pink bundle. The place was clean as could be with a little fire burning in the fireplace. On the table was a bