The Little Angel

 I dedicate this short story to mom. She's always been an inspiration to me, and believed in me. Thank you, mom! I love you!

There is indeed a moral to this story; no matter who you are, no matter how broken you may be, someone out there loves you.... And there's a place for everyone in God's plan.

It was a snowy day outside the little antique shop. Fluffy, white snowflakes danced merrily to the ground amid the scurry of people passing by the big picture window. The new snow made a crunching sound under the boots of the busy shoppers. Ke-runch, crunch, crunch, squeaked the boots on the fluffy white snow.

In the window was a beautiful display of antique Christmas wares. There was cups and saucers, some candles, a couple of display stands for cookies and other sweets, and a hand-carved wooden platter. A few decorative plates sat at the back. Right in the middle of the window was a small, hand-made angel.

The little angel wasn't very tall; barely taller than the fancy glasses that sat beside her. She was made from porcelain with a hand-painted face, and her hair was scraggly, dry moss. Her tiny hands had barely any detail, and the dress she wore was once upon a time white, but now was yellowed from the years. A fine layer of dust covered her from head to toe. The small painted porcelain face was supposed to be singing, but in her current condition it appeared more of shock and disbelief.

Once she had been loved, but now the little angel sat abandoned and alone in the window.

Barely anyone stopped to look in the dusty window. The old man and woman who owned the shop did their best to keep up, but time had aged them as well. While the rest of the town was bustling and vibrant, the small shop barely changed. Most people simply walked by the brick and glass store, and only a few actually stopped long enough to look in the window. Barely anyone went inside the shop.

For years the tiny angel was unboxed and placed in the picture window. Each year, after Christmas, the shop owners would place her back in a box with the other Christmas items that no one wanted. Year after year she was placed in her spot, and then taken back to the warehouse. Unboxed, and then boxed back up. Somehow the tiny angel became chipped at the bottom of her dress.

The shopkeeper stood gazing out the large store window. “Only six more days until Christmas”, said the old man to his wife. He turned to look at her and flashed a thin smile, pointing out the window, “Not much time left for those poor souls out there in this winter storm”.

Edith nodded her white-haired head agreeing with her husband, “The snow is really coming down”, she stated, adding, “I doubt we'll see very many customers today”. Slowly the old woman walked over to her husband, and slipped her arm around his skinny waist.

For a moment they stood silently looking out the large store window at the flurry of fluffy flakes coming down, until Edith suddenly blurted, “Henry, did you go through that box of donations we just got from the charity?” She turned to look at him, and then explained, “There was supposed to be a few Christmas antiques at the bottom”.

“Oh!”, said Henry in reply, “I completely forgot, Dear”. He slipped from his wife's embrace and started walking toward the backroom.

“Those antiques won't sell themselves sitting in a box in the back”, teased Edith. She turned and looked at the assortment of antiques in the front window, and frowned as she said, “You'll have to clean up the front window display, sweetheart. There's barely any room for new items”.

The old woman's gaze fell upon the little angel. “Oh, no”, clucked Edith, “This poor little girl has a chipped dress”. With a withered hand, she deftly picked up the little angel. “Poor thing”, repeated Edith, “I've watched for years, and no one wanted you”. She turned the porcelain angel over in her hand and examined the chip at the bottom of the dress. “And now”, she muttered, “You're broken”.

The old antique dealer knew in her heart that this porcelain angel couldn't be fixed. The angel had once belonged to a set, but her sisters had been lost over time. Now this little angel was alone, barely worth anything as a single piece, and unfortunately she had been broken at some point in time. With a heavy sigh the woman shook her head, and admitted the truth, “No one is going to buy you now”. With the tiny angel in her hand Edith walked over to the counter and placed the porcelain piece down.

“Hullo Dear”, called out Henry, “I found that box you wanted me to sort through, and I discovered a beautiful antique Nativity set at the bottom...”

“Told you, sweetie”.

