Christmas Miracle: a holiday short story

Main Story

Abby lay under the comforter, unmoving.

She knew what today was.

Christmas Eve.

Normally, she'd be bounding with energy and songs.

An ache throbbed rhythmically in her chest.

It was an ache that hasn't gone away.

They say that time heals.

She didn't believe that.

Her heart, her body will forever be broken. Time could never repair what she'd lost.

A soft knock sounded at her closed bedroom door.

"Abby?" It was Aunt Mae. "Breakfast's ready, dearie."

She groaned.

Why can't she just sleep for the next few days and wake up when all the festivities were done?

"Abby?" Aunt Mae asked again. "Are you awake?"

The cover slipped off her head. The movement caused the strands of her brunette hair to stand in every direction with quiet snapping sounds.

"Yeah, I'm awake." She muttered.

"Alright. See you in a few then."

Footsteps moved away from the door and quickly faded to silence.

"Drats." She grumbled as she sat up, the thick blanket slipping off her body entirely.

She swung her legs off the side of the bed and let them dangle for a moment.

Her left hand rested on the leg while a stump where her right hand and wrist once were barely touched the top of the right leg.

The stump was a constant reminder of the accident.

The accident claimed her parents and her baby brother.

Oh, and part of her arm.

Abby closed her eyes, fighting back the flood of tears that threatened to spill.

It so happened that the accident took place on the night of Christmas Eve.

One year ago, today.

Her Aunt Mae and Uncle Chess brought her to live with them after a lengthy stay in the hospital. They lived on a farm of sort. Uncle Chess owned and operated a logging company while Aunt Mae was the local town clerk.

They had two children of their own. Stephan was a year younger at seven with Mya, his baby sister of two years.

They try to include her in every aspect of their lives.

She knew they meant well – but the anger and resentment that threaten to boil over at any given moment...

Abby shook her head and slid from the bed to the cool hardwood floor.

She better get down before Aunt Mae send reinforcement for her.

***

At the bottom landing, Abby turned right and into the dining area of the open kitchen.

Stephan and Mya were already seated at the squarish table. Aunt Mae, a blonde middle-aged woman was moving back and forth from the table and stove with hot food.

Golden rays filtered through the bay window behind them.

Abby took her spot between Stephan and Mya.

"Here you go, Abby." Aunt Mae placed two strips of bacon and a large pancake in her plate.