Yes, I know, many cities have snow, but the level of snow in Rovaniemi was exaggeratedly high. People were used to living like this, but, for us, it was something new. Soon it would be Christmas and the snows would continue. It seemed that the winter would never end.

Next day, Ruth dressed up warmly, she couldn't even move around. She was ready to go visit her mother's family as soon as her mother left, but we did not remember that among of her activities, she had a piano lesson, between others. That spoiled her plans a little, she didn't want to take lessons at all, she just wanted to have her normal life like any other child.

-Let me skip this class, Mom, I promise to go next week. Besides, we're just going over what I already know -she insisted to her mother

- I don't know if your granny can take care of you today, she has things to do too -she responded by getting ready for work- people can't be at your beck and call.

-What about Grandpa? He could take care of me.

- He also has things to do. Look, I understand that you are tired of going, but sometimes we have to do what we should do and not what we want, life's like this...

- I'm going to see Grandma, and if she's busy I'll go to the piano lessons, -she said, hugging her persuasively- I promise.

-All right, Ruth. -her mother roared- Go carefully, remember do not to talk to strangers, take the dog with you so it will take care of you... and don't forget to keep her on a leash. I don't think Grandma likes having it around the house -said caressing her head and giving her a kiss on the cheek.

-Sure! -she shouted happily- Let's go -she said to her pet by opening the door.

-And give it a name... -she said as she heard the door close and Ruth leaving.

As Ruth walked, her footsteps could be heard in the snow, it was a loud crackle and her breath was smoking. Her grandmother lived just past the center a few miles away. She liked to pass by and see the shops. Sometimes she could even watch people on sleds being pulled by Huskies, and she wondered if her dog would ever be able to pull her sled as well.

She liked to see the things they sold at the little stalls, and that cozy smell we had only known in Finland. It seemed that little by little we were getting used to be living there, and sadly to the loneliness that accompanied her too. Although, in reality without her realizing it, she was not alone at all.

When she arrived at her grandmother and grandfather's house, she realized that it was totally closed and dark. Indeed, some important matter would have to be attended to... but she didn't lose her hope that they would return. She sat down on the stairs of that house to wait, and suddenly saw some small snowflakes falling.

She stood from there to the garden trying to catch them with her tongue, an activity that was new and quite enjoyable. Her little dog waited at the door of the house watching her. And then there was a slamming of the door. She thought maybe it was Grandma or Grandpa or her aunt who had come home, but they weren't. It was her grandparents' young neighbor, a boy. She looked carefully, trying to get through the snowflakes to get a better look at him, and she realized that it was the same boy with that red same ball.

He saw her too, and made a face of horror as if he had seen the devil himself and ran backwards to his house. Ruth did not hesitate to go after him, and she was followed by her dog, who took her role as guardian very seriously. When they both met face to face there was no escape. I didn't know what Ruth's intentions were, but I and the boy's Universe had a threatening exchange of looks.

-Thanks -said Ruth shyly- thank you for rebuilding the snowman...

-Well, - said the confused boy- it was me who destroyed it in the first place...

-Yes, but you could have ignored me and you didn't... What's your name?

-My name's Lauri... What about you?

-I'm Ruth, I come from England...

-I see, no wonder your Finnish sounds a little strange, especially your "R" sound.

-I'm just learning, my mom is teaching me, when she has free time... -she said sitting on the stairs of that house.

-Why do you say it that way?

- Well, because she works a lot, the truth is that she only gives me Sundays. Instead of paying me piano or dance lessons, she should pay someone to teach me Finnish.

-I could teach you...

-Really? -interrupt him.

-Of course, -said the boy- and instead of giving the money to someone else, I could teach you directly, so that, I could help my grandparents... I live with them.

-And your parents?

-Well, -he said sitting down too- we're not all that lucky. I don't know where my parents are and, the last memory I have of my mother is when she brought me here.

-Will she come back? -asked Ruth, confused and worried.

-I don't think so... -he said with his distant gaze- my grandparents always talk about how irresponsible she is. They say they won't make the same mistakes on me.

-Don't worry, I'm sure she'll come back, -she replied with an innocent smile.

When Lauri saw her smile, he did too. And then putting his hands into his coat bag and looking forward, he continued his proposal...

-Then, get some money and I'll teach you Finnish. No money, no deal.

-Okay, but then I hope you'll really teach me.

-It won't be easy, but you must do your part and try to practice.

-Ok...

Their talk was interrupted by the sound of a car that had arrived at his house. It was an old black car, making a lot of noise and movement as if it were dying. When it finally stopped, his grandparents got out of it with a look of enormous surprise to find them sitting there. When they saw them both, they began to say things to each other, whispering and laughing, which made Lauri feel uncomfortable, and innocent Ruth did not understand.

-Hey guys, what are you doing out there? Ruth, how long has it been since I've seen you? -said her grandfather approaching her- Does your mother know you are here?

-Yes, she does. I asked for permission -she said sadly

- I thought you had piano lessons today... -he continued.

-Piano lessons? -the other grandfather interrupted- We should also take Lauri to piano lessons, he's idle all day.

- Stop it, Grandpa, I don't want to learn the piano -he grumbles- it's a boring activity for old people.

-But your friend is going there -his grandpa said looking at her.

- I'm going, but I already know a little. My father taught me when we were living in England... -answered Ruth.

