The Turkey
By Gen1900
Fifty-year old, Janice Hunt, worked at a local food pantry. She met many sweet people on Thanksgiving. One particular person caught her attention.
She was dishing mashed potatoes as usual, to an older gentleman. He wore a holey gray coat which barely looked worth wearing in the cold winter air.
Another volunteer by the name of Sandra got her attention.
“Hey, psst, Janice! There’s a little girl over there by the front door. Do you want to see if she wants a meal?”
Janice immediately obeyed and dropped her station as Sandra took over. Her white short hair remained unmoved as she dashed frantically through the crowds of the needy. The little girl appeared as if she was going to quickly go away.
She swung open the front door and cried, “Wait, dear!” The little girl continued to walk quickly away.
“Stop!” yelled Janice.
The little girl then stopped, but did not turn to face her.
Janice’s eyes welled up with tears she beheld the tiny figure. She had a short- sleeved panda shirt and leggings. That was it. In twenty degree weather!
“You . . . want some dinner, honey?” Janice managed to choke out.
The innocent brown eyes looked directly at this rather petite woman.
“I . . . I’m not sure if I can . . . ” the little girl said.
Janice placed a hand on the girl’s shivering shoulder.
“Come on. I won’t bite, ” she reassured her.
The little girl was led inside, and fed two helpings of turkey.
The girl, whose name was never revealed, stayed all through that shift.
Janice was worried. Did this girl have a home?
As Janice, flicked the lights off in the dinning room, the little girl still sat at one of the tables.
“You have a home, honey?” asked Janice.
” Not anymore, ” the girl replied meekly. She yawned afterwards.
“You want to come home with me for the night?”
“Can I trust you?” the girl asked, concerned.
“Yes, ” answered Janice shortly.
And that was the beginning of quite a journey. Who knew that Janice would be the little girl’s adopted mother in the future. All thanks to two helpings of turkey . . . and Sandra’s good eyes.
Short Stories
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