bitten leaf!'' cried Molly. "Have you finally found the one you want?'' asked the nursery employee impatiently. "Yes we have,'' replied Henry Thompson.

"Molly, come on, let's go pay.'' Together they walked to the cashier. Molly holding the potted, baby hibiscus, the perfect one they were to plant in the Secret Place. They drove home to their house on Timber Lane, Molly admiring the plant all the while. When they reached home, Molly got the bag of gloves and spades and Henry got the dog, Rubber, and his leash. Rebecca Thompson was making dinner in the kitchen and humming to herself. It was a beautiful, mid-October day. Molly, Henry and Rubber walked down the driveway. They came to a path in the bushes and followed it till they came to a little clearing.

This was the Secret Place. Rubber lay under a tree while father and daughter got to work. They dug a deep hole in the middle of the clearing. After about an hour of tedious work, the task was complete. Rebecca had asked Henry to take Rubber on a walk, so Molly ran back up to the house and put away the tools. She found her father waiting for her at the entrance of Timber Lane. As they walked, Henry said, "Won't it be wonderful when the first flower has bloomed?'' "It sure will,'' said Molly. "How long will it take?'' They came to the entrance of Fairylands and turned right. "Probably a couple of months,'' her father answered. The conversation continued. When they came to the Hamilton Princess, they turned back. The walk was faster this way, for Rubber was eager to get home. When they reached the junction to the entrance of Fairylands, they were on the far side of the street. They were just about to cross, when Rubber saw a cat and chased after it. Henry ran into the road yelling, "Come back, Rubber!'' Suddenly, a car came out of nowhere. Rubber dodged it but Henry was hit! The vehicle immediately stopped. Molly stood in shock, then screamed. The driver jumped out the door and Molly ran towards him. "I've got to get my mother. You stay with him.'' With that, she ran home with Rubber at her heels. When Rebecca and Molly had driven back to the junction, the driver had already called an ambulance and some police cars were there too. They were putting Henry's body into the ambulance and Rebecca and Molly were to follow in the car. They both cried the whole way to the hospital. A few weeks later...Henry Thompson had died as soon as he arrived at the hospital. There was only a small funeral for him and afterwards, he was buried in the Secret Place, which was no longer secret. All Rebecca said during the next few weeks was, "Why did he die?'' or she would just cry.

Molly felt more and more guilty and so she finally decided to write a letter to Santa. Dear Santa, This year I wish that I didn't feel so responsible for my father's death. I wish my mother wouldn't feel so upset either. I also wish that the hibiscus would bloom for my father. Molly. Christmas came so fast that Molly hardly knew it. Christmas morning, Molly jumped out of bed and ran downstairs. She ran to the living room. There were only a few presents under the tree, but she saw an envelope that said `Molly' on it. She grabbed it and tore it open. Inside, there was a letter that said: Dear Molly, Don't feel that your father's death was your fault. As for your mother, she will be feeling less upset very soon, I can assure you. I have a surprise for you. Go and look in your once `Secret Place'. Santa Claus. At that moment, Molly's mother walked into the room. "Molly, I'm sorry I've been acting so depressed lately. I just miss your father so much.'' Molly ran to her and gave her a hug. "Come to Daddy's grave with me.'' "But we haven't gone there since the funeral,'' Rebecca said. Molly didn't listen. She put her shoes on and ran out the door. Her mother followed. When they came to the clearing, Molly was The Hibiscus off. She took its long stem and placed it into the ground by the head of her father's grave. "This is for you, Daddy. I will always love you,'' she whispered. Then, Rebecca and Molly walked away with their hearts full of love, for each other and for a wonderful husband and a beloved father. Molly, also knowing that this was the greatest Christmas present ever, for both her and her father. Rebecca and Molly visit the grave more often now. Every Christmas, Molly picks the most perfect flower off the growing bush, and places it by the grave in memory of Henry Thompson. PHOTO Computer graphic by Heather McKirdy, age 12 Drawing by Courtney Dill, age 12