The Able Sisters

Chapter 15

Sable awoke to Mabel pushing against her bed frantically.

"Wake up, sissy! It's Toy Day!" she exclaimed.

Sable groaned and rolled over, knowing she couldn't block out her sister's pleas for too long. She slowly sat up, looking down at her sister who was gazing at her. Mabel's claws were gripped onto the sheets, and her eyes were wide with excitement.

Sable glanced at the bed across from her, where Label used to sleep. Mabel was now sleeping there, though at times, Sable still glanced over there, thinking her older sister might be drawing in her bed. But Label had not returned, and Sable assumed that if she wasn't going to return for Toy Day, she wasn't going to return at all.

Mabel still didn't understand this though, and Sable supposed she'd have to fully explain it to Mabel that Label wouldn't be coming back. But for today, Sable decided she'd let her younger sister enjoy her day.

"You know Jingle doesn't come until tonight, right?" Sable reminded her sister.

"Toy Day!" was all Mabel exclaimed, happily walking out of the room. Sable followed behind, glancing out the window as she exited. The sky was clear and bright today. She smiled a bit, hoping she could see the stars tonight.

Before Mabel was even born, Sable and Label would sit up for a few hours with their parents at night by the fireplace, looking out the window at the stars while they waited for Jingle. Of course, her parents would shoo her off to bed before too long.

Sable shivered, letting the memory flow off her. She performed her normal tasks of the day, making breakfast for her and Mabel, getting her younger sister dressed, and planning what would be done for the day.

As Mabel ate, Sable took notes on a piece of paper. For days now she had been practicing sewing and trying to figure out when the shop would open. She ultimately decided to open in the new year, before February hopefully. Her sewing still needed some work, but she was improving, and she guessed she could at least sell a few leftover items from her parents if anything.

"Play in the snow?" Mabel asked.

Sable laughed and nodded. She had decided not to push herself to do too many chores today, especially since she knew Mabel wanted to enjoy the day. As soon as their winter coats were on, they headed outside.

Mabel threw snowballs at her older sister while Sable collected fruit, though eventually, Sable gave up on the chore altogether and engaged in a friendly snowball fight with her younger sister. Mabel giggled and ran around in the snow happily, and for once, life almost felt normal for Sable.

But then she remembered her parents and Label, and the world dimmed once again. She thought of Label and heat stirred up in her, but the sight of Mabel playing slowly calmed her down. If she ever did see Label again anytime soon though, Sable wasn't sure how she'd react.

The sound of footsteps caught Sable's attention, and she turned to see Joan, the turnip seller, slowly making her way toward them.

"Happy Toy Day," the old boar croaked as she lugged her bag of turnips on her shoulder.

Mabel immediately ran up to greet Joan, telling her all about the amazing Toy Day she was having and what presents she would receive. Joan laughed and nodded. She clearly was an amazing listener.

"Can I interest you in any turnips?" Joan wondered, glancing at Sable.

Sable's stomach growled at that point. They were running low on food, but Sable knew turnips were expensive as well. She pushed her hand in her pocket and grabbed some bells.

"I guess I can afford two white turnips," Sable said, handing over the money.

Joan reached into her bag, bringing forward two fresh turnips. Sable glanced down sadly at the turnips, knowing they would probably be used up quickly for some soup or a salad. Joan reached into her bag once more and handed Sable two more.

"Oh, I don't have enough--"

"Happy Toy Day," Joan told her, shoving the turnips into her hands. "Completely free."

"Oh, but..."

Joan's voice came to a whisper so that Mabel could not overhear.

"I understand times are tough right now. I recently heard that Label took off," she said.

"How did you--"

"Rumors spread fast in this small town. If anyone gets on a bus, everyone knows. Keep holding in there. Things are bound to get better. The New Year is soon," Joan promised.

"Thank you," Sable replied, shoving the turnips in her bag.

"Bye-bye!" Mabel called as the boar took off once again, disappearing into the mass of snow-covered trees.

"Let's go build a snowman," Sable suggested, leading her younger sister off elsewhere.

The day was spent half doing chores and half entertaining Mabel. As evening neared and the sky became dark, the stars rose, and a beautiful aurora borealis stretched across the sky. Mabel excitedly looked out the window as Sable cooked dinner.

"Sissy, the sky!" Mabel breathed.

"I see it. It's very pretty," Sable told her. "Now, come eat your dinner."

"When will Jingle be here?" Mabel asked as she climbed into her seat.

"Later tonight. When you're fast asleep," she teased. "What did you ask Jingle for?"

"For Mommy and Daddy and Label to be here with us," Mabel replied.

Sable froze then cleared her throat. "We-we need to talk about that a little later, okay?"

"Okay. But do you think it will come true?"

"I think Jingle just brings presents, Mabel. Not something that big. But maybe," Sable replied, feeling more guilty by the minute.

Mabel's fun day quickly exhausted her, and Sable was tucking her into bed before eight o'clock. Once her sister was fast asleep, Sable rested on the couch. She didn't have much money to afford a gift for Mabel, but she'd made another pair of mittens (these much better than the first), and she hoped that would do for now.

Sable rested her head against the couch cushion, listening to the crackling of the fireplace until suddenly her eyes opened and it was early morning.

She groaned, not meaning to fall asleep on the couch, and was astounded to see a small line of presents by the chimney. Had Jingle come and she had not even awoken?

The door to her room opened and Mabel came out clutching a blanket close to her. Upon seeing the presents, her eyes widened.

"Jingle!" she exclaimed.

"That's right," Sable replied. "Jingle came."

Before breakfast could even be served, Mabel had to open all her presents. She gasped to find two toys, some sweets, and of course, the mittens Sable had made.

"I think those mittens will fit you better," Sable said.

Mabel laughed and put them on her claws. Sable felt her heart sink a little as she remembered laughing with Label as Mabel put them on her ears. Maybe they'd all matured a little.

There was only one present from Sable. She reluctantly grabbed it and opened it, finding a new sewing kit inside. Her heart filled with warmth. She had been using her parents' old one for too long. Perhaps this was a bright start to the shop's new opening.

The morning was quiet as snow began to fall. It was unlike any Toy Day that Sable had ever had, yet she couldn't have been more content.