A Real Christmas (Deleted Scene)

The lump of blankets on Tessa's single bed wriggled. "Hey, Mom?"

"Tessa, are you still awake? You should be asleep," Allison murmured, not wanting to wake Cami, who was asleep in her own bed.

Tessa turned on her side, facing Allison. "I can't. I'm not sleepy."

"Too much excitement, maybe." She perched on the edge of her daughter's bed and rubbed Tessa's leg. "Did you have fun today?"

"Mmm-hmm. It was nice of Mr. Haysgard to help us get a Christmas tree." She yawned. "I love our tree. It's so big and pretty."

"Yes."

"And it was funny when Mr. Haysgard put his mitten on Cami’s bare foot." She gave a little giggle as she spoke about her little sister losing her boot in a snowbank. Cami’s sock had gotten wet and Ward Haysgard  had used his mitten to keep her foot warm.

“It was pretty funny, wasn’t it?” Tessa's laughter made Allison's heart sing. Her serious girl didn't laugh often enough since her dad died. She stood and tucked in her daughter's blankets. "You go to sleep now. See you in the morning."

"Mom? How come people who are so mean can be nice, too?"

"What makes you ask that? Are you thinking about Tommy Pulaski?"

"Yeah. He teases kids a lot, but at school last week? When Peter Kenney forgot his lunch? Tommy gave him half of his baloney sandwich. And one of his cookies.” 

"Well, that was nice of him. So Tommy's not always a bully."

"But it's weird, because it makes me nervous. When he's there, I don't know if he's going to be nice or mean. I don't know what to expect."

"Well, maybe he's trying to turn over a new leaf. You said he got time out and missed recess.  Maybe he's learned his lesson and he's trying to be kinder to people."

"Maybe. I don't know how to act around him, though."

"Just be yourself, sweetie. You're a good girl. Maybe Tommy's tired of being mean and not having friends. But if he acts up again, I want you to let me know."

"I will. Mom?"

Tessa seemed determined not to let her out of the room. "What is it?"

"Do you like Mr. Haysgard?"

"I think he's a very nice man. Why do you ask?"

"I just wondered, that's all."

"Don't you like him?"

"No, I do. I just wondered if you could like him as much as you liked Daddy."

Allison's heart gave a bump. "Honey, I loved your father. I hardly know Mr. Haysgard besides working with him and the little bit of time we've spent with him. It's not the same thing at all."

In the nightlight's soft glow, Allison saw Tessa's forehead crinkle. "But if you did love him…or somebody else—"

"Tessa, you're worrying about things that might never happen. Or won't happen for a long time yet. One thing I know for sure. You and your sister will always come first with me. You are the ones I love. And someone were to come along…sometime…my love for them wouldn't take anything away from you and Cami. Love only gets bigger the more you give."

Tessa smiled. "How much do you love us?"

"A whole big bunch. As big as the world.”

“As big as the solar system?”

“Bigger. Big as the universe.”

Tessa's giggle was punctuated by Cami's soft snore, which made Allison and Tessa both laugh.

Allison gave her a kiss on the forehead. "Sleep tight."

"Okay. I love you too, Mom."

"Thank you, dear. That will give me sweet dreams tonight."