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The fight to live, through days uncertain
Choices made at bitter cost
We hold all hope that days will brighten
And we know all is not lost.
The city of London was at its brightest and busiest, preparing for the Christmas season. Joy and light flooded every corner of the town, even the most desolate spots. It even reached the orphanage.
Inside of the building, children ran around, hastily getting ready, for today, the richest man in London, Ebenezer Scrooge, was to pick out a child to adopt. He had never married and had no heir, and what better child to help than one without parents?
Among the clatter and rush of children, the owner of the establishment pressured them all to look their best and be presentable. One girl, however, did not join her peers in the excitement. She was about 12-14 years of age, with unkempt mouse brown hair and sunken eyes the same color. Her dress was worn but clean, with patches over multiple holes. She sat in the corner of the large room, looking out the window, focusing on nothing in particular.
"Delaney!" the orphanage owner snapped at the girl, "What are you doing? Mr. Scrooge will be here any moment now, and you're not ready!"
The girl ignored her and continued staring out the window.
The woman sighed and tended to the others. Once there was a knock at the door, she ordered the children to stand in a line, side by side. When she opened the door, Ebenezer Scrooge was standing at the other side.
"Good afternoon to you!" his cheerful voice rang out.
"Mr. Scrooge, please come in." The woman stepped aside, then led him to the main room where all the children were.
"The orphanage looks so much better than it used to," Mr. Scrooge noted, pleased.
"Yes, sir. Your generous donations have helped us fix up the place and provide more for the children." She gestured to them. "Here they all are. Feel free to speak to them."
Mr. Scrooge greeted every single one of the orphans and chatted with them for a bit. Then, he noticed one girl sitting on the other side of the room. "Who is that?"
"Oh, that's Delaney," the owner of the orphanage replied. "She's been here a few months. She barely talks. I don't believe you'll get anything out of her."
"Let me try."
Mr. Scrooge approached the girl and said, "Hello, I'm Mr. Scrooge."
Delaney looked up and saw his reflection in the window but otherwise didn't acknowledge him.
"I'm told your name is Delaney. That's a pretty name."
When he still didn't get a response, he knelt down at her side. "How would you like to come home with me and be my child?"
"No."
"No?" Her answer surprised him. Surely a child without a family would be eager for this opportunity, but she didn't seem affected by his words one bit.
The orphanage owner walked up to him. "A word, Mr. Scrooge." When she took him to the side, she told him, "You'll never get anywhere with that one. She refuses to speak, rude little thing, and she's run away more times than I can count. Why don't you talk to the more well-mannered ones? I'm sure one of them is a better pick for an esteemed man such as yourself."
Scrooge looked back at the girl by the window. His eyes softened. She had an air of sadness around her, something he found extremely familiar. "No, I'm quite sure I want Delaney."
Shocked, the woman stated, "But, sir...If you wish."
Scrooge again went to Delaney. "I'd like you to be my daughter."
"You're a fool," the girl stated, coldly.
"Why do you say that?" When he got no response, he stated, "Then, let me make a proposition: stay with me for a month. I'll provide for you for that time, and if you still wish to return, I'll bring you back here."
After a pause, she said, "I don't really have a choice, do I?"
"All I'm asking for is a chance."
At long last, she nodded.
Things transpired rather quickly after that. Delaney was told to gather her things, and she returned with a small bag. Mr. Scrooge gave each of the other children a coin before leaving with the child he had chosen.
In the days that followed, she was cautious around Scrooge. He continued to show her kindness, offering to take her different places. The first place outside the house he took her to was his nephew, Harry’s house. Harry and his wife greeted Scrooge and Delaney, warmly and with open arms. “This is Delaney, my daughter.”
Delaney didn’t look pleased, but Harry smiled at her. “How do you do, Delaney?”
“Fine, sir,” was all she said.
After the greetings, Harry’s wife gently handed Scrooge their newborn son, and he sat down and held the baby in his arms. “You’re a strong little fellow,” he said, smiling.
While the three adults doted over the baby, Delaney stood off to the side, watching, then looked away from the scene. Scrooge looked over at her and said, “Delaney, would you like to hold him?”
“No, thank you, Mr. Scrooge.”
“Just for a bit? Babies are very soft and warm.”
“I said no.”
Startled by her response, Scrooge told Harry and his wife, lowering his voice, “I’m trying to get her to adjust to the situation.”
The hosts nodded, understanding. Harry cheerfully tried to include her in a game, but she didn’t seem to want to play or interact with anyone much. Nevertheless, the adults at least had a pleasant visit.
The next day, Scrooge took Delaney to different shops, namely Tom Jenkin’s store. Delaney looked in awe at all the finely crafted toys. “How’s business, Tom?” Scrooge asked him.
