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

asked.
    “The nicest.” Misty replied.

    *******

    Brenda Sheaffer, dressed in a long sleeved
navy blue sweater and dark burgundy skirt hurried up the steps of
the Millersville Community church.
    By the time she got inside the church doors,
she was out of breath.
    “Good grief Mrs. Sheaffer, you didn’t have to
rush. It’s fine; in fact you’re early. Not everyone has
arrived.
    “Oh, thank goodness.” Brenda said taking a
seat in the front row next to an older lady.
    “Hello, my name is Ruth Shepherd.” The lady
said introducing herself.
    Ruth Shepherd was a slight older woman in her
early seventies, with stylishly short brown hair with whips of gray
intertwined, giving her an appearance of both grace and
elegance.
    While speaking to Brenda, her eyes seemed to
twinkle which increased the laugh lines around her eyes. Her cheeks
were rosy and the slight bit of mauve lipstick she was wearing gave
her complexion a sort of glow.
    She was wearing a pretty autumn colored brown
and gold dress with long sleeves and a matching sweater.
    “And I’m Brenda Sheaffer, new in town.”
Brenda said still a little out of breath.
    “My, you’re a pretty young woman.” Mrs.
Shepherd said complimenting Brenda.
    “Why thank you. I haven’t heard that in
years.” Brenda beamed.
    Brenda was a pretty woman, with her
auburn hair pulled back and twisted. She had warm blue eyes and an
infectious smile.
    “Do you have any children?” Mrs. Shepherd
asked.
    “Yes, two. A fourteen-year-old girl named
Jen, and my Amy who just turned ten. They’re both a handful, but
they are the loves of my life.” Brenda smiled.
    “Do you have any children?” Brenda asked Mrs.
Shepherd.
    “No, I never did, I always wanted at least
three. That’s always been the number I’ve had in my mind, since I
was a little girl. They just never arrived from heaven, but
someday, I’ll see them. I do have my ‘other’ children.
    My dear sweet husband would present me with a
doll at Christmas and my birthday and any other holiday that came
along. One year he placed three of them in a large basket, all
wrapped up in beautiful paper with tissue inside. The most
beautiful dolls I’ve ever seen. I never knew where he found them,
but I’ve always taken great care of them, like they were my real
children.”
    “That’s just the most wonderful story I’ve
ever heard. You must have a very loving husband.” Brenda said
patting Ruth’s hand.
    “Yes, he was. Unfortunately he died several
years ago.” Ruth said looking up at the podium.
    “Well ladies, let’s begin. I have a film for
all of us to watch, afterwards, we’ll comment on what we’ve seen.”
The Pastor’s wife Connie announced.
    The room darkened and the ladies settled back
to watch the film.

    ******

    “We have a new girl to start the new school
year children. Let’s welcome her, what’s your name dear?” Mrs. Bond
asked.
    “Amy Sheaffer.” She said shyly in front of
the class of children.
    “Welcome Amy.” They all yelled and then
giggled.
    “All right, now find a seat Amy, and we’ll
begin.” Her teacher said.
    As Amy walked past Heather and her friend
Jenny, Heather put her foot out to trip her, but she sidestepped it
and was out of her reach.
    “Welcome Amy.” Jenny said and narrowed her
eyes at her.
    “Hello.” Amy responded.
    “Hey Amy, come sit with us.” Misty yelled
from the back of the room.
    Amy, relieved, went back to her new friend
Misty who had saved her a seat.
    Finally seated, with a sigh of relief, Amy
looked at Misty and nodded her thanks.
    “Hi.” A tousled haired boy said.
    “Hi.” Amy said back.
    “That’s Billy.” Misty whispered. “He’s one of
my friends.”
    “All right class, let’s settle down and open
the math books on your desks.”

    *******

    And so the fall school term had started. The
children resumed their friendships, some they hadn’t seen since
school let out; while others happily met new friends and still
others decided what