Exceptional A lonely doll longs for a new home. The Christmas Doll by Janilou Please don't forget the less fortunate this Christmas.

Category:  General Fiction   Posted:  November 27, 2008      Views: 401

ABOUT JANILOU  Janilou is a woman who loves God. Much of her work reflects her faith. Christian music often inspires her work. She is honored to have been named FanStory's Short Works Author Of The Year, in 2007 and 2008, and thanks all of her wonderful fans for the ranking. Their comments and support are her inspiration! She writes whenever her dairy goats allow her to escape the milking barn. If she's not on FanStory, you might find her on Facebook, using her real name, Jan Anderegg. Quote Of The Day: "Shall we make a new rule of life from tonight: Always try to be a little kinder than is necessary." Sir James M Barrie She has won several contests. The contest submission Death By Taxes was the first place winner in the contest . Boys Will Be Boys was the first place winner in the contest . Twas The Night Before - Say What? was the first place winner in the contest . She is a top ranked author and is currently holding the #41 position. The Seal of Quality committee has rewarded her with 2 seals. Portfolio | Become A Fan Katie lay in the thrift shop container with her friends. Dirt smudges stained her pretty face and bare, linen body. Matted tangles were the only remnants of her once beautiful hair.  A lady walked over and rummaged through the bin. She reached in and picked Katie up. "I bet you looked lovely, a long time ago." She pressed the button on Katie's hand activating the recorder stitched inside her belly. Will you play with me?   She set Katie back on the pile. "You have pretty eyes," she told the lonely doll. "It's a shame." I need a hug. The lady walked away. A lonely tear ran down Katie's stuffed cheek and soaked in. She shivered, wishing she could grow a warm fur coat like the stuffed toys around her.  When the lights went out, a dark-brown teddy, and a purple rabbit crept across the toy bin and draped their soft bodies against their friend.  "Thank you," Katie whispered. "I'm glad you're my friends. I hope you stay a while."  Teddy made some snuffling noises and Rabbit twitched her whiskers. When the store opened the next morning, Katie awoke, half buried under the pile of cuddly bodies. Struggling to the top of the pile, she watched the door. "Maybe I'll be adopted today," she whispered to the Elmo doll sitting next to her.  Elmo grinned. "Tickle me."  Katie laughed. "Later, Elmo." All day long, Katie's heart leaped when someone reached in her direction. "Pick me. Pick me," she whispered, but no one ever did. When the shadows lengthened on the walls of the store, Katie looked down and gasped. "Oh, no. Teddy and Rabbit are gone." Without warning, a large hand snatched Katie from the bin. I'm hungry, Mama. The man pressed Katie's hand again. Let's play. I love you. Shrugging his shoulders, he tossed her in the trash, face down.  "I don't want to be thrown away," Katie said, her voice muffled by the soft, pink coat of an oversized walrus, whose stuffing spilled from a gaping hole in his stitching.  "I just wanted someone to love," she whispered to the walrus, but he didn't answer and she fell asleep, shivering. The next morning, a new pair of hands pulled her out of the trash. "Hello, Katie," the lady said, looking at the tag protruding from Katie's side. "I'm Hannah. I couldn't get you off my mind last night. You're coming home with me." Tucking Katie under one arm, she picked up her purse and walked to the checkout.  "That will be fifty cents," the man behind the register said. "Even though it was in the trash, I still have to charge you." Hannah handed him a dollar bill. "Keep the change." Hannah talked to Katie all the way home. "First thing we need to do is get you dry-cleaned. We don't want to ruin your electronics. I'll make you some clothes, and I know a doll hospital with a wonderful hair-dresser for your hair.  You'll be beautiful again in no time." Katie smiled and smiled.  Two weeks later, Katie adorned the sofa in Hannah's living room, with satin pillows beneath her arms.  When visitors came, they always stared at Katie and said, "Oh, Hannah! She's gorgeous. She looks like a princess. Such pretty eyes." Katie would look down at her pretty, maroon dress with ribbons, grey stockings and black velvet shoes and smile. Sometimes, when Hannah walked by, Katie would wriggle her hand so the talking button would work. I love you. Let's play! Hannah would laugh, but she never had time to play.  One day, much to Katie's delight, Hannah stayed home and baked. Delicious aromas filled the air, as Christmas music floated across the room.  The front doorbell rang, and Hannah's family streamed through the door, shouting, "Merry Christmas, Nana! Merry Christmas, Mom!" Two young children ran into the kitchen. "Oh, my goodness!" Hannah exclaimed. "Children, be a help to Nana and go fetch me some ice cream from the freezer downstairs, would you?" Hannah hurried over to Katie. Plucking her off the sofa, she took her to the back bedroom, and setting her on the bed, closed the door. Katie's mouth drooped and a single tear soaked into her linen cheek.  She fell sideways on the pillow and stared out the window at snowflakes falling across the lawn. Hours passed. She could still hear the muffled sounds of the family enjoying their day.  "Time to open presents!" someone shouted, as the sun disappeared from the window. Squeals of delight could be heard as the excited children gathered around the sparkling tree. The door opened and Hannah walked back in. "Oh, Katie, look at you," she whispered. "Here, now, try on your new Christmas dress." Katie's eyes shone as she gazed down at her white, furry, winter outfit. Hannah placed a rosette in her hair, lifted her up and gave her a kiss. "I'm going to miss you, sweetheart." Picking her up, she carried Katie to the living room, where the children were sitting, cross-legged by the tree, waiting to open their presents. A little girl with long, dark hair stood up, and her mouth fell open.  Hannah placed Katie in her waiting arms. "Merry Christmas, Marie." Marie kissed Katie's forehead and hugged her tight.  I love you. Katie's recorder said. "I love you," Katie repeated. Marie's eyes lit up. Hannah laughed. "Yes, that's right, darling. Katie will talk to you. Merry Christmas. All her extra clothes and her special carry basket are still in Nana's spare room. You can go get them." Marie ran to the spare room, holding Katie in her arms. She placed her on the bed.  "Krasivaya kukla," (Beautiful doll) she whispered in Russian. She stroked Katie's hair and kissed her cheek. Katie smiled and smiled. Wrapping Katie in a baby blanket, Marie jumped up on the bed and laid her head on the soft pillow. Holding Katie tight, she yawned and closed her eyes as they rocked back and forth.  Sighing with delight, Katie rested her head against Marie's arm. A few moments later, Hannah and Marie's parents walked in. Hannah pulled a feather-down quilt over the sleeping pair. "You did a wonderful job fixing this one up, Mom. She looks brand new." Hannah's son hugged her. "Thanks, honey.  I rescued her from a trash can at the Thrift store." "Marie was hiding behind a trash can next to her dead brother, on the streets of Saint Petersburg, when the people from the Russian Missions found her. Skin-and-bones, and covered in sores. She didn't know a word of English when they put her in our arms. She fought like a banshee. It's hard to believe it's only been six months." Hannah gave her daughter-in-law a hug. "It's amazing what a difference it makes when you know you're loved." The trio headed out the door. Katie opened one eye and pushed the button on her hand. I love you -- "Nana," Katie added. Hannah paused in the doorway, and a smile flickered across her face. "Did she say . . . no, I must be hearing things." Shaking her head, she joined the rest of the family. Katie snuggled against Marie, and they both dreamed of the happy days to come. Recognized Share your own writing! - Information on our membership for writers. Author Notes "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31:8-9 http://www.russianmissions.org/ministries/street.asp I will correct any nits in the morning. Not sure where this one came from, but I think it was inspired by a little doll I met today in the Goodwill store. Pays one point and 2 member cents.

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