Advent stories
The Christmas budget
She did nights stocking the shelves. She preferred this shift, no public to patronise or placate. Everyone was in such a rush these days. Manners and politeness drifted away as Christmas drew closer. The night work was in addition to her delivery job and the waitressing she did at the weekends. Three jobs and she still struggled to make ends meet.
A petulant daughter demanding the latest fashion and tech. Bemoaning her mother’s appalling choices. Rich in her own mind, without the benefit of wisdom or maturity. A list of expected gifts dashed off on pink post it notes.
Her delivery truck had been broken into, the articles inside stolen. She was responsible, it was her mistake to leave the van where she had. A hole in the finances she had built, something would have to be dropped off that pink list.
Why was it so hard? Why were the adverts so constant, so enticing? Her daughter watched them all. The expectation was tangible. It pushed her deeper into despair and a longing for the festive period to ‘back off’ a little.
She needed new shoes. But she bought another item from the list.
It was Christmas!