in great plumes, rising above her face and tickling the ceiling. She took a sip, puckered her lips, and placed the cup on the counter. "Morning, Sofia," she mumbled, her gaze not meeting Sofia's.

"Hi." Sofia glanced at Mom before opening the refrigerator. "Do you want me to make scrambled eggs? Or toast? Anything warm?"

Her offer was met with silence as Mom glared at Heather. Wishing she stayed in bed after all, Sofia took out a loaf of bread and placed two slices into the toaster oven.

"You should call your mother," Heather said.

Sofia stared at Heather, wondering what she was talking about. "Mom is—"

Mom slammed her coffee onto the table. "We've been over this. I'm not asking her for anything."

"Not for us, then. For Sofia." Heather ran her hand through her snarled hair. "Don't you think she deserves a decent Christmas? Your mother wants to help."

Did Heather mean Gramma Lisa? Sofia hadn't seen her grandmother in years.

Mom growled. "We're not going to have this conversation in front of Sofia."

Heather stomped out of the kitchen, leaving her steaming mug on the counter.

"You should get ready for school." Mom rubbed her face.

Sofia shivered. "Will the heat be back on when I get home?"

"We'll figure it out, Honey Bear."

• • •

Sofia shed her sweater ten minutes after entering the fourth-grade classroom. Her bedroom may have felt like the North Pole, but Ms. Burrows' class was more like visiting the Amazon rain forest. She lifted her thick mass of curls and wiped the sweat from her neck, wishing she'd brought some elastics to tie up her hair.

Time slowed to a crawl. Ms. Burrows seemed to have forgotten it was the last day of school before vacation. She continued to drill them on their multiplication tables even as laughter and music erupted from the classroom next door.

On the bus ride home from school, Carolyn Hardy leaned over her seat to announce her plans for winter break. "We're going to Florida. Five days at Disney and three at Universal. We go every year."

Paige, who was sitting across the aisle from Carolyn, glanced up from her phone. "My family is skiing in Vermont."

"What about you?" Carolyn asked Sofia.

She shrugged. Hopefully not freezing to death. Why did Carolyn care? It wasn't as if they were friends.

Eliana turned and popped her head over the top of the seat to look at Sofia. "We're not doing anything either," she said through a mouthful of chocolate chip cookie she wasn't supposed to be eating on the bus. "Just boring stuff, like visiting my grandparents."

Sofia's stomach fluttered. Would she be going to Gramma Lisa's for Christmas? When was the last time she'd even seen her grandmother? She couldn't remember what her house looked like, but it must be somewhere near a hill with lots of trees.

Daddy had taken her sledding there. His muscular arms wrapped around her three-year-old body, holding her on his lap as they careened down the slope. When they reached the bottom of the hill, they'd almost slammed into a tree.

Daddy dug his boots into the ground, dragging the sled sideways before it came to an abrupt halt. Sofia cried out as the snow pelted against her head and face. She tumbled from his lap into the snow. He lifted her from the ground, hugging her against his chest. "Don't tell Mommy about that. Okay?"

But Sofia had told Mom.

She squeezed her eyes shut as the memories flooded back. Mom screaming at Daddy. Daddy yelling before driving away. Gramma Lisa rubbing Sofia's shoulders, telling her not to be afraid, that what had happened between her parents wasn't her fault.

But it was her fault. She'd told on Daddy. And not long afterward, he left her and Mom and never came back.

The school bus slowed, brakes grinding as it approached the entrance of the trailer park. Sofia stood and hoisted her backpack onto her shoulder.

"You can come over to my house if you get bored." Eliana wiped her mouth, leaving a chocolate smear across her cheek.

"Okay," Sofia said, though she didn't know where Eliana lived.

The bus driver pulled a lever, and the door whooshed open. "Have a nice winter break, dear," the bus driver said.

Sofia waved as she hopped down the steps.

Yesterday's snow had melted in the sun, filling the potholed road with puddles. She checked behind her to ensure no one was looking before breaking into a canter. Her backpack thumped up and down with each stride like a jockey. She was the horse, a Thoroughbred steeplechaser, galloping toward the jump. She hurled her body over the first puddle, landing safely on the other side. Other horses were straining to catch her, but she was faster, stronger. She sailed over the second jump. The third was at least a foot wider than the first. Could she make it?

The imaginary jockey flicked his whip, and Sofia surged forward. Up, up, over, over, and... splash.

Ice-cold water drenched her sneaker and seeped up her pant-leg.

A loud snicker erupted from behind her.

Lenny. Where had he come from?

"You missed."

"Oh, really? I hadn't noticed." Sofia glared at him.

Lenny crushed a cigarette between his fingers. "Hey, tell Heather I'm looking for her. She owes me fifty bucks, and I'm getting sick of her excuses."

"I'm not your messenger."

