The Christmas Miracle

圣誕奇跡

Anna was tired of being treated like a child. Her mother didn’t seem to know the difference between six and sixteen. Christine, Anna’s mother, was tired of being treated like the enemy. Why couldn’t Anna understand that all she wanted was for her daughter to not experience the pain and heartache she had gone through? Of course, she was too ashamed to tell Anna about her past.

安娜因為母親老把自己當作小孩而厭煩不已。她的母親似乎并不明白六歲和十六歲的區別。安娜的母親克里斯汀則討厭總被女兒視為敵人。為什么安娜總是不能理解她?她只是不希望女兒經歷自己曾經遭受的痛苦和心痛。當然了,她羞于向安娜講述自己的過去。

Friday night had rolled around again and Anna and Christine were decorating the Christmas tree and arguing about curfew…again.

“Mom! You are so old-fashioned. My friends stay out until one.”

“What do you do until one o’clock in the morning?” Christine asked. “You’re not old enough to go to clubs, you can’t drink, you can barely even drive…” After a moment of hesitation she added, “I’ve just experienced some things I don’t want you to go through, but I’m going to trust you. You can stay out until one tonight, but absolutely no later! I want you in bed at 1:05. That gives you five minutes to get into the house and get in bed.”

“Thanks Mom! You’re the greatest!” she said, giving her mom a hug. Anna didn’t give a second thought to her mom’s past.

Anna’s best friend, Daphne, was in the driveway at 9:30 pm honking on the horn as usual.

“I’ll be home at one,” Anna said. “Thanks again, Mom. I love you.” She leaned over and kissed her mom on the cheek.

“I love you, too. Have fun.” Anna practically ran out the front door. She’s so full of life and energy, Christine thought. And I am not going to sit around all night worrying about her. She popped a movie in and settled down on the couch, looking forward to a quiet, relaxing evening at home.

Anna hopped into the passenger side of Daphne’s car with a huge grin on her face and screamed, “I’ve just got my curfew extended!” Then she leaned over and turned the radio up. Their favorite song was playing. The two girls belted out every word at the top of their lungs.

Christine had put in a second movie and was finally getting in to it when the phone rang. She paused the movie and grabbed the cordless phone. “Hello? …OH…MY…GOD! …I’ll be right there.”