Henry sighed, and then chuckled. His wife had an eye for rare and expensive items, and the discovery of such a gorgeous manger set was nothing new to him. With a nod he walked over to Edith and very carefully set down the cardboard box.

“I'll have to completely redo the front window display”, he admitted.

“It's a good day for it”, she stated, “With the snowstorm we're getting I doubt we'll get very many customers”. Edith added, “PLUS, that Nativity set will certainly be a wonderful display, with Christmas being so close and everything”.

“Someone will buy it”, said Henry as he began to clean up the display in the window. “What do you want me to do with all of this extra stuff? Some of these have been here for a couple of years”, he asked.

Edith shrugged, and gestured toward the store counter. “Just put them on the counter and we'll sort through them. I do believe we need to downsize some of the cheaper items”.

Henry noticed the porcelain angel on the counter. “Why is that over there? Is someone going to buy it?”, he asked.

“Unfortunately, no”, answered Edith, “I noticed there was a small chip at the bottom, and I was going to throw it out”.

“That is unfortunate”, admitted Henry, “I sort of liked the little piece, but it never fit in with anything”.

“With the rest of the set gone, I believe that it's now worthless”.

“Oh well”, grunted Henry as he bent over and began to carefully unwrap the gold and silver Nativity set.

Donated by a local charity, it had once belonged to a wealthy woman. It came complete with a hand-crafted stable, Mary, Joseph, Jesus, three Wise men, two shepherds, an assortment of animals, and of course, a host of angels. It was indeed wondrous and a sight to behold!

“It's beautiful!”, said Edith as she watched her husband unpack the box.

Just then the front door to the store opened. The wind whistled as an elderly lady dressed in a warm parka and tall leather boots walked into the shop. A small bell dinged as the door closed. Ding-ding!

“Good gracious me”, muttered the old woman, “It's a full-blown snowstorm out there”. She stomped her feet to rid herself of the snow that clung to her black, leather boots.

Henry straightened himself and walked over to the woman with a wide smile. “Welcome”, he said with a slight wave of his hand, “To our little antique shop. If there's anything you need help with let me know”.

“Ah, yes”, replied the woman. She smiled, and paused before speaking, “I'm just browsing. Christmas is almost here, and I'm looking to see if I can find anything to decorate my house with”.

“Well, you've come to the right place”, beamed the old shopkeeper, “We have a whole aisle of Christmas antiques, right this way”.

“Excellent!”, snapped the woman, and she strode over to the Christmas section of the store. After a short while of browsing she emerged with her arms loaded with glittering decorations from years past; a veritable treasure-trove of trinkets and artifacts.

“Oh, my”, said the shopkeeper, and he went to assist the woman. “Here, let me help you”, he offered, gesturing toward the cash register.

“Thank you”, replied the lady with a large grin, “I can't believe what I just found! You would not believe what I just found!”. She bubbled happily, “When I was younger my mom used to have these very ornaments hanging from our tree. OH, look! And this one is the same. You'd almost swear it was the same ones”.

“Well, I'm happy you found what you were looking for”, said Henry, with a nod. “Our little antique shop can be a time machine for some people, like you”, he added.

With a look of happiness and surprise, the customer blurted, “Oh! My goodness! You're so right!”. She picked up one of the ornaments from the counter and lovingly smiled at it. “This one reminds me of my mom”, she said in a sombre tone. She gently placed the crystal ornament on the store counter, and then exclaimed, “My dear”, pointing at the little, broken angel, “That poor thing is broken! What a shame!”

“Uh, yes”, replied Henry, “Do you like it?”

“The woman shook her head, and sniffed, “It's broken at the bottom, and besides it looks dishevel and dusty. Who would want such a thing? I'm sorry, but I think that one's seen better days, and I would just toss it in the rubbish”.

“I'm afraid you're right”, said Henry with a nod. He quickly finished ringing up the woman's purchases and bid her farewell. “Thank you for coming, and a Merry Christmas!”

