Pg.4 of 9: The Christmas of '39

The Creative Expressions of... Bill Vivrett

Updated 12.24.04

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                             THE CHRISTMAS OF '39            Page 4 of 9

    �Well, we�ve got to move or starve, so we�ll move-in with my folks and you will be closer to day work in St. Louis. We�ve got to go where the work is and look for a house to rent, soon as we can,� her voice trailing off as this last part seemed to much to hope for.
    With that, Buck�s countenance collapsed; mostly because he knew she was right about all of it.
    This time it was young Billy who broke the table tension. �Momma, I hurt in my heart,� was all he said and he said it plainly.
    On the morning of December twenty-fourth, Margaret was ready to ride to the country and enjoy Christmas with Aunt Maggie�s five children. �Where are they?� She wondered aloud, waiting for her ride. Uncle Pat was never late.
    �Damn! This street I�m lookin� for ain�t on my map,� Mike Kelly exploded, after checking the delivery address in Pevely, Jefferson County, with his route map. Just as quickly he had the solution. �I�ll ask the local boys at the filling station,� smugly overlooking the corner bar and its occupants.
    In the hill country, the family was moving once again.
    �Now, don�t you move just rock and watch,� Mother said as she tucked Billy into his white wicker rocking chair in the middle of the front yard. �Billy, sing �Jesus Loves Me� or �Cherry Pie�,� she suggested as she returned loading their car. He was content. He loved that rocker.
    �Can she bake a cherry pie, charming Billy?� �I like that part,� he thought to himself.
�Momma, my heart feels better,� was all he said.
    They were not taking much, only what Dad could tie on top or squeeze into the trunk.
    �She�s yours,� Dad told their nearest neighbor when he took the cow over there.
There was a lot for Billy to watch. He kept singing to himself.
    �Damn! This here tears it,� Dad shot out. All five children knew he was furious and they must be silent. Billy stopped singing but kept rocking, humming to himself.
    �What is it, Buck?� their Mother ventured as she hurried out of the house one more time and her five little rabbits hunkered down. None had heard him this angry.
    �Well, we�ve got to move or starve, so we�ll move-in with my folks and you will be closer to day work in St. Louis. We�ve got to go where the work is and look for a house to rent, soon as we can,� her voice trailing off as this last part seemed to much to hope for.
    With that, Buck�s countenance collapsed; mostly because he knew she was right about all of it.
    This time it was young Billy who broke the table tension. �Momma, I hurt in my heart,� was all he said and he said it plainly.
    On the morning of December twenty-fourth, Margaret was ready to ride to the country and enjoy Christmas with Aunt Maggie�s five children. �Where are they?� She wondered aloud, waiting for her ride. Uncle Pat was never late.
    �Damn! This street I�m lookin� for ain�t on my map,� Mike Kelly exploded, after checking the delivery address in Pevely, Jefferson County, with his route map. Just as quickly he had the solution. �I�ll ask the local boys at the filling station,� smugly overlooking the corner bar and its occupants.
    In the hill country, the family was moving once again.