Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world.

Additional Story for Christmas Contest –  James Colasanti

December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas Everyone

AN ANGEL IN BETWEEN

by

James Colasanti, Jr.

     As the passing ambulance sped toward the hospital, the shrill sound of the siren

pierced the darkness.  But it was too late; no amount of speed could meet the need

of the ambulance's mission.

     Later that night reaching from his bed Jeremy Ward's left hand pressed against

the frosted window pane leaving an indelible print.  Rivelets of water began to run

down the glass forming a small pool on the window sill.

     Christmas Day was hastily approaching; a mere five days away, and Jeremy

was hoping to be back home.

     The 10-year old pressed his nose closer in order to get a better view of

his family standing in the hospital parking lot below.

     In the glow of the streetlight stood his Grandfather Sam, holding a small box

and the leash to Jeremy's dog; Cain, a large white lab-Samoyed mix; Jeremy's

father, Robert; and Jeremy's mother, Margaret.  Cain was the reason they

were outside:  dogs were not allowed in the hospital's ICU.  And it was

Jeremy's beloved dog who had sniffed out the recurring leukemia.  Everyone

had thought the disease had long since been defeated, but Jeremy's body

was no match for its latest onslaught.

     Moments later Grandpa Sam came ambling into Jeremy's room carrying

the same small box.  Jeremy could see the box had been wrapped in glittery

Christmas paper with a small bow on the top.

     "What's in the box, Grandpa?"  Jeremy asked.

     "A Christmas present for you.  Something my father made for me, and

I'm passing it on to you----sort of like a tradition."

     "When I was a little boy--just about your age--your Greatgrandfather

Joseph, my father, taught me about dogs and the angels."

     Grandpa Sam paused, "Jeremy, you know how Santa has all those

elves to build all of the toys at Christmastime.  You know:  his helpers."

     Grandpa Sam continued, "You see, Jeremy, when God made the

Earth he created dogs to be His eyes--maintaining His watchfulness--

on Earth.  You know:  His helpers.  He wanted them here to protect

people, to be their companions, and to just always be underfoot.  And

to be sure that they would report directly back to Him, He gave every

dog an angel, an angel in between, to be the dog's voice between

Heaven and Earth.  That way God could be aware of everything

going on in His domain."

     "Go ahead," Grandpa Sam urged, "Open the box."

     Inside was a small, hand-whittled oak ornament of an angel

with open wings holding a small dog in its arms.  Attached was

a bright blue ribbon with which to hang it.

     Two days later, Jeremy Ward joined his Greatgrandfather

Joseph in Heaven.

     The sun remained a stranger at the cemetery that Christmas

Eve privately mourning behind the curtain of ashen clouds.

Snow was falling at a steady pace.

     Grandpa Sam had slipped the angel ornament inside Jeremy's

hand when no one was looking.

     Cain's head rested on the foot of the casket during the

services.  Cain knew his master was gone, but, as with the rest

of the family, letting go was not yet an option.

     A pall had settled in for the night around the Ward household.

Everyone chose to be alone with private memories:  to pass the

lengthy time; and to deal with their own feelings.

     Grandpa Sam had turned on the lights on the Christmas tree

and had left them on as part of the annual tradition.  But he had

long ago retired to his room, dozing in and out in his chair as he

feigned reading a book.

     Cain's loud bark disturbed the still house.  Grandpa Sam

stirred from his shallow slumber.  The barking was continuous

and was coming from the living room.

     When Grandpa Sam got to the living room, Cain was seated

at the foot of the Christmas tree barking, almost happily.

     "Cain, what is it, Boy?  There's nobody here."

     Grandpa Sam looked up from Cain to the tree----a shimmer

of blue catching his eye.  There on one of the upper boughs

hanging from its bright blue ribbon was the carved angel:  indeed,

as Grandpa Sam had said, delivering a message----but this time

from Heaven.

     James Colasanti, Jr. is a lead clerk for Barnes & Noble

Booksellers.  He shares his home with his housemate and

16 dogs.  His stories have appeared in a variety of magazines

and also in the archives at Petwarmers.com.  He can be

reached at:  onegooddog1@bellsouth.net.