This month, the crew is happy to present some Christmas short stories! First, we’re welcoming a short story by Anita Dickason titled “A Christmas Snow Angel”.
You can also listen to this story on our YouTube channel, which is linked below.
Tucked in the shadows on the second-floor landing, Penny listened with a growing sense of disbelief as she peered through the rails at the living room below.
Huddled on the couch, her parents were talking to Mr. Wilson, a nearby neighbor. His daughter Stacy was her BFF. Mr. Wilson, the only realtor in their small town, was busy explaining the procedures to sell a home. Not just any home—her home.
Her dad said, “Go ahead and list the house, even if it means we have to move before Christmas.”
After Mr. Wilson left, her mom said, “How do we tell Penny? This is the only home she’s known. All her friends are here. It means she has to start all over at another high school.”
“I know it will be hard, but there’s nothing we can do. Once the city passes the proposed budget, I’ll be out of a job. Mr. Lemming has already refused to extend the loan on the house. If we can’t make the payments, he’ll foreclose. Selling is our only option.”
Her mom huffed. “That man. He’s just plain mean.”
His tone bitter, her Dad said, “It doesn’t help that he owns the only bank in town and is also the mayor. The city council does whatever he tells them to do.”
Unable to hold back the tears, Penny scuttled to her bedroom where she flung herself across the bed. She felt her world as she knew it was about to come apart.
****
At school the next morning, all she could think about was the looming catastrophe. When her class broke for lunch, Stacy was waiting in the crowded hallway and grabbed her arm.
“I couldn’t believe it when Dad got home last night and said he was going to sell your house.”
Penny wailed, “Oh, Stacy, it’s just awful. I don’t want to move.”
After they were seated at a table in the cafeteria with their sandwiches in front of them, Penny explained what she’d overheard.
Stacy said, “No one likes Mr. Lemming. Heck, none of us even go to his house for trick or treat.” She waved her sandwich. “Daddy doesn’t like him. He said that what happened to Mr. Lemming was no excuse for the way he acts.”
Penny swallowed the bite of her sandwich. “What did happen to him?”
Stacy shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Back in class, the more she thought, the more her mind circled back to what Stacy said. What did happen to Mr. Lemming? Was this like a mystery? Solve it and have a happy ending. No, that only happened in books. Still, could she find out?
As Penny trudged home, kicking up the snow, she called her mother to let her know she was going to the library.
Seated in front of a computer, she accessed the archived newspapers. After typing Lemming in the search engine, she scanned the list of newspapers that popped up.
When she reached the forty-year-old papers, she hit pay dirt. “OMG,” she softly muttered. Mr. Lemming’s wife and two daughters were killed in a plane crash. Mr. Lemming was the pilot. The tragedy was depicted through pictures of the family and the funeral. Penny zoomed on Mr. Lemming’s face. There was no similarity between the man she knew and a man, flanked by his wife and children, smiling at the camera.
She signed off and grabbed her backpack. All the way home, she pondered what she’d learned. Had Mr. Lemming become the equivalent of Mr. Grinch because of the loss of his family?
****
When she rolled out of bed the next morning, a fresh layer of snow sparkled under bright sunlight. Since it was Saturday, it was a perfect day for her plan. After a quick breakfast, she bundled up. Even so, despite the sunlight, the bitter cold air bit at her face.
As she turned the corner, the sight of Mr. Lemming’s house sparked a sense of apprehension. Not a single footprint marred the pristine large front yard, nor were there any tracks in the driveway. Not a good sign. It meant Mr. Lemming was in the house. Still, a sense of rightness stiffened her spine.
She quickly moved into the front yard and began scooping snow. She had just finished when the front door slammed and footsteps thudded on the porch.
“What are you doing in my yard?” Mr. Lemming roared.
Penny rose, turning to hide what she had built.
His eyes, in a face mottled with anger, glared at her. “When I ask a question, I expect an answer.” He stomped down the porch steps. “What are you hiding? Probably another nasty joke you kids like to pull.”
“It’s … it’s a Christmas gift,” Penny stammered.
“A gift. Why would you leave me a gift?”
She lifted her chin, deciding she wouldn’t let him intimidate her. “Because I thought you needed it.”
“Humph. I don’t need a gift. Step aside, let me see what you did.”
She moved to one side.
Stunned, Mr. Lemming simply stared.
“It’s a snow angel,” Penny said, thinking he didn’t understand.
He frowned at her, more puzzled than angry. “I know what it is young lady, but why did you build it?”
“My parents told me about the angels. How they are here to help us, in good times and bad. I thought you might need one.”
“Why would you believe I need an angel?”
“Because you lost your family, and you are alone.”
For a moment, his eyes flicked between her and the snow statue with her wings spread wide.
“What’s your name?” he asked, his voice husky.
“Penny Clements.”
“Becky and Jeffrey’s girl?”
“Yes, sir.”
“You’d better head home.”
Before she turned the corner, she looked back. Mr. Lemming still stood in the yard, staring at her snow angel.
****
She was seated at the kitchen table working on a math assignment when her father walked in. He pulled out a chair and plopped down.
“You are not going to believe this, but I got a call from Mr. Lemming. He’s going to extend the loan. And, that’s not all. I heard the council isn’t going to cut the budget. Too many people would lose their jobs and it wouldn’t be good for the town. Can you believe it?”
Her mother squealed. “OMG. We won’t have to move. What changed his mind?”
“I don’t have a clue, and neither does anyone else.”
Penny smiled. She knew why. Mr. Lemming wasn’t alone anymore. He had an angel.
Anita’s stories always sound real and vivid. This is another gem.