This is an attempt to write a short story. My daughter is not convinced I know the meaning of "short". I am trying to prove her wrong !!!

Thanks Kav for the wonderful start !

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“Has he announced it yet, then?” the newcomer asked eagerly as she jostled her way through the crowd.

“No, not yet,” someone whispered and was shushed by his neighbour.

“Shhh. He’s reaching into the bag…”

A collective gasp circled the room as every elf strained forward to eagerly hear what Santa was going to announce. This ceremony had become the highlight of their Yuletide season. Held on December 1st it represented the true meaning of Christmas; a chance to reconnect with one of their special clients whom they had lost to adulthood.

Each year, Santa reached into his sorting sack of grown-up names and drew out the name of someone who needed a special dose of Christmas magic this year. The magic saw to it that they all remembered the child now grown; every visit, every gift, the triumphs and the tears. It was always exciting to see the dear child in adulthood, though often disappointing.

“Has he pulled it out yet? I can’t see!” complained a young elf at her elbow.

“Here, let me give you a leg up,” the newcomer said kindly. “He’s just pulling out the name now.”

They all watched as Santa looked at the gilt edged parchment. He nodded his head, smiling in remembrance and then looked out into the crowd. “This is going to be a very special Christmas indeed,” Santa told them, holding up the card for everyone to see. The words magically sailed off the page and grew into a shimmering neon-lit billboard flashing a name they all knew and loved. Their minds were flooded with memories, both happy and sad and they waited eagerly for Santa’s next announcement.

“Dewberry, I think. Yes Dewberry, I think you’re the best match.”

“Oh my goodness, that’s me!” the newcomer squealed excitedly, toppling the young elf she was holding onto the ground. “Sorry. Excuse me. Let me through please. That’s my name Santa just called.” Dewberry made her way to the front of the hall and stood bashfully next to Santa. She was still a terribly young elf for this kind of honour.

Santa squeezed her shoulder warmly. “You’ll do just fine,” he told her, passing the parchment into her hands. “Remember, your assignment is to make our Special Client’s Christmas wishes come true.”

Dewberry reverently held the parchment. The magic worked its way into the eager little elf revealing the agent’s deepest secrets. Images and emotions deeply filled her mind. She didn’t have it easy, thought Dewberry. So much struggle, so much pain …yet so much love to share. The elf searched for the special wish but strangely the only one she could see could never be fulfilled.

“I have faith in you, Dewberry”, Santa told her.

She wished she did, too, as she toddled away, scratching her head with her chubby fingers.

Way to go! Thanks for the holiday treat!

Jen

WoW! Great job! Can't wait for more

I wonder who's the "Special client" this year...

Can't wait for more

Helene

Marlo, I'm so excited!!! Can't wait for more!!!

Joy

I'm excited too...

What's this about??? I have a funny feeling what you mean by that and I am dying to find out where you'll go....

Great start, although in this post you definately make sure you prove that you understand 'short'!!

Wohooo...i love your stories!!!...this one looks great...can't wait for more!!!

Yes........I'm with your daughter on this one. Can she do it???????????

Of course she can! She has a trip coming up!


Looking forward to this, Marlene!!!

Jill

Elves were strange little creatures. They could be seen or hidden in plain view according to their needs. Right now Dewberry didn’t want to be seen while she observed the activity in the bullpen. The team was decorating a Christmas tree with music in the background, not that she could hear the music, thought Dewberry. And the volume was too low for her to feel the vibration …still she was fully enjoying herself.

“Sue, this year the honour is yours”, the dark agent bestowed on her, giving her the angel to place at the top of the tree.

“Jack, I don’t particular like ladder”, she argued. “Or heights.”

“Nothing to worry. I will hold it right behind you”, inviting her to step up.

Dewberry giggled as she watched the agent watch the woman …or more precisely a part of her anatomy that she wouldn’t name. Good thing she was wearing pants, thought Dewberry, wondering if Sue could feel his hungry eyes on her.

“Close your mouth, mate”, teased his Aussie friend.

Jack rolled his eyes, without letting Sue out of his sight. She was very carefully tying the angel. When she was done she extended her arms to see her work of art. The angel was straight, and she managed to place a yellow light behind her so her wings were glowing. Just when she was about to take her first step down, Dewberry blinked. It was only a small blink, because the wood was already weakened and she needed only a little bit of magic to break it.

Sue fell backward …into Jack’s open arms.

