Free Mrs. Shepherds Dolls - A Christmas Story by Nancy C. Wilson

Mrs. Shepherd’s
Dolls
    A Christmas Story

    Written by Nancy C. Wilson

    Mama’s hands were warm and tender as she
tucked Amy into bed.
    Amy looked up at her mom and tried to smile.
She had short curly red hair and blue eyes that looked like they
were about to cry.
    Her mother grabbed a silly looking doll named
Poppy and placed it in the little girls arms, who snuggled it
close.
    Poppy had blue braided hair that stuck
straight up; she was a vinyl doll with freckles on her face and a
sweet smile. Dressed in a pair of overalls, a flowery little blouse
underneath and a pair of red and white sneakers. Not a very pretty
doll, but a good friend since Amy was three.
    Mama bent down to give her a kiss goodnight
on the forehead, then started to leave the room, closing the door
and then remembering to leave it ajar.
    “ Poppy.” Amy whispered. “It’s a big day
tomorrow, first day at this new school…and to be perfectly honest,
I’m really nervous.”
    Amy held Poppy up and away from her for a
moment. Poppy’s smile made Amy smile and she held her close
again.
    “ We’ll make it.” Amy said and turned
over to go to sleep.
    Mama looked in on Jen who was sitting
cross-legged on her bed reading the latest teen magazine.
    “ Jen, come on.” Her mom said, taking
the magazine away and giving her teenage girl a quick
hug.
    “ Mom, I’m fourteen, I don’t need you to
tuck me in, and it’s still early!” Jen argued.
    “ You need a few brains left for your
first day at school tomorrow.” Her mother reminded her.
    “ Gees.” Jen moaned and crawled under
the covers.
    “ Good night sweetie.”
    “‘ Night mom.” Jen said and then pulled
the covers over her head.

    ******

    “Come on Amy, rise and shine, time to get
up.” Brenda Sheaffer called up to her daughter.
    “Oh all right.” Amy hollered, from
upstairs.
    “You don’t want to be late your first day at
school.” Her mother hollered back.
    “Oh don’t I?” Amy said.
    “Come on sweetie, I made you pancakes.” Her
mother coaxed.
    “Okay, I’m coming.” Amy got dressed and went
downstairs.
    “Well, look at you. New shoes, new clothes
and what’s this? A brand new trapper keeper! Well…you’re all set
young lady.” Her dad said giving her a big hug.
    “Yeah, but are they ‘all set’ for her?” Jen
said sitting down to eat her breakfast.
    “Come on Jen, give your sister a break. It’s
scary the first day of school. She doesn’t know anybody yet.”
Brenda chided her oldest daughter.
    “Well, if I know Amy, she’ll slip into a
corner and stay there the rest of her life. She doesn’t even try
mom.” Jen said.
    “I try, it’s just no use.” Amy said sitting
down at the kitchen table, she picked up a fork and stabbed at her
pancakes.
    “I know you try honey, I guess you just
really miss your friend Kristy. Well, I promise, you’ll make new
friends.” Her mom said.
    “Well, I’ve never had a problem making
friends.” Jen smiled.
    “Oh shut up Jen, you don’t know anybody
either.” Amy challenged.
    “Oh yes I do.” Jen gave her sister a sly
smile.
    “And just who do you know?” Her father said;
putting his paper down and casting a dubious look at his oldest
daughter.
    “Oh I just met a couple of girls at the
corner drug store. We were glancing through the latest teen scene
magazines and well, just got to know one another. They’re really
cool girls.”
    “Well, I think that’s great. We moved into
this house just two weeks ago and already your sister has some
friends. You’ll meet some girls at school today Amy, and they’ll
probably turn out to be your best friends.
    “Mom, I doubt very much that they’ll be that
friendly on her first day. Come on, it takes forever to get to know
someone. You need something in common with them; like make-up! Jen
suggested.
    “Amy is way too young for make-up of any
kind.” Her mom replied.
    “Way to put a damper on the first day of
school Jen.” Her father said folding his paper and