Henry set to work on the fancy manger set. He set up the barn in the middle of the window display, then added fake snow. He set up a few tiny fake ornamental trees around the barn, then he carefully began to set up the figurines. First came the shepherds and an angel that hung from the ceiling. Then Henry set up the three Wise men and their camels. Next he set up the barn animals; the cow, a couple of sheep, and of course, the donkey that carried the unborn Son of God and His Mother. Last, Henry set up Mary and Joseph, then the manger, and carefully he placed the crystal baby Jesus in the manger.

As he was working, Edith was tidying up the shop. She happened upon the tiny angel standing on the store's counter. “Dear me”, she muttered, “What a shame. A broken angel. I don't have the heart in me to throw you out”.

“What's that dear?”, called Henry from the front of the store.

“Nothing sweetheart”, replied Edith, “I was just saying that it's a shame”.

“What's a shame?”

“That we have to throw out this tiny, broken angel”.

“Oh”, said Henry. He didn't what else to say. The little angel had been in the store for many years, and no one wanted her. The fact that she was chipped meant the item was worthless. There was no use in trying to sell the little porcelain angel. “I'll do it later”, he stated with a grunt.

The front door opened, and the door bell chimed. A tall man dressed from neck to toe in black, polished leather entered the shop. His boots made a thump on the hardwood floor of the old shop. Thump, thump, thump.

“Can I help you?”, asked Henry.

The man grinned. “You just might be able to help me, sir!”, he stated. His black, leather jacket squeaked as he turned to point at the exquisite, gold and silver manger scene in the front window. “THAT!”, he barked, “Is the coolest thing I have seen all day! My wife would absolutely LOVE to set that for Christmas!”

Henry couldn't believe it! He had just barely set up the manger set and someone was already interested in purchasing it. “I just took it out of the boxes”, explained Henry, “But I can just as quickly pack them all back up”.

“It's an antique, right? My wife LOVES antiques”, chirped the man, “Although I don't get it, she totally flips out about a good antique”.

“Over 60 years old”, stated Henry, “From Europe”.

“Sold!”

The leather clad man walked over to the counter to pay Edith while Henry boxed up the manger set. As he swiped his credit card he noticed the tiny, broken angel. “What's that?”, he asked, then added, “It's broken. Who would want something that's broken?”

“Yes, indeed”, said Edith quietly, “Who would?”

“Not me or my wife!”, said the man, “We have very expensive tastes, and something as ugly as that wouldn't be on display in OUR home!”

Henry walked up with a giant box full of the little figures, the barn, and all the accessories. “There you go my good man. I hope you and your wife have a Merry Christmas, and best wishes for the New Year”, he said with a wide grin. “And, thank you for shopping with us today”, he quickly added.

“You too”, called the man as he stomped out into the snowstorm.

Henry smiled at his wife, “Well, that was a fast sale. That Mary and Joseph set with the crystal angel sold as soon as I set it up! How great is that?”

“If only the rest of our goods sold as fast...”

“We would never get any rest”, interrupted Henry with a twinkle in his eye, “And I wouldn't have time to kiss my beautiful wife, now would I?”. Henry walked over to Edith with an impish smirk on his face. His youthful blue eyes twinkled with mischief. Edith stood still, anticipating what was to come next. She loved when her husband was playful and acted cute. She raised her aged hands to reach for her lifelong lover, and eagerly grasped his wrinkled fingers in hers. They pulled each other close, and softly kissed.

Suddenly, the front door flew open! The shopkeepers pulled away quickly. Edith blushed and walked over to find something to do behind the cash register, while Henry was left to greet the newest customer. “Ahh, yes!”, he said, somewhat flustered, “Please come in! It's blowing snow the size of basketballs”.

“TIMMY!”, screeched a woman from outside the door, “Come in the store, NOW!”

Henry moved closer to see what the commotion was, when in a flurry of motion and mutters a middle-aged mom practically dragged a pre-teenage boy into the shop.

“Oh”, said Henry, “Hello. Merry Christmas!”

