Jennie Emerson sat at her frosty window. This would be her last Christmas for sure. Everybody was going to die eventually, Jennie knew that. But what really got to her was that she was going to die before everybody else. It just wasn’t fair. Suddenly, Jennie heard a knock at the door. It was her younger sister, Marnie.
“Jennie, are you okay?” Marnie asked. Jennie turned away. She didn’t want Marnie to see her crying.
“I’m fine, Marns, I’m fine,” replied Jennie through wet eyes.
“You don’t look fine, Jennie,” Marnie was about to burst out crying. She was only eight years old, and she couldn’t handle her thirteen-year-old sister dying. Somebody was calling Jennie’s name.
“Jennie!” It was her older sister, Kathryn. Kathryn walked in the door, and noticed the streaks on Jenne’s wet cheeks. “Jennie, are you alright? Do you need anything? I just came up here to see if you wanted any egg nog.” Jennie shook her head. She didn’t want to eat anything. She was too busy thinking of all of the things she would miss out on. As she thought of all her favorite things, Jennie decided this might be her last chance for egg nog.
“Katie? I changed my mind. May I have a little bit?” Kathryn looked at her.
“Sure you can….” Kathryn was tearing up. She and Jennie were only two years apart. They had been best friends. But now, the Lukemia was taking over, and tearing them apart. Forever. Kathryn ran over and hugged Jennie. Marnie ran out of the room to get a cookie.
“Katie? I don’t want to die. I want to be able to have chocolate chip cookies, and strawberries, and I wanna be able to go to the park, and ride rollercoasters, and I want to see my friends, and Grandma. How’s Grandma? Is she going to be alright? I’ll never see her again! Katie! Please, help me, don’t let it take me. Katie, I’d do anything for just five more years. Please, Katie!” Jennie was crying harder than ever.
“Jen, you know I would do anything for you, I really would, but Jen. Jen, you know I can’t. There’s nothing I can do. I can’t do anything, and it’s bothering me, Jennie. It really is bothering me.” Jennie looked disappointed. She knew Katie couldn’t do anything, but she was hoping Kathryn would say she could, and that everything would be alright. But that’s not what she said. Instead she told the truth. Like always. TWO HOURS LATER…

Jennie sat there, fingering the locket that hung around her neck. It was in the shape of a heart. Her father had given it to her before he died. He had said that it was good for one wish, and to use it wisely, because she could never get that wish back. “Just close your eyes and wish, wish like your life depended on it,” he would say. Jennie knew her wish. She carefully unhooked the silver clip. Jennie put the necklace in her left hand. For about ten minutes, Jennie sat there, dangling the silver out the window. She closed her eyes and wished. “I want to live, please let me live, Dad. Please! I want to live, I want to live, I want to live…..” Jennie unclenched her fist, and let the locket fall into the snow.

EIGHT YEARS LATER…

Jennie opened her brown eyes. It was Christmas morning! Jennie’s 21st Christmas! She quickly dialed the phone and called Katie to wish her a Merry Christmas. After talking to Kathryn for three hours, she walked down to her best friend, Sabrina’s dorm, and knocked on the door. When the door sprung open, Sabrina threw her hands around Jennie, and said, “Merry Christmas!”
“Merry Christmas, Sabrina!” Sabrina threw a small red box in to Jennie’s hands. “Open it!”
“But Sabrina, I wanted you to open your present first!” Jennie handed a large, silver box to Sabrina.
“No! Open yours first!” Sabrina was being stubborn.
“Okay, fine.” Jennie tore off the the red paper, and lifted up the lid on the box. It was a silver locket in the shape of a heart. It was a little rusty, but Jennie loved it.
“I found it in the street about eight years ago, really close to your apartment building. When I saw it, I just thought of you. I meant to give it to you that Christmas, but I forgot, and then you know…. I moved and all..I should have given it to you though, maybe for your birthday, or, if I had remembered, as a late present. I can’t believe how much I forget things, so oh, you must be mad, I’m sorry, oh, I hope…”
Jennie cut Sabrina off,”Sabrina, I love it.”

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