“I knew one day you would fall for me”, Jack mouthed for her eyes only. “My wish comes true”, deliberately taking his time to lower her down as he admired the crimson blush spreading all over her face.

“Nice catch, Sparky”, commented Bobby.

“Too bad he hasn’t learned how to reel her in yet”, murmured Myles, shaking his head in despair.

With her pointy ears, Dewberry could hear their heartbeats going into frenzy when they touched. Jack Hudson would make a very nice Christmas wish for Sue, but still …Dewberry remained pensive. The young elf couldn’t shake the feeling she was missing something. Sue’s childhood memory flooded through her once more. The woman had faith, but at one point, in the aftermath of the tragedy, it flickered so much …and somehow …somewhere …something got lost.

Time to visit Ohio, decided Dewberry.

Ohhhhh....hehehe...this is going to be good...i love the elf...can't wait to see what else she does!!!!!

You are amazing me. Maybe I won't need that bag of marbles for Winnipeg after all!


Jill

I'm so excited and I just can't hide it

I'm wishing a Christmas miracle

Oh goody, a christmassy staory from Marlene!!

You did say short story didn't you?? A short story from you? Your gonna write a short story?!!!!!


Hmmmm, this i gotta see!!!!


Looking forward to this

Vickie

Oh goodie! A Marlo Christmas tale. You tell your daughter we have every faith in your ability to write a short story (you can do the longer version for us for New Years! )

Can someone tell me why we want Marlo to do a short story again? I just so knew you wouldn't be able to stay away from writing!!!! It's been what 48 hours or so and withdrawal was bad, right? I'm very excited that you're writing a short story though I'm hoping it's not tooo short.

kav (who thinks we need an elf smilie now.)

Go Dewberry!!!

Why short? Because in 10 days I'm flying to Winnipeg for 4 days and I'm meeting Jiil ... so I'll be busy and I want the story done before then (and also because my daughter doesn't think I can write anything short !!!)

Withdrawal??? I spent 8 hours cleaning non-stop and Dewberry just haunted me during that time. What else am I supposed to do while cleaning ...besides thinking? Singing? Nope !!!

I love Dewberry!! I can't wait to see what she has up her sleeve for Sue!!

Marlo, why don't you just make the story semi-short, like medium!! You shouldn't try to cut yourself down from long to short in one step!! I don't think that's good for your health!!

Joy

Whatever length you decide to make this, I'm sure it will just be great! I'm loving Dewberry and the tension you're building.

Yeah,.......a story from Marlene........can't wait to see what she has up her sleeve for us this time!
Dewberry.....how cute!



Webgoof.....we need a dancing smilie.......for when our favorite authors decide to give us another treat!! (think Snoopy doing the happy dance!!)

Christmas and Marlo........what a combination!! Love the Dewberry character and I sure hope to see some mistletoe in this story soon!! Can't wait to read more!

I love this Dewberry too and thought of Jack being Sue's Christmas wish...

Now there's a sound piece of advise. But if you do manage it in ten days, then I suggest that when you come back all refreshed and happy, you could start another Christmas story! Then two shorts would make a semi-long one.... :whistle:

kav (who isn't greedy or anything)

I think I like the way Dewberry thinks... I'm just wondering what the past will reveal to her!

Visiting Jill is no excuse, Marlo! Correct me if I'm wrong but she does have internet access, right? So there's no reason you can't write more of this magical story on the plane, or while Jill is writing hers...

Only one small problem with that thought......Jill will be on a plane, too. Winnipeg is where Marlene's daughter is swimming.....so we will be poolside most of the time. (At least when we aren't out hunting down chocolate shops and counting how many Tim Horton's there can be in one city!)

Good try, though!!!!

I love this story already!

Make it as long as possible please

gracie

‘How can dust accumulate in a closed closet?’ mused Dewberry, between fits of coughing. Still, she did a thorough inventory of the treasures lining up the two shelves. She was almost ready to call it quit, having found nothing of interest, when a small shoebox wrapped with silver paper and tied with a royal blue ribbon caught her attention. It had been shoved at the back, under and behind games and puzzles.

“Maybe”, muttered Dewberry, carefully picking it up, only to drop it when a noise in the bedroom startled her.

A woman in her fifties opened the door, and suspiciously looked into the closet. Her eyes registered surprise at the silver box as well. She picked it up, forgetting all about the dusting she was planning on doing in the room frozen in time.

