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TAMMY TROTTER - A MOTHER'S LOVE

9/5/2019

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Tammy Trotter is a Creative Writing student at Full Sail University

​ A Mother’s Love

​  Ding dong. Stacy was getting ready for bed when she heard the doorbell. It was odd to have a visitor this late in the evening, so she ran downstairs to see who was at the door. Looking through the peephole, Stacy didn't see anyone there. Strange. She opened the door to step onto the porch when she noticed the package. A gold wrapped box with a red bow tied around it. It was two days before Christmas, maybe it was a gift. But for who?
     Stacy picked the box up and brought it into the house. There was no tag or envelope to announce who had sent the gift. She wasn't even sure it was meant for her. The neighbors next door were always receiving packages from their huge extended family. Maybe it was meant for them. She would run it by their place in the morning. It was far to late tonight. Stacy cut the porch and downstairs lights off, set the house alarm, and went up to bed. Sleep came quickly, that night. It had been a long day for Stacy.
     Between school and work, she had little time for much more. She hadn't even had the time to decorate for the holidays, much less shop for her few friends and what little family she had left. They were always worrying about her. Her mother had passed away during the summer. The busy and hectic schedule that Stacy kept helped her to keep her mind off of her loss and stay focused on other things. Christmas was a bit more difficult. It had been her moms favorite holiday. Stacy had loved helping her mother decorate the house and bake. She held fond memories of this time of year. But, the holiday season was remarkably different, now.
     A noise from downstairs startled Stacy awake. It sounded as if someone was looking around and through her things. Stacy was sure that she had secured the doors and set the house alarm. Fear gave way to curiosity. Besides, if someone were inside, the alarm would have alerted her and the alarm company. She lived in a fairly quiet and safe neighborhood.
     Stacy slipped her feet into her slippers, grabbed her robe to put on, and tiptoed outside her bedroom to the top of the staircase. She waited and listened. Nothing. Just as she was about to go to her room, she heard the noise, again. She was positive, this time. She heard scurrying and faint whispers. Someone was definitely down there.
     Stacy scoured the upstairs hall for a weapon. Anything would be better than going down empty-handed. She remembered a baseball bat that was stored in the hall closet. She tiptoed to the closet, retrieved the bat, and began her silent decent down the stairs. She just needed to make it to the alarm keypad by the door. There, she could signal the silent alarm for the alarm company and help would be on the way.
     As Stacy stepped down onto the last step, she caught a whirl of light out of the corner of her eye. She noticed that the gift box she had brought in earlier was open on the table. It looked like ice was all around the box on the table. She thought it was very odd and looked over into the box. Inside, was a pile of snow, that had somehow managed to stay frozen, even in her warm cozy house. On top of the snow was a note. It was a single sheet with a familiar handwriting on it.
     Stacy’s hands were trembling as she sat the bat against the table and reached in for the paper. Her eyes filed with tears as she read.
 Dearest Stacy,
  I know that this year is difficult without me. I have been watching over you and wanted to give you something to smile about. Enjoy every day, my love. Don’t forget to celebrate.
Love,
Mom
     Oh my! Stacy dropped the note on the table and ran into the living room. She found a decorated tree, presents, lights, and baked goodies; just like things were when her mother was still alive. As she sat and marveled at the sight before her, Stacy saw the star atop of the tree glimmer, sparkle, and glow. For the first time in months, Stacy truly smiled. She sat back on the couch, covered up with her favorite blanket, and fell asleep to dream of her mother and days gone by.
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