His Holiday Family by Margaret Daley Page B

top rungs, wrestling with the wind to close the shutter. After finally shutting it, she swung around to stare down at her daughter. “What took y’all so long? I’ve got to go to the filling station and get gas. I only have a fourth of a tank. I should know better with a hurricane out in the Gulf. I always keep it topped off. But the storm fooled me when it turned toward Florida.”
    Ruth took a step down, lost her footing and began to fall. When she clutched the ladder, it teetered. Gideon hurried past Kathleen and grabbed it with one hand and steadied it against the house. Ruth sagged against the rungs.
    Slowly she made her way down to the ground and collapsed back against the ladder, her hands shaking. “My word, I had visions of me landing in the same spot as Jared, but I can tell you I would not be able to bounce to my feet like he did. And a broken arm would be the least of my worries.”
    â€œExactly, Mom. I told you I would do it.”
    â€œI’m gladly turning the job over to you—on one condition.” Her mother swept around toward Gideon.“You need to hold the ladder for her. The rungs are a little slippery and the wind is picking up. I’ll take the boys to the filling station with me.”
    â€œI’ve got a better idea. Take Jared. Kip will stay and help us.” Kathleen picked up the ladder and moved it to the next window.
    As the boys slowly walked across the front lawn, their heads down, their arms hanging listlessly at their sides, her mother leaned close to Kathleen and said, “Do you really want to do that? They will fight because one got to go with me.”
    â€œYes. I have a project for Kip.”
    â€œOkay, I’ve warned you. I’ll send him over here.” She sauntered to the boys, spoke to them and then Jared cheered while Kip trudged toward Kathleen with his shoulders slumped even more.
    â€œI need you to go next door and tell Miss Alice we’ll be over to her house to help her just as soon as we get through here. Then stay and make sure everything outside is put in for her.” Kathleen ascended the first rung.
    â€œAw, Mom, do I have to? She’s mean. She yelled at Jared and me when we came into her yard to get a soccer ball last week.”
    Clinging to the ladder, Kathleen shifted around so she could peer down at Kip. “Yes, you have to. We help our neighbors, especially in times of need.”
    â€œBut, Mom, she isn’t our neighbor.”
    â€œGo. I’ve got to get these shutters closed.” She waved her hand at Kip in the direction of Miss Alice’s house.
    When Kip stomped off, splashing water in the soggy grass as he went, Gideon used his lower limbs to anchor the ladder. “You are asking a lot of Kip.”
    â€œTell you a secret. When I was a little girl, she scared me, too. But she is eighty-six and not getting aroundlike she used to. She’ll need help through this hurricane.”
    â€œI already have it taken care of. Pete is coming over to help me with a couple of the older residents’ houses.”
    â€œDoesn’t he have to work at the fire station?”
    â€œLike the hospital they have two shifts. No one can do a good job if they are dead tired. He’s on the second shift after the hurricane passes.”
    Kathleen proceeded up the ladder and fought to close the shutter, then she descended and started all over with the next one. Three windows later, Kip ran back across the yard.
    â€œMom. Mom!”
    Kathleen jumped down several rungs to the ground and hastened toward her son. “What’s wrong?”
    â€œIt’s Old Lady Beggs. I knocked and knocked, but she didn’t come to the door. I peeked through the window. She’s sitting in a chair, her eyes closed, her head to the side.” Kip stood in the middle of the yard, chewing on his fingernail. “I really banged loud on the door. She didn’t move at all. I think she’s