Adult Honourable Mention A BERMUDAFUL CHRISTMAS "Mommy Mommy! Daddy's coming home today!'' Deanna said bursting through the door, her face beaming with joy.

`Poor girl, she really believes that. Oh Leon, how could you let this happen.' "Sweetheart,'' she said with tenderness in her voice, "I keep telling you not to get your hopes up.'' "But Ma-Ma, he's not going to miss Christmas with us,'' she said looking at her mother with her innocent brown doe-like eyes.

It was heartbreaking for Angela to know that she couldn't give her daughter the one thing she wanted the most in the world on Christmas day.

"And guess what else is going to happen today,'' Deanna said with a secretive smile on her face.

"I don't know, what?'' she asked playing along.

"It's going to snow!'' "Girl have you been walking through Court Street or something!'' she said laughing at her seven-year-old pride and joy. "It might snow out stateside somewhere, but you won't be seeing any snow on this forgotten little island!'' "It will this year!'' Deanna insisted.

"And just what makes you so sure Princess?'' she asked looking very amused.

"Cause my friend told me so,'' she answered quietly, suddenly looking uncomfortable.

"Talk up Deanna, you know I can't stand it when you start mumbling.'' "Cause my friend told me so,'' she said a little louder, avoiding eye contact.

`Oh please,not today!' she thought to herself. "I hope you're not talking about that crazy old woman!'' Angela said already knowing the answer from the guilty look on her face. "This mysterious friend of yours, that you never introduced me to.'' "But she's not a crazy old woman, she's my friend!'' she said through quivering lips as the tears fell down her face, "and she's the only one that I can talk to about daddy!'' Angela's heart sank as she watched her daughter retreat to the safe haven of her bedroom. `Great! Just great, Christmas day and I've got the most miserable girl in Bermuda on my hands.' Ever Since Leon went out of their lives, hard times had come crashing down. Angela sat down on the living room couch and stared at the pitiful little Christmas tree sitting in the corner of the room.

It was less than four feet high, with a string of colourful lights wrapped around it to camouflage its frail frame. Even still the few presents wrapped around its base was enough to impress Deanna, and that was all that mattered! It was in this same living room that only two days ago, Mr. Davis was here being his usual self. If she didn't think that it was Deanna knocking at the door, she would have never answered.

"I want my six thousand dollars!'' he demanded, as he walked pass her uninvited. "You are now four months behind in rent!'' "Mr. Davis,'' she said in a voice that was the epitome of humbleness, "I still don't have your money, but I assure you that you will be paid in full in the new year.'' "Promises! Promises!'' he said raising his voice. "I think it would be best for you to find another place to stay.'' "Mr. Davis, I can't believe that you could come in here two days before Christmas, and suggest that I should start looking for a new place of residence!'' she said staring at him in disbelief.

"What kind of man are you?'' "A business man!'' he barked out quickly.

"You know Mr. Davis, I really wonder if all those politicians that you wine and dine with, know what type of man you are. I sure wish Jennifer Smith herself could be a witness to this side of you!'' "Really Mrs. Thompson,'' he said immensely enjoying her discomfort, "I didn't come here to discuss politics with a pond dog!'' He took a moment to laugh at his own joke. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'll show myself out...

And by the way,'' he gave her a dark sinister look before he continued, "tell that husband of yours that I said hello.'' Even though that was two days ago, she could still hear his evil laughter ringing in her head. `I must be losing my mind!' she thought to herself. `Here it is Christmas day, and I'm letting that slum-lord spoil my holiday.' She got off the couch finally starting to feel the Christmas spirit once again. After she got things rolling in the kitchen, she headed towards her daughter's room determined to make the remainder of this Christmas a merry one.

Deanna laid on her bed still weeping because of the broken promises that were made to her. Earlier that day she went to see the old woman at her usual spot.

Right in front of the Salvation Army was their usual meeting place. She had met the old woman shortly after her father had went away. She went there just to give the old woman a homemade Christmas card, and in the spur of the moment she decided to invite her over for Christmas dinner. The old woman was so overwhelmed that she started shedding tears of joy.

"That's why I picked you,'' the old woman told her, "because you're a special little girl. You've given this old woman the best gift anyone could ask for, you've given me the gift of love!'' Deanna didn't expect anything in return for her kindness, but her old friend kept insisting.

"Surely there's something that you want for Christmas,'' she kept pressing.

Finally Deanna told the old woman how much she missed her father, and how happy she would be if he were to come home for Christmas. The old woman simply smiled, and told her that it was the least that she could do for her rare display of generosity.

"And since you're such a special girl, I think you deserve something more!'' she said smiling warmly before closing her eyes and going into what appeared to be a deep meditation. "I've got it!'' she exclaimed triumphantly. "It's going to snow today, just for you,'' she said looking directly into Deanna's eye.

If anybody else would have told her that she would never have believed them, but the old woman was as serious as serious as justice Ward when she made her promise.

"Now you run along home,'' the old woman said kindly, "I've got a lot of work to do,'' were the last words she had told her.

"Deanna?'' Angela whispered, walking softly through the door. "Honey it's getting late and you haven't opened any of your presents.'' "But daddy's not here yet,'' she said miserably, "and she promised me that he was coming.'' "Honey, daddy may not be here now,'' she said soothingly as she wrapped a loving arm around her, "but he won't be gone forever.'' "But I miss him so much.'' "I do too,'' she said softly. "But until he gets back we're going to have to be strong.'' "Okay, Ma-Ma, I'll try,'' she said bravely as she wiped the tears from her eyes.