The two elders were silent while they were looking her, and later they entered Lauri's house, without commenting a word. It was small and cozy, with a large fireplace in the center of the room. His grandfather played some old Finnish music while they continued talking about hunting and old people's things, as Lauri said.

- We should take the kids hunting, I'm sure they'd like it too -commented Lauri's grandfather.

- Maybe Lauri, I don't think that's Ruth's place. Maybe taking them to Santa's village would be a better idea.

-Village of what? -Ruth asked Lauri in secret.

- Santa Claus Village. Don't you know? Here is where Santa lives...

-Really? The real one?

- Yes, he lives here all year round at Christmas the village which is open and so on. You can talk to him and give him your letter, plus it would be easy for you because he speaks many languages, including English -he said lying on the couch.

-I'm watching you, Lauri! Get your feet off the couch! -his grandfather shouted at him from the kitchen.

Lauri discreetly just under his feet from the armchair, leaving his torso and the rest of his body lying on it, making himself comfortable without respect for the visitors. He put his arms as pillows and closed his eyes. Ruth put on a face of fascination and lost herself in her own thoughts, "He exists after all, and lives here, what a thrill" she thought, disconnecting herself from everything around her. .

-You guys want to go see Santa tomorrow? -Ruth's grandfather asked.

-Yes, Grandpa, I do! -replied Ruth, jumping up and down.

-I'll pass, -said Lauri apathetically- that's for babies.

-The truth is that we never took Lauri out for fun... -said his grandfather.

-And well, it explains his personality. You should let Lauri go out and have fun, you're making him an introverted and antisocial child.

-Don't tell me how to educate my grandson, you decrepit old man. -He replied in annoyance- Lauri will not be like his mother; he will be a good man... that's why we must educate him from childhood.

-Tomorrow we'll escape, -said his grandfather winking at Lauri, making his voice almost imperceptible.

Ruth turned to see Lauri with her beautiful smile, and Lauri, just took a breath and threw it with his mouth, making a grumpy face as he looked up the chimney. He didn't look excited at all. Actually, Lauri believed in the words of his grandparents, and he really didn't want to be like his mother.

-Is Lauri always like this? -I asked his Universe in confusion.

--Well, yes, the truth is that Lauri is always like that, quite easy to please, by the way -his Universe answered me- I'm glad he goes out and has fun, even if he doesn't want to. I think Ruth will be his first friend.

-Lauri is also her first friend... and this reminds me, where's the dog?!...- I mentioned scared-- Ruth, Ruth, your dog! -I said, approaching her head.

Then Ruth remembered it. She had left it outside that house without a leash or collar, when she came in, she forgot to put it them on. She opened her eyes and quickly started running to find her. She began to look for it discreetly so that her grandfather wouldn't notice and scold her, or punish her letting her without meeting Santa Clause.

-Did you lose your dog? -asked Lauri worried.

-It's not here... - Ruth answered with tears in her eyes as she continued to look for her.

-What's its name? You have to look for her before the old men realize it is lost -he said, approaching her and putting his jacket on.

-Where are you going? -Ruth's grandfather told Lauri.

- We are going to make out in the woods and those things that my grandfather hates so much, but that you want me to do -he said, smiling cynically.

-What? You want a ride? Wait, you can't go kissing... -he said, confused.

-¡Entonces cuide a Ruth! No me tardo nada -dijo Lauri echándose a correr.

I followed him, I had to look for the little dog, even though Ruth's energy and thoughts didn't let me act as well as I could. His sadness, his negative thoughts, often confused me without knowing whether he wanted me to find the dog or not. We continued searching for Lauri, her Universe and me. Finally, we found the dog in that park where Ruth used to spend her days off. Lauri carried it, and we walked back home through the snow. The dog and Lauri were slightly covered with snow. It took us about two hours of searching. When we arrived, the dog ran quickly towards Ruth, never had another dog been seen running so fast. Ruth welcomed her with some tears in her eyes.

-It must have broken the Guinness record for speed, I've never seen a dog running so fast -Lauri said in surprise.

-Where were you, Lauri?! -asked his grandfather in annoyance- Get in the house now.

--Easy, old man, I'm coming...

-Are you going to be scolded? -asked Ruth, frightened.

-Maybe, but my grandmother says that thanks to me they have life, so, it won't hurt him to be angry at me... -he said as she stepped into the house.

Ruth took the dog in her arms while her grandfather looked at her. His smiling told her he knew what had happened, stroked her head and accompanied her back to her mother's house.

-Grandpa, are you upset? -she asked as they walked.

-No, but you must take care of that puppy, friends don't abandon friends.

-Like you and Lauri's grandfather...?

-Yes, we've been friends since we were kids too. It made us laugh to see that you guys are friends too. Tomorrow we'll go to Santa's village. We'll steal Lauri for him to enjoy life a bit, that poor kid doesn't have a good time either.

-Yes, I think so... -she replied thoughtfully.

-And does the dog have a name yet?

-Yes, she has... She'll be called Guinness.

-Like the record? Good name, don't forget to put a plaque on it and show it her name when we get home. And Ruth...

-What's wrong, Grandpa?

-Obey your mother, and stay out of trouble, will you? You're the princess of the house, and princesses behave themselves.

-I know grandpa... -concluded thoughtfully.