Alligator Tree Press

by Lisa B. Wilkinson
Copyright © 2001, 2006 by Lisa B. Wilkinson

Rebecca made a difference, but she didn't even know it.

One day Rebecca's den mother, Mrs. Garcia, announced to the Junior Volunteers they would be spending Saturday in front of the discount store. They would ask the customers going in and out of the store to give donations to the local shelter.

Rebecca was disappointed. She had planned to spend the day playing with Jennifer who lived next door. But Rebecca was a good Volunteer, so on Saturday, she and the other girls climbed into Mrs. Garcia's van and rode to the store. They helped set up a table and chairs where they could sit and two large boxes where they would place the donations. Mrs. Garcia told the girls what to say to the customers. Rebecca hoped she could remember everything.

A lady in a pink shirt walked toward Rebecca. "Go ahead, Rebecca," Mrs. Garcia said, nudging her from behind.

"Would you like to make a difference today?" Rebecca asked.

The lady in the pink shirt smiled at Rebecca. "How can I make a difference?"

"Rebecca looked questioningly at Mrs. Garcia. Mrs. Garcia whispered in Rebecca's ear.

"Can you buy some panties or socks or diapers for the children who stay in the shelter?" Rebecca asked.

"I might be able to do that," the lady said. "What is your name?"

"Rebecca."

"I'll be back, Rebecca," the lady said, as she walked into the store.

Rebecca asked another customer for a donation. That one just turned his back and walked away. She asked another man. He gave her two dollars. Rebecca gave the money to Mrs. Garcia who put it in an envelope. The Junior Volunteer troop would use the money to buy more clothes for the children at the shelter.

Rebecca and the other Volunteers asked more people to help the children in the shelter. Some people pretended not to hear. Some people said no. But some people donated money and others returned with clothes for the children who stayed in the shelter.

"Rebecca," someone called.

Rebecca turned around. It was the lady in the pink shirt.

"Will this help?" The lady handed Rebecca a bag. Inside was a package of panties with pink flowers for a girl and a package of Spiderman underwear for a little boy.

"Thank you," Rebecca said.

"You're welcome," the lady said. "Keep up the good work."

That evening when Rebecca's mom and dad tucked her into bed, she said, "I didn't think I was going to have fun today, but I did."

"That's wonderful," her mom said. "You made a difference in someone's life today."

"Good night, sweetheart," her dad said as he kissed her on the forehead.

In another house down the street, Julie and her little brother Tommy hid under her bed. Julie hugged Tommy. "Shhh. Don't cry, Tommy," she said. But Tommy didn't like the loud voices that were coming from the hallway. Julie didn't either.

Daddy was drunk again and he was yelling at Mama. Julie wished Daddy wouldn't drink. He never yelled at Mama when he was sober. When he was sober, Daddy was fun. He'd dance her and Tommy around the living room. He would play games with them. He would kiss Mama and tell her he loved her. But when Daddy drank, he got mean. And Julie and Tommy got scared.

The voices in the hall grew louder. Daddy yelled at Mama and called her names. Julie heard Mama scream and a loud CRASH. Tommy cried louder. Julie heard footsteps walking away, then the front door banged shut. Except for Mama and Tommy crying, it was quiet in the house.

Julie and Tommy crawled out from under the bed. They slowly opened the door. Mama was sitting on the floor. She had a big red spot on her face. Julie looked toward the front door. She hoped Daddy wouldn't come back. She and Tommy ran to Mama and hugged her. Mama held them until she stopped crying.

She stood up and took them by the hands. They hurried together down the hall. Mama grabbed her purse and car keys off the table. Then she looked out the front door. Daddy's car was gone. Mama, Julie, and Tommy got in Mama's car. Mama drove to a store. She used the pay phone outside while Julie and Tommy waited in the car.

When Mama hung up, she got back in the car and they drove on.

Finally, Mama pulled into the driveway of a big house. She carried Tommy. Julie followed even though she was scared. A lady opened the door and they all went inside.

The lady hugged Mama. "I'm Annie. Welcome to the shelter," she said. "Come in the kitchen. I'll get some ice for your eye."

They passed a doorway. Another lady and three kids sat on a couch watching television. In another room, a lady put clothes in a washing machine.

When Mama, Tommy, and Julie were seated at the table, Annie gave Mama a bag of ice to put on her swollen eye. Annie made sandwiches for them. After they ate, she took them to a room with a big bed.

"Mama, are we going to sleep here?" Julie asked.

"Yes, Julie we're going to stay for a few days," Mama said.

"But I don't have my pajamas. I don't have any clean clothes to wear tomorrow." Julie felt the tears she had held back running down her face. She felt ashamed to be crying over pajamas, but she couldn't help it. The tears wouldn't stop.

Annie handed Julie a tissue then hugged her. "It's going to be all right," she said. "I know you're scared now, because you don't know what is happening. But you and your mom and brother are here because it's safer right now. Tomorrow, we are going to help your mom decide what is best for your family."

Julie wanted to go home. She wanted to be in her own bed. But she thought about how her Daddy acted when he drank. She didn't want him to hit her Mama again.

"You're going to be okay," Annie said. "While you get your bath, I'll find some clothes that will fit you."

Julie liked the quiet way Annie spoke. She dried her tears and followed Mama into the bathroom. After her bath, she found clothes laid out on the bed. There were pajamas for her, Mama, and Tommy. There were underclothes for Mama, a pair of panties with pink flowers for her and Spiderman underwear for Tommy.

Julie dressed herself while Mama dressed Tommy, then she and Tommy climbed into bed. Mama turned out the light. She kissed them both, laid down beside them, and hummed a lullaby. Julie snuggled beside Mama. She didn't know what would happen tomorrow, but she knew Mama would take care of her and Tommy.

The next morning, across town and down the street from Julie's empty house, Rebecca woke up. She smelled bacon frying in the kitchen. She rushed to get dressed, because today was Sunday, and Sunday meant pancakes for breakfast. Rebecca planned to spend the morning watching her favorite cartoons, and after church, playing in the backyard with Jennifer.

She was so busy thinking about today, she forgot all about yesterday and about collecting clothes for the children at the shelter.

But yesterday, Rebecca made a difference in someone's life. She made a difference in Julie's life. She made a difference in Tommy's life. She made a difference in their mother's life. Rebecca made a difference. And she didn't even know it.