"That's my Princess,'' she said giving her a comforting hug. "Now let's get something to eat. Some food will make you feel better.'' Angela watched in torment as Deanna slowly pushed her food around on her plate, with as much excitement as a game of solitaire. After what seemed like an eternity of torture, Angela was frantically thinking of a way to cheer up her daughter. She almost screamed "Hallelujah!'' when a familiar knock came from the door.

"That sounds like your Uncle Wise,'' she said rushing to the door. "I didn't expect him to come over today.'' In her haste she didn't notice Deanna running back to her bedroom. "When she opened the door she was briefly stunned. She had never seen this person before in her life. "Who are you?'' she blurted out unceremoniously.

"Merry Christmas!'' countered a voice as sweet as the sound of gospel music.

"I'm sorry!'' Angela said slightly embarrassed because of her bad manners, "I was expecting somebody else. Merry Christmas!'' she said warmly. "How can I help you?'' "I was hoping to see Deanna.'' `This can't be happening!'' she thought to her self. This woman standing in front of her had to be at least 90-years-old, yet her voice was young, fresh and full of energy. Her silver grey hair was sticking out from under a scruffy looking wool hat that came down over her ears. Her small aged body was hidden under several layers of assorted clothing that was covered with a long dusty black coat, which was more than adequate to protect her from the cruelty of Bermuda's dampness. The icing on the cake was a brown paper bag that she had clutched in her hands, which no doubt contained the few meagre possessions she had left in the world. `Deanna's mysterious friend ... is a Bag Lady!' "Deanna,'' she called out as she ushered the old woman to the living room couch, "somebody's here to see you.'' The old woman sat on the seat smiling while Angela stood in silence observing her. Another peculiar thing about the bag lady, was the aroma that she seemed to caress having surrounding her. Angela expected her to smell like mothballs or something, yet it was nothing like that at all. The scent was like something that fell out of a garden in heaven. If Angela could get pass the absurdity of the situation, she would ask her for the name of whatever it was she was wearing.

"You came!'' Deanna said running into her arms. "I knew you would come, I just knew it!'' "Take it easy before you crush my old bones,'' she said not really meaning it. "Deanna,'' she said solemnly after they embraced. "I don't like long goodbyes, so I'm going to be straight with you.'' "Don't worry,'' Deanna said, with an understanding look on her face. "I kind of figured that you wouldn't be able to keep your promise.'' "Oh did you?'' the old woman said looking amused.

"I'm just glad you came,'' Deanna said genuinely.

"Wait a minute,'' Angela said tired of standing on the sidelines, "look Miss...'' "Eyvonne.'' "Whatever, I don't appreciate what you told my daugh...'' She was interrupted by a knock at the door. "Get the door, Deanna!'' "I said get the door!'' she said in her no nonsense voice that always made Deanna jump to whatever task.

"Now getting back to you Miss!' "The old woman was staring at the Christmas tree as if she didn't have a care in the world.

"I don't know what you thought you were doing ...'' "Ma-Ma!'' "Not now!'' "But!...'' "Not now Deanna!'' "Mr. Davis is here!'' Deanna sounded off, looking back at her mother with a worried look on her face. "I have something for you,'' he said scornfully as soon as Angela reached the doorway.

"Perhaps tomorrow would be a more appropriate time Mr. Davis,'' she said tightly, not wanting to get into a confrontation with Deanna standing right beside her.

"I'm a busy man, and this is for you,'' he said as he thrust an envelope right in front of her face. "It's an eviction notice!'' "You're just a heartless monster!'' she said furiously as she snatched the envelope out of his hand.

"There's no need for name calling,'' he said grabbing his heart as if he was wounded.

"You ain't heard name calling yet!'' she said stepping through the door, Deanna her faithful sidekick. "You're a cold ja ...'' "Anthony!'' the voice came thundering from behind them, "go home!'' The arrogant look on his face was instantly replaced with a mask of sheer terror. "Who are you?'' he asked timidly trying to see past the duo that was blocking his view.

"You know exactly who I am!'' roared the hidden voice. "Leave this place, and trouble these people no longer!'' He needed no more words to convince him. He snatched the envelope from Angela, mumbled a quick apology, and headed to his car with the speed of a jackrabbit! Angela and Deanna stood side by side, watching as his car went speeding recklessly over Deep Dale hill. Neither one of them noticed the taxi that stopped in front of them until its passenger came out.

"Daddy!'' "Leon!'' Deanna reached him first and jumped into his arms. Angela came up from behind and sandwiched Deanna in between the both of them. There on Parson's Road stood perhaps the three happiest people on the whole island.

"How'd you get out Daddy?'' "That's just it!'' he said looking from one to the other. "I don't understand it. Somebody in the new government allowed a couple of the role models, that had less than two months to go home! So here I am, Tahdaah!'' "But she said you were coming home!'' Deanna said, in awe.

"I almost forgot! Let's go inside,'' she said as she dashed back inside.

"She's not here!'' she said to Deanna after a quick look around.

"Who are you talking about?'' he asked closing the door behind him.

"Let's go back outside,'' Angela said rushing back outside.

When they all reached outside, all three of them were in shock from what they saw. It was Deanna who was able to speak first. "I told you it was going to happen Ma-Ma! I told you!'' "Yes you did honey, yes you did!'' her mother said slightly above a whisper.

"I don't know what you two are talking about,'' Leon said, clearly amazed, "but this is the first time in my life, that I've ever seen snow!'' SHORT STORY COMPETITION CPN