Mrs. Delphine Smithers was an 83-year-old who lived by herself, safe for her cat.

Her husband had passed two years prior, and children had since grown up and left the nest.

Become Christmas time Mrs. Smithers gets her joy whenever her grandchildren pay a visit.

She had thought of a look on their faces whenever she served on Christmas cookies and other

pleasantries.

This Christmas she made some sweet and salty bark and kept it on the kitchen table.

She found herself sitting down on her favorite chair, knitting a scarf, and there came a sharp

knock on the door.

She jumped a bit, not expecting any visitors at the moment.

Can we come in?

Smithers tentatively laid the scarf in the arm of the sofa and gripped the chair.

Her frail bones popped and shifted.

Coming up from the chair, Smithers collected her walking stick and trudged rigidly towards

the front door.

A sharp knock rung out.

That time more agitated than previously.

I'm coming, hold on!

Smithers yell.

She gasped the door knob and turned it counterclockwise.

The door creaked open.

On the other end of the door were two children, a boy and a girl.

The boy appeared older, presumably around 13.

...