SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS'' My name is Megan. I was adopted, and I'm nine years old. The orphanage I came from was very strict. I had two best friends. Diane and Caitlyn. When I first saw my new mother, I was afraid. I was afraid I was going to fall in love with her and forget about my friends. So I ignored her and didn't' speak to her for about two weeks. She actually seemed friendly and I did like her. But I didn't show it. Why don't I start with when I first moved in?... "Hi, Megan. I'm going to be your new mom. You may call me Eva.'' My new foster mother has a soft and vibrant voice. She's tall and slim. She showed me my room. It was tall and wide. I've never seen a room as big as this in my whole life except the room in the orphanage which is larger because it has more than one bed in it. "Why don't you take a bath while I make us some lunch?'' Eva told me.

"Oh, no''. What if I have to eat at the table with her? She'll be talking and I might talk back. I'll make sure I won't!'' When lunch was ready, Eva called me down. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. I walked downstairs thinking about what I was going to do. When I was down there, Eva told me I didn't have to eat at the table if I didn't want to. "Would you like to watch T.V. while you are eating?'' Eva asked. I nodded. She told me I could eat in there as long as I try not to spill food on the couch. She gave me my food and showed me where the living room was and the remote control. I turned on the TV and started eating.

That night, when I was sleeping I had a dream about Caitlyn and Diane. We were playing tag. Diane was the tagger. We were having so much fun. I woke up right in the middle of my dream. It was four sixteen in the morning. My pillow was wet! I walked to the bathroom to see if anything was wrong. I looked in the mirror. I was crying. I was crying, because I missed my friends from the orphanage. I had to find a way to see them again! When morning came, I got up and got dressed. I walked downstairs into the kitchen. Eva was there sitting at the table with two breakfast plates. On the plates were bacon, eggs and French toast. "Hungry?'' Eva asked me. I didn't answer her. I jut sat down and started eating. "Would you like to go Christmas shopping with me, Megan? Eva asked "We could go to Trimingham's or Smith's.'' I shrugged. I might as well because it was one and a half weeks before Christmas. "Are you sure?'' I was thinking about buying you a Christmas dress and maybe some of your presents.'' I nodded, because I love going shopping.

It took fifteen minutes to reach town because Eva's house is in Warwick. We walked into Triminghams and looked around.

"OOHH this dress is pretty. Do you like this dress, Megan?'' Eva inquired.

The dress was green with a big red heart in the middle of it surrounded by white hearts. I shook my head. "This one is beautiful. Do you like this one?'' The top half was green and the bottom half was red. I nodded to indicate that I liked this one. Eva bought it and then we drove home. One week passed. It was December 20. Eva was in the living room reading a Christmas story, while I was in my room playing with a doll Eva bought me when I first moved in. "Megan, could you come downstairs for a minute please? I would like to talk to you.'' Eva called. I went downstairs to see what she wanted to talk to me about. I sat on the couch across from where she was sitting. I wanted to talk to you because I want to know why you don't talk to me. Could you please tell me?'' I took a deep breath. "I wouldn't talk to you because I miss my best friends.

Caitlyn and Diane.'' I had just spoken to Eva. I felt a little good about it.

"Oh! That's why. O.K. You may go back upstairs now,'' Eva told me. I walked upstairs and started thinking about what had just happened downstairs.

Christmas Eve was here and I was sitting down listening to Christmas songs.

There was a knock at the door. "I'll get it!'' Eva shouted. "It's a surprise for you, Megan!'' She called. I stood up to see who was at the door. There stood Diane and Caitlyn. My face broke into a huge smile. "What are they doing here, Eva?'' I asked in excitement. "I've adopted them,'' Eva replied.

"You have? Yes!'' I yelled. "Why don't you girls decorate the Christmas tree?'' Eva asked us. I couldn't believe Eva had done this for me. But I sure was happy! "Childhood's Faith in Sanat Claus'' -- 1887 SHORT STORY COMPETITION CPN