Misunderstood: A Christmas Tale

I leaned against the doorjamb and watched the
neighbors loading their Dodge Colt. The young couple
seemed too young if you asked me. The scuttlebutt
around town was they were married in a shotgun
wedding—and we know what that means.

Right after marrying, they moved into the fixer-upper
next door. Then the girl left for three months. I
heard she was staying with a cousin out-of-town. Well,
she came back obviously in the family way. Why in the
world would a bride leave her new husband to live with
a cousin for three months?

Strange.

Still, the young man has some decent carpentry skills.
I love their new front door. I might get him to make
me one. I'm sure they need the money, and I wouldn't
have to pay him much since he's a newbie. Hm.

Well, they're pulling out. They have to register with
the government in a different county. I told them that
he could do it for both of them. Seems to me the girl
should stay home. Her baby's gotta be due soon and
riding too long makes a pregnant gal swell. Oh well.
Their choice.

I'm taking care of their puppy while they're gone. How
could I say no? Besides, they'll only be gone three
weeks and it seemed neighborly to agree.

Good thing they'll be back soon. I don't much like
puppies. I like dogs even less.

I was challenged to write a 250-word creative retelling
of the Christmas Story. Various writers participated in
the challenge. Stories ranged from a bug's perspective to
that of a poor widow hiding near the barn. During the busy
holiday season, I enjoyed spending some time thinking about
Christ's birth with fresh eyes.

If you'd like to give this challenge a try, I'd love to read your
creative results. Post them in the comments section.

Thanks for visiting and have a very Merry Christmas!