She sat on the single bed that still bore the same pink and white comforter from almost two decades ago. She removed the blue bow, and without tearing the silver paper she delicately lifted the cover. A small smile curled the corners of her mouth and her eyes became misty. The time capsule. She had forgotten about that, but the memory filled her mind. So much care had gone into that particular school project. She placed the skates medallion in the palm of her hand and sobbed.

Dewberry sobbed, too. All Santa’s magic wouldn’t be enough to heal that poor woman’s heart …only God’s magic could. She wished God could send an angel.

“I’m here, Dewberry”, whispered the angel, making herself visible to the elf. “I have been since the first day.”

“Then how come she’s still crying after all this time?” she asked in a sad little voice.

“Because a mother’s love never dies, Dewberry”, replied the angel. “This is a blessing …and a curse.” The elf nodded. “I am watching over her, Dewberry. She isn’t alone”, reassured the angel, before vanishing.

Dewberry saw the woman take a letter out. She left the closet to hop herself on the dresser. The woman turned the letter many times between her fingers, debating if she should read it or not, before finally deciding against it. It wasn’t meant for her. She put it on the dresser, a few inches away from Dewberry’s leg, before going through the rest of the box.

Dewberry twisted her head to read the letter. She had never been very good at reading upside down. She caught the first few words …To my best friend …Could it be what she was looking for? But before she could read any further, the letter was taken downstairs to the kitchen.

The woman went through the Christmas cards she received this week. It wasn’t long before she retrieved the return address she was looking for.

wow, great start can't wait for more!

does this serve?


ooh, !! Poor Sue!! I just KNow that letter was for the friend that died in the bus wreck!

This will be an interesting read!

I have goose bumps. You are writing a very touching story, Marlene. Anxious to see where this is going.

Jill

Am I going to need a really big box of tissues?

You are building the magic, Marlo!!!

Joy

“Sue, why exactly are we shopping for an artificial tree?”

“Jack, you could have refused”, giving him a baffled look. Jack had been gracious enough to offer his service and his SUV to bring back the huge box

“No, it’s not that. I’m glad you ask …I love shopping …”

Dewberry shook her head. The agent was such a bad liar. He didn’t particularly like shopping, and Sue knew that. Sue frowned. Why couldn’t he find the right words when he was alone with her?

“What I meant was …why an artificial tree? I remember you saying you loved the smell of a real tree. I have a friend with an acreage out of town. I could take you there closer to Christmas, and we could …walk in the woods looking for the perfect Christmas tree.”

“Would I get a sleigh bell ride?” her eyes shyly gazing at him. Was she flirting with him?

Dewberry grinned.

“Yes …we could”, he murmured, his deep brown eyes shining in anticipation. “So …a real tree?”

“No”, she sighed. “Jack, when I took Levi to my parents last year, he took the real tree for …” She lowered her head at the shameful recollection. “For indoor plumbing”, she finally admitted.

‘Indoor plumbing’, giggled Dewberry, almost tumbling off the Christmas tree she was sitting on.

The way his shoulders were trembling Sue could tell he was laughing even though he tried to keep his lips as tightly closed as possible. “Jack!” swatting him across the chest. “My mother didn’t think it was particularly funny.”

“Sorry”, he said and signed. “But you cannot blame Levi …a tree is a tree”, his eyes still twinkling merrily. “Is that why your mother didn’t invite you back this Christmas?” he teased.

“Very funny, Jack”, she replied, powerless to hide her smile. She had told him her parents were going on a trip to Europe for the holidays. “But why are you staying in DC? Don’t your parents want to see you?”

“Because I promised Levi a sleigh bell ride before Christmas …in a real forest”, he replied mischievously. “Right boy?” Levi barked enthusiastically. She rolled her eyes at him, incapable of discerning if he was serious or not. “And someone needs to keep you out of trouble”, leaving her to figure out what he couldn’t bring himself to say out loud …yet.

Dewberry hit them with your best shot....

and poor Levi....a tree is indeed a tree...

Poor Levi, I bet he wasn't flavour of the month over the tree incident! A fantastic story that's warming my Christmas spirit and I really love Dewberry.

Take care,

Sairs

I love this story, Marlo. I am with Kav too....tell your daughter that we like your stories no matter how long

More please....

AlaskanFan

This is so good! I am gonna need a really big box of kleenex here! I already had to open it and use it over the bedroom/shoebox-scene. This is about Judy, right? And is it a letter from Judy to Sue?