"You little..." Lenny used a nasty phrase that made Sofia's face burn. He stepped toward her with his fist raised.

Sofia turned and bolted toward her trailer. She scrambled up the steps to the door and turned the handle, but it wouldn't open. She glanced over her shoulder, terrified Lenny had followed her, but he remained beside the road, gesturing rudely at her.

Heart racing, she dug through the side pocket of her backpack to retrieve the key. She unlocked the door, rushed inside, then slammed the door closed, locking it behind her.

She dropped her backpack onto the floor and exhaled a long, shaky breath. Steam rose from her mouth. Though she wouldn't have thought it possible, the house was even colder than when she left that morning.

Mom and Heather had not figured it out.

• • •

"Honey Bear?" Mom's hand prodded Sofia's shoulder.

"Huh?" She rolled to her side, tugging the three blankets she'd piled over her body in an unsuccessful attempt to keep warm.

The mattress wobbled as Mom sat on the edge. "Wake up."

Sofia buried her head further under the covers. "It's too cold."

"I know. That's why you need to get up."

Sofia groaned.

"Come on. It isn't that bad."

"Yes, it is."

The mattress sprang back into its usual position as Mom stood. "I've got a surprise for you, Honey Bear. But you need to get out of bed."

Sofia emerged from her protective cocoon of blankets and sat up. "Good surprise or bad surprise?"

Mom was wearing her blue winter coat with the fur-lined hood. She smiled, though her pale lips barely moved. She must have been as cold as Sofia. "Your Gramma Lisa has invited you to stay with her over Christmas vacation. You remember her, don't you? She always sends you money on your birthday and Christmas."

Sofia nodded. She'd spent the last of that birthday money on Mom's nail polish and Heather's chocolate bar. "I don't really remember what she looks like, though."

"It's been a long time since we've visited."

"Is she..." nice? Sofia wasn't sure if it was safe to ask. Mom never talked about her mother.

"She's your grandmother. And she wants you to have a good Christmas. She's happy you'll be staying with her."

"But, you're staying, too, right, Mom?"

Mom looked away. "I have to work."

Sofia swallowed. "Can't you take a few days off?"

"Someone's got to pay that oil bill." Mom pushed back the curtain that divided their room. She reached under her bed and retrieved a battered suitcase. "We need to start packing. Your grandmother is expecting you before bedtime."

"I won't get to see you on Christmas?" Sofia fought to keep the rising panic from her voice.

Mom placed the suitcase on Sofia's bed without answering.

"Mom?"

"Make sure you pack lots of socks and underwear. And your pajamas. I have to take care of something. I'll be back soon. Then we'll need to leave."

Sofia blinked back tears as she opened her dresser. Why was Mom doing this to her? Dumping her off with someone she barely knew?

She grabbed a few pairs of socks to throw into the ugly suitcase, revealing the chocolate bar she'd hidden from Heather. What if she didn't see her before Christmas? And what about Mom's present? Should she give it to her now?

No.

Mom wouldn't leave her alone on Christmas. She must have a plan. A surprise. She'd drive back to Gramma Lisa's on Christmas morning. Then Sofia could give the gift to her. Mom would love the silver nail polish. She'd paint it onto her fingers and toes and give Sofia a hug and call her Honey Bear. And after eating Christmas dinner with Gramma Lisa, they'd come back to their warm home. They'd sit beside the Charlie Brown Christmas tree and exchange presents. Heather would twirl around the living room and declare that chocolate was her favorite food in the whole, wide world. It would be the perfect Christmas.

Unless it wasn't.

Chapter 4

Sofia tapped her jittery fingers against the passenger side window, tracing her initials on the foggy glass. "Are we almost there?" she couldn't help asking for the third time.

Mom sighed. "We'll get there when we get there."

Sofia slumped her shoulders. They'd been driving for nearly an hour. She wished she'd remembered to charge the old iPod Heather had given her. At least then she'd have something to listen to instead of the stupid talk show blasting from the radio. Eyelids heavy, her head bobbed before settling onto her chest.

"Wake up, Honey Bear. We're here."

Sofia blinked and wiped a trickle of drool from the corner of her mouth. She stared out the window into the darkness, making out the vague forms of trees and a mailbox. The car turned into a driveway which climbed up a short slope before leveling off.

They parked beside a pickup truck at the end of the driveway. The warm, yellow glow of electric candles shone from every window of Gramma Lisa's two-story house. The building on the other side of the driveway caught Sofia's attention.

"She has a barn?"

Mom turned off the engine. "Yeah."

"Does she..." Sofia's breath caught in her throat.

"Does she what?"

"Keep animals in there? Like horses."

Mom shook her head. "It's just an old barn. Full of junk, last time I was here."

Sofia's heart sank. Just a useless old barn.

And then she heard it.

A whinny.