Bringing Down the House

I had trouble coming up with something to write so...don't expect anything amazing... :)

    Snow whipped about the small, clapboard house.  “It sure is picking up outside.”  Mandie took a long sip of her hot chocolate and smacked her lips.  “This is delicious.  Where did you get the recipe?”

    Kate glanced up at her from the present in her hands.  “My Grandma.”

    “You’ll have to give it to me.  My family would love it.”  She stuck another log into the fire then sunk down on the plush couch tucking her feet up beneath her.  “Whose present is that?”

    “Bennies.  He has been begging for a remote controlled helicopter for forever.”  Kate brushed a strand of hair out of her face and put a bow on top of the package.  “All done.  I love getting presents, but I hate wrapping them.  That’s why I invited you over, to entertain me while I wrapped.”  She grinned impishly and dodged a well aimed pillow.  “Want some cookies?”

    Mandie tried to glare at her.  “As long as they are those mint ones.”  Kate headed for the kitchen but was interrupted by knocking on the door.  Wind and snow burst in with the intruder. 

    “Sorry, for barging in like that, but it is freezing outside.” 

   “Megan!  Hey!” Kate wrapped her friend in hug then pulled her towards the fire.  “You remember Mandie?”

    “Of course.” She glanced around the room.  “Where’s your family?” she wiggled out of her coat and laid it on it on the rocking chair.

    “In town at the church.  They are doing some last minute baskets for some people for Christmas.  I thought it would be a perfect time to wrap presents without Ben sticking his nose everywhere.”

    “That’s for sure.  Hey, have y’all seen how thick the snow is outside?  I think we are going to get a record snowfall.  I almost got lost in a snowdrift as I hiked out here.” 

    Kate raised an eyebrow.  “Why did you hike out here?   Not that I’m not glad to see you, but it is snowing like you said.”

    “To say Merry Christmas, of course, except that it is Christmas Eve.”

    “Hey,” Mandie sat straight up, “Do you hear something.” 

    The others turned to look at her.  “Huh?”  The next moment something crashed through the roof.  Snow and wood fell everywhere.  Something slammed into Mandie’s back forcing her to the ground.  Everything went silent.  “Kate!”  No answer.  Mandie tried to push herself upward, then gave up.  A large branch lay across her back pinning her to the ground.  She was completely covered in snow.  She tried again.  “Kate!  Megan!”  A muffled cry sounded a way off then she felt hands brushing the snow away. 

     “Just a sec Mandie and I will have you out.”  Kate’s warm voice rung in her ears.

    “Are you okay?  And what about Megan?” she winced when a sharp branch poked her in the side.

    “Megan’s okay, I sent her off to get some help.” 

    “What happened?”

    “The big tree beside our house fell over.  I guess it got weighted down with too much snow.  It crashed through the roof and into the living room.  I’m going to lift this branch, see if you can wiggle out.”  Kate wrapped her arms around the branch and pulled.  Mandie rolled out from under.

    “Kate!  Mandie!” frantic voices reached their ears.  Kate dropped the branch and helped Mandie to her feet.

    “We’re in here, and we’re fine.”  They plowed their way through the debris till they reached what was left of the porch.  Hands pulled them into warm embraces. 

    Kate’s mom had tears pouring down her face.  “We ran into Megan as she headed for the neighbor’s house, she told me what had happened.  I was so worried.”  Mandie shivered in the cold and shifted from one foot the other.  Her whole body ached.  “I’m sorry dear; let’s get y’all somewhere that’s warmer.” 

    “Good idea,” Mandie mumbled.  She stiffly walked to the car and climbed in.  She dozed off on the car ride and was surprised to open her eyes and find out that she was home.  Her mom folded her into her arms then guided her up to the house.  A fire crackled cheerfully in the fire place.  “Mom, what are they going to do?  Their house is destroyed,” Mandie fought to keep her eyes open. 

    “Don’t worry.  They are spending the night with Megan and her family and after, that, well, they’ll cross that bridge when they come to it.  But I have heard that they were already planning on moving, so perhaps this was well timed.”

    “Uh huh.  I’m going to bed.”  Through her dazed condition she saw the clock in the wall, its hands pointing straight up.  “Merry Christmas Mom.”