Crystal Clear Chapter 8 / Birthday Surprises

Crystal's ninth birthday was only a few day away and, even though she'd learned not to expect too much in the way of gifts, she'd been hoping for a puppy. Dad's old hunting dog was too old to run with her anymore and she'd been hinting about picking out a pup from the farmer down the road. He'd been posting a sign for free puppies the past few weeks. Her school grades were good and she'd been trying really hard to stay out of trouble. She was almost beginning to believe a birthday puppy was a possibility.

Crystal knew that money was tight because her dad was making payments on a new Studebaker he'd bought, and he'd also upgraded the outboard motor on his fishing boat. She'd even heard him and Momma arguing over "court costs" a few nights ago. She didn't know what that was but she knew it meant less money for groceries. But a puppy was free!

She was sitting on the front steps dreaming about that puppy when her dad pulled into the drive in his work van. It was a little early for him to be coming home from work, but she rushed over to greet him. He scooped her up and said, "Hey Crystal girl. Have I got a surprise for you! Go and get your mom and sister and have them come take a look at what I brought home."

A puppy, she thought. She raced in to get Mom and Amy. "Come quick. Daddy's got a surprise and it's almost my birthday." Amy ran with her to see. Mom walked slowly to the door saying nothing.

"What is it, Dad? Is it my birthday gift?"

"Well, Yeah, I guess it is, but I brought something for Amy too. Her report card was really good last week."

Something for Amy too? Crystal wondered. Well, that was fine, but it couldn't be two puppies and as much as she loved Amy, she sure didn't want to have to share her pup with her sister. The girls watched excitedly as dad opened the back of the van and brought out a bicycle, placing it in front of them. Then he reached in again and hauled out another bike, setting it in front of Crystal.

Crystals heart sank and her face fell. This was not just any bike. It was a rusty, black, boys bike with a torn seat and bent handle bars. Amy's bike was equally bent and rusted but at least it was a girls bike.

"But Dad." Crystal whined, "It's a boy's bike and besides, I don't know how to ride."

"Well, will you listen to little miss ungrateful over here. Gary was gonna throw these bikes out and he said I could have them for you girls. I'll just cut the top bar off so you can get on it easy like a regular girls bike. Then I'll repaint it just like new. We can use this weekend to teach you how to ride and by Monday you two can peddle yourselves to school."

"To school?" Crystal cried, "But Mom car pools us to school."

"Not any more, she doesn't." He said sternly. "Dad's got a little problem with his drivers license so your mom has to drive me to work and pick me up every night for a few months. She can't be carting you girls around anymore. Isn't that right Mom?" He glanced up through the screen door as he spoke.

"Right." Mom said as she turned and walked away.