“Business is booming, Mr. Scrooge, thanks to you.”
“I’m glad to hear it!” To Delaney, he said, “Pick out anything you want.”
Delaney tried to keep a stoic expression, but she found it difficult among all the brightly-colored toys. A doll caught her eye, and she picked it up.
“Do you want it?” Scrooge asked, walking to her.
“No,” she lied. “I don’t want anything.” She put it back.
“You don’t have to act like this. It’s okay to want nice things.”
“I want to go.”
Scrooge picked up the doll, then took it to Tom and bought it, then he handed it to Delaney. “Consider it a Christmas gift.”
Not knowing what else to say or do, she thanked him, quietly, looking away, holding the doll close.
2 more weeks past, and it was days before Christmas. Delaney sat alone in her room, as she usually did. There was a knock at the door, and she said, “Come in.”
Scrooge walked in. “I wanted to tell you that we’re going to Harry’s for Christmas dinner. My business partner, Bob Cratchit, and his family will be there.”
Delaney only nodded.
Scrooge sat by her. “How are you enjoying your stay?”
“Your home is nice.”
“I hope I’ve made you feel welcome.”
She didn’t answer this. Every time he tried to have a conversation with her, she only offered short, polite, non-specific answers. She never let him near her, physically or emotionally.
“Christmas is in 2 days,” Delaney said.
“Yes.”
“And 9 days until I go back to the orphanage.”
Scrooge’s face fell. “You don’t want to stay?” When she shook her head, he asked, “What can I do to change your mind?”
“Nothing,” she replied, harshly.
Sadly, he said, “My home is always open to you.” With that, he left the room, and Delaney quietly sobbed.
December 24, Christmas Eve night, the whole city was asleep. Everyone, that is, except for Delaney. She reached in her bag and got out a small bottle she had stolen from the apothecary. She carefully opened the bottle and put it to her lips.
Suddenly, Prudence started barking right outside the door, and Scrooge quickly opened it to see what was wrong. “What’s going on?” he asked.
Delaney quickly turned away and attempted to drink out of the bottle, but Scrooge grabbed her before she could do so. “Leave me alone!” she screamed. “I need peace!”
It was then that Scrooge saw the label on the bottle. It said rat poison. Then, he understood what was going on. He tried even harder now to get the bottle away from her, and eventually, she dropped it on the floor, and it broke into many pieces, the liquid spreading out by their feet.
Delaney fell to her knees and sobbed. “My one chance of peace, and you destroyed it!”
“I don’t understand. Why would you want to poison yourself?”
When she calmed down enough so she could talk, she told him, “I lived on the streets almost my whole life until I was forced to go to the orphanage. Sorrow and loneliness are all I know, all I will ever know.”
Ebenezer Scrooge sat down by her, looking at Delaney with a pained expression. She was sitting, knees to her chest, looking down. From the day he had taken her home, she had done nothing but push him away.
Scrooge's throat tightened as he managed to choke out one word.
"Why?"
She didn't respond.
"Why did you do this? I've given you a home, a family, a new chance at life."
"You've given me nothing, and you do not understand that."
"You don't believe I love you or that I have nothing but goodwill toward you. I've seen your pain. Your life-"
She sat up, suddenly, her eyes burning into his. "You know nothing of my life! You know nothing of heartache!"
Scrooge held her gaze, sadly. "We are more alike than you think."
Life is a struggle of good and bad
It takes us and uses us
Torments and chooses us,
But still we must go on…
The fight to live is never easy
But it’s worth it in the end
Even though it seems unlikely that our broken hearts will mend
The fight to live, through days uncertain
Choices made at bitter cost
We hold all hope that days will brighten
And we know all is not lost.
“I’ve lost so many people,” Scrooge told her, “and there were times when that was my fault. I had to learn to open my heart and let people love me. I had to give in order to receive, before it was too late. It wasn’t too late for me, and it’s not too late for you. You have a chance to turn everything around, to make things better for yourself.”
The fight to live
Is never easy
But it’s worth it even so
I love you so much, my daughter,
And I don’t want you to go.
Delaney’s eyes filled with tears, and she hugged Scrooge, finally letting him get close to her.
The next morning, they went over to Harry’s, where everyone else had already gathered. Scrooge was asked to make a toast. “To my dear friends and family, I am so thankful to have you all here in my life. And to my daughter, Delaney,” he said, uncertain, but was filled with confidence after she nodded, “may you live a long happy life. We will look after each other, care for each other, and love each other forever.” Scrooge hugged each of them, and Delaney held onto him as if for dear life. She had a new life worth fighting for and a new father who loved her.