Christmas at Elena's

Elena and Regina were packed and waiting outside the school's front gate when her family wagon pulled up. There had been carts and wagons arriving all day, hauling laughing girls away with their happy families. Elena didn't ask but she thought Regina was watching the other girls wistfully as they hugged and kissed their parents. She hoped she was right, that they'd have a good time at her family home. Elena wanted to put a smile back on Regina's face again.

"There you are, chicas. The two most beautiful ladies in Santa Barbara. Ahora, Armando, load up their bags," Papa ordered. "Time to head out. Mama has been cooking all day. She can't wait to see the two of you again."

Regina clambered up into the back of the wagon behind Elena and settled in. She'd come to enjoy watching the scenery - it was so different than back home in Kentucky, but still lovely. For the next several weeks she would pretend to be a member of the wonderful, big, noisy Reynaldo family. She would keep busy and forget how far away she was from her own home and her Pappy. It would be a sad Christmas but maybe if she kept busy, stayed occupied, she wouldn't cry too much.