CHRISTMAS REUNION

By Deborah Grochau

“Hey, Shirley, get a load of the cute sailor who just walked in the door.”

“Oh, Betty, he has a white suit just like in the movie ‘Captain January.’”

“Shh, he's talking to the shopkeeper.”

The young man speaking to the elderly shopkeeper wasn't aware that every doll in the store was listening in on their conversation.

“I'm looking for a Christmas gift for my 7-year-old niece.”

The two men walked over to the doll shelf. The older man handed the younger man a velveteen mouse named Minnie. “Little girls love the softness of this doll.”

The young man handed it back and reached for Shirley. “My niece has hazel eyes like this doll. I'll take this one.”

Shirley left the store in a box under the arm of the sailor and promptly fell asleep. She did not wake again until she was startled by excited voices Christmas morning. Shirley's eyes stared straight ahead as the little girl lifted her out of her box.

“Mama, I love her.”

Though her expression did not change, Shirley was smiling inside and out when she heard the girl's voice and felt herself being hugged close to the girl's heart.

“Darling, did you read the card?” asked the girl’s mother.

“I don't need to read the card. I know this doll is from Uncle Nick. He gives me a new doll every Christmas, only you never let me play with them.” The little girl danced around the room with Shirley clutched to her chest.

“The other dolls are for your collection. You know Uncle Nick buys you dolls from every country he visits. You have dolls from Japan, China, India, Germany, and France. This is the first American doll he’s ever sent you.”

“Does that mean I can play with her?”

“Yes, dear.”

“Good,” the little girl said, setting Shirley on a chair. She can watch me open all of my presents.”

Through the years, Shirley watched the little girl opened many Christmas presents. Uncle Nick continued to send dolls from each country where his naval vessels docked and each of those dolls was given a place of honor on the mantle. Eventually, the girl was tall enough to reach the mantle, but by that time she considered herself too old to play with dolls and space was made above the fireplace for Shirley.

Shirley sat on the shelf and watched her playmate grow into a woman. Dolls are not very good at judging time, so Shirley had no way of knowing just how many years had passed when her grown up girl appeared before her in a wedding gown. The day was bittersweet for Shirley because the bride and groom moved away, leaving Shirley on the mantle.

Dolls can sleep with their eyes wide open. Shirley dozed when the girl was away and awakened with joy each time the girl came home to visit. She was happy when the girl appeared with a baby on her shoulder. The baby girl reached out for Shirley, but the dolls on the shelf were for looking, not for playing. Shirley watched from the mantle as the girl's daughter grew into a woman.

One day Shirley’s adult girl appeared dressed in black and with tears in her eyes. She took Shirley down from the mantle and hugged her. “Mama is dead and we have to sell this house.” She wrapped Shirley in a blanket and placed her in a storage box with the dolls from the mantle. Shirley and the other dolls slept in a cardboard box until Uncle Nick's grandson decided it was time to clear out the storage unit.

Shirley woke up when she felt the box being lifted and carried into the sunlight. The harsh light burned her eyes, but she couldn't blink as she was unwrapped and exposed to daylight for the first time in years.

“Oh, it's grandma's doll,” she heard an unfamiliar voice exclaim. “I've seen pictures of grandma holding this doll when she was a little girl. I wonder if she’d recognize her favorite doll if we took it to the nursing home.”

The movement of the car lulled Shirley back to sleep. When she awoke again, she saw a Christmas tree.

“Grandma I have a surprise for you.”

Shirley was turned to face her little girl. The girl had cracks in her face now and was seated in a wheelchair with a blanket over her knees, but Shirley recognized her immediately.

“Shirley,” the old girl reached for the doll.

“I knew she wouldn't forget you.” The young woman said, as she placed Shirley in her grandmother's arms.