“Merry Christmas, to you as we....”, she said, then stopped in midsentance. “TIMMY! Don't touch ANYTHING”, she warned, shaking her finger at the young boy. Turning to face the shopkeeper, she quickly muttered, “He's having an off day, and isn't listening”.

Edith came out from behind the counter, and replied, “That's OK. We all have off days”. Turning to face the young man, she asked, “Timmy, would you like a candy. You have to be a good boy though”. Edith brandished a lollipop, and grinned.

The young boy raced forward, and eagerly took the lollipop. He nodded, as he popped the sucker in his mouth. “I'll be good”.

“Thank you”, said mom with a sigh of relief. “Come on Timmy”, she called, “Let's go look”.

Henry and Edith tidied up while the mother and her son shopped. Timmy tried his best to be good, but there was so many shiny and pretty things to look at and touch. “Please stop touching things”, his mom groaned, as she did her best to see what she could find.

“Oh, TiMMy!!”, called Edith. She knew that mom was having a hard time shopping with her autistic youngster, and having years of experience she did her utmost to distract the young, gifted child. “Oh, Timmy! Come and see what I have”, she cried melodically. Brandishing the tiny, broken angel as a distraction, she called again, “Let mommy shop, Timmy. I have something for you”.

Timmy, ever eager to see new things decided to go and see what the old woman was showing him. His mom shot a silent “Thank you” to the older woman, and turned to the isle of Christmas antiques, finally able to browse for a brief moment.

The tiny angel sat in the wrinkled outstretched hand. She felt something odd, something she hadn't felt in quite some time. In anticipation, she waited.

Plop! Down went the tiny angel; from dry, wrinkled skin that smelled of lavender and spice, to a wet, chubby, sticky palm. Plop! The eager youngster smacked his other hand down on the angel to catch it.

The little angel was surrounded by warmth, and when she was lifted up to nuzzle under the young boy's chin she felt that sensation once again.

Happiness.

Timmy stood still as his whole world became focused on the angel. He noticed her perfections and imperfections, her flaws, and of course, her significance.

After a short time Timmy's mother came around the isle bearing an armload of priceless antiquities. She walked over to the counter and shot a smile at her gifted son. “You've been a good boy, Timmy!”, she admitted.

“Angel”, was all that Timmy replied.

As Edith carefully wrapped each antique in a Styrofoam carton or box, she asked, “Do you want me to wrap that angel up as well”, with a nod she added, “Your son seems to like her”.

“Oh!”, blurted mom, completely caught off guard, “I didn't pay for...”

“The angel is free for your boy”, stated Henry with a smile, “I believe the young Miss has found a home”.

Naturally, the mother interjected, “But I couldn't...”

Edith smiled softly, and agreed with her husband, “But you will.” There was a slight pause before she said, “I agree with Henry. The young lad may keep the angel”.

“You are too kind”, replied mom, with a bit of embarrassment. “I don't know what to say...”

Henry gruffed, “A mere thank you is suffice. Besides the young man has shown more love to that antique than anyone is a decade!”.

From out of nowhere, Timmy called out, “Thank you!”. He was beaming, holding the tiny angel aloft in his eager hands.

Back at home, Timmy helped his mom place the tiny, broken angel above the fireplace on the mantle. They had a small, handmade, wood barn. There was a small host of GI Joes for shepherds, but the sheep were plastic replicas from Timmy's farm set, as well as, a cow, a pig with a few piglets, a plastic goat, and a Tyrannosaurus Rex. The three wise men were Barbie dolls from his sister's collection, and the camels were “My Little Pony” figurines. Mary and Joseph were from an actual set, and so was the manger and baby Jesus.

The only thing missing from the nativity scene was an angel, until now.

Very carefully, Timmy placed the tiny angel in her spot, right in the very center. He stepped back to admire the newest addition to the family's Christmas decorations.

“It's beautiful”, sang Timmy's mom. She could see the satisfaction in her son's body language.

“Angel”, agreed Timmy.