Out of curiosity, Austin decided to attend the Christmas play at the auditorium later that day. He was surprised by how many people went to the event.

Mrs.Peterson was at the table collecting donations. “You don‟t have to give if you don‟t want to,” she told each person who walked through the door.

“Where do your donations go?” one man asked.

“To fixing the library, costumes and other supplies for future plays and additional books,” she warmly replied. “My goal

is to provide a fun place for adults and children to enjoy the thrill of reading.”

“I can handle that.”

“Oh, you can just slip the money into this box. I don‟t want to know who gives what. I‟m just pleased people offer so

much. This donation takes care of the entire year most of the time.”

“Well, I can‟t wait to see Tristan‟s play this year,” another man commented. “My son is one of the lead characters.”“Really? My little Anna is one of the Temptations.

Austin watched the scene in amusement. He saw people from all economic levels enter the auditorium. Some were dressed nicely and others were dressed poorly, but all of them were in good spirits and expected to enjoy seeing their children, grandchildren or nieces or nephews who were involved in the

production.

As he placed his donation in the box, Mrs. Peterson stopped him. “Will you be joining me and my husband for dinner after the

show?”

“No. I have other plans.”

“Oh. I thought since your wife was coming over that you would too.”

He frowned. Claire didn‟t tell him that she was going to Mrs. Peterson‟s house.

“It‟s a tradition we have. To thank her for all her work in putting the play together, I have her over for dinner. We only do it once a year,” she continued. “I suppose I should be honored she comes by that often because she already declined several invitations to luncheons and dinners. She‟s very selective about who she chooses to spend her time with.”

“She told me she looks forward to her quiet time at home.”

“Yes. She always has her nose in a book when she‟s not Entertaining the children at the library.”

“Is that what her job is?” He hadn‟t thought to ask anything about it before.

“It‟s one of her jobs. She also updates the card catalogue, puts books back on the shelves and orders new books.

Sometimes someone will come in looking for a certain book but they can‟t remember the name of it, and as soon as they start describing it, she can name the title. I don‟t know how she does it. It‟s her gift I guess.

She has an excellent memory.”

“Apparently, she is well liked.” He was pleased by the observation. She was a completely different person from the one

who stormed her way into his office at the bank.

Mrs. Peterson chuckled. “She isn‟t boring, that‟s for sure. If she doesn‟t like someone, she let‟s them know it. But she is loyal to the death for her friends.”

“And her family too.” Why else would she confine herself to a marriage she didn‟t want?

“Yes, them too. I hate to end this conversation, but I do need to get back to the table. Mrs. Edwards will give you a copy

of the program. If this play is as good as the show at your wedding, we‟re in for a treat. I haven‟t read the script but I know Tristan does a good job.”

He thanked her and entered the auditorium.“Austin, I didn‟t know you were coming,” Jasper said as he walked over to him.

“You come to these things?” Austin asked, surprised.

“Of course. My two sons are in the play. Why don‟t you sit with us?”

He shrugged. “Alright.” He usually sat alone at the theater but decided to accept jasper‟s offer since Jasper wouldn‟t bother him about dinner afterwards. He was relieved that Claire meant it when she said she didn‟t like to do that kind of socializing either.

After he sat down, he opened the program and read through the list of names of everyone involved in the production.

Then he read the synopsis of the play: “Six children leave home to find their way to the true meaning of Christmas. The angel tells

them not to stray from the path or they will get lost. The Six Temptations are determined to make sure they don‟t make it.” It sounded interesting enough.

He wondered what kind of writer Tristan was, and this would give him a good chance to find out.

“If you have children of your own, they can be in a play too,” Austin whispered.“Will you stop? I already told you that‟s not going to

happen.”

“Will you please leave the poor man alone?” Jasper‟s wife told Jasper. “He and Claire know what they‟re doing.”

“Yes, I suppose you‟re right.”

Austin silently thanked her.

The lights dimmed and the play started.

“though you cast doubts on my heart

I will finish the path that I did start;

Go your way for I will not turn aside,

Though there is now no one by my side.”

She gracefully left him, and he finished the path to find a baby in a manger with Mary and Joseph and shepherds. Austin

recognized Jasper‟s other son who played Joseph.

The angel who instructed the six children to start the path, showed up again and said:

“now find the answer you sought,

Your journey hasn't been for naught;

Behold the child when he is thirty three

He will go to the cross at calvary;

And on the cross he will die and rise again,

Lord and king, he will cleanse all sin.

At christmas we celebrate his birth,

Hail him all the breathe on earth.”

When the production ended, Mrs. Peterson walked onto the stage and thanked everyone for attending. “I must say, Tristan Lewisville out did himself this year,” she said. “Ofcourse, the children make the play come alive. I would like to thank our director, Mrs.

Hansworth.”

Claire looked shy but appeared on stage and smiled.

“Is that Claire Lewisville?” a man asked from behind Austin.

“Yes,” another man answered him.

“If I knew she looked that good, I would have married her.”

“She‟s only going to be with Jake Mitchell for six months.

Their marriage is strictly business and platonic.”

“Hmm...Maybe I should stop by the library and pick up abook sometime.”

Austin turned around. “You enjoyed the play that much?”

He smiled despite his irritation.

The man‟s eyes widened. “I‟m sorry, Mr. Hansworth. I didn‟t know you would be here.”

“Why not? She is my wife.” He emphasized the words„my wife.‟

The man nodded. “I understand.”

Austin nodded in return and turned back to the stage where Claire was announcing all the children and their roles in the production of the play.

Jasper snickered next to him. “You won‟t last six months before you admit you want to keep her.”

“Nonsense,” he snapped. It shouldn‟t have bothered him that available, good looking, young bachelors were beginning to take note of her. It meant that he made a good choice. Why couldn‟t he be happy with that?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Much love

V.A 💙

Vote. Comment