Can't wait to find out! And Jack and Sue together for Chrismas in DC, with no interrupting parents around...should be fun!!!

I agree

Poor Levi, but very funny

Marlo, what a delight this is going to be!!! Dewberry is priceless!!

Levi, our cute, adorable, loves to throw bunnies, Levi?? Mistook a Christmas tree for......a tree?? I can't quite picture him doing that, but I can definitely picture him afterwards!!!

Jack - I wonder if we could knock some sense into you if we hit you with sleigh bells??

Joy

Oh Marlo! What a wonderful story!!!! I'm playing catch-up, and I'm feeling all "It's a Wonderful Life-ish" now!

Adorable take on the Christmas challenge.... waiting oh-so-impatiently for more

Hey Dewberry.......a snowball right about now would be grand. Knock some sense into that boy!!!!

A sleigh ride....what a wonderful thought!!!


Jill

indoor plumbing....funny marlo!

Awesome!

Now here's a wicked thought -- Marlene and Jill together in one city poolside without anything to do except...say....collaborated on a story??????!!!!!!!
kav (who scurries away to read the updates on this one because she's really late to the party again)

Okay -- so maybe just maybe Levi thought that since Sue had indoor plumbing he should too...I mean what dog is more human than Levi? (no offence Levi!)

kav

With the spell Dewberry placed on each tree to hide their true beauty, finding the right tree proved extremely difficult. But just before closure time Dewberry blinked again. She had given them as much time together as she could.

“That one will be perfect for the apartment”, Sue exclaimed excitedly. “Too bad we cannot take it with us now.”

“We’ll be back next week to pick it up”, Jack told the salesman.

Since they were starving after spending the afternoon shopping, Jack invited her for supper. Saturday nights were always busy but he knew the owner of a small café and he was able to get a quiet table for two near the fireplace beside a panoramic window.

“Good evening Jack. Who’s the charming lady?” taking her hand and kissing the top of it. “I’m Juan, the owner.”

“Sue Thomas”, blushing slightly.

“She’s my partner”, snatching her hand from Juan’s, and keeping it in his.

“Partner, hey? …That’s what they call it these days, is it?” teased the owner. “Not very romantic if you ask me.”

‘Nope … not very romantic’, agreed Dewberry, rolling her eyes.

“I will bring you my best wine …on the house. Enjoy your evening.” Juan bowed before leaving them alone.

Sue was very much aware of his fingers gently caressing her hand, and his eyes gazing at her.

‘Finally’, approved Dewberry.

When his other hand reached out and lifted her chin, she realised his lips were moving. “Sorry, Jack …I was …”

“Distracted?” he offered, hoping he was responsible for it.

‘Definitely responsible’, smiled the elf.

“Yes …distracted. But now you have my undivided attention”, maybe, Sue thought. The tip of his fingers brushed her lips before returning on the table. “You were saying, Jack?”

“I was wondering if …”

“Excuse me ma’am, sir …your food is ready”, placing hot plates in front of them after Jack reluctantly let go of her hand.

‘Couldn’t that waiter wait?’ mused Dewberry, slightly annoyed at the disruption. Too bad she didn’t see him coming, or she would have stopped him.

“Hum … thank you”, said Jack while Sue stared blankly at him. “I …I didn’t order. Did you?”

“No”, shaking her head. “But it sure smells delicious”, digging into it. “I stand corrected, Jack”, smiling broadly. “It is very delicious.”

Jack caught sight of Juan who dipped his head, and understanding dawned on him. He nodded back to the owner, silently thanking him for the wonderful meal.

Through the window they had an overview of a park with a frozen pond in the middle. And when all the Christmas lights lit up around it, and reflected on the ice, they gasped in wonder.

“What would you say if we went for a walk in that park after supper, Sue?”

‘Now … that’s romantic’, Dewberry sighed dreamily.

“Levi would enjoy that”, she replied, grinning, giving a look under the table. Levi had his own bowl that Juan filled with leftover and the dog was in heaven. “And me too”, she added innocently.

Things are progressing very nicely indeed!

Dewberry is really cute.

I hope fuzzies are just around the corner

Wonderful posts as always!!!



gracie

Good try, Kav....!!! I'll applaud your effort and leave it at that.

Dewberry..........don't you have eyes in the back of your head???? Just when things were going......oh well. Looks like you get another chance. I forsee lots of fuzzies......frozen pond, slip-sliding away......hmmmmmmm... This could be lots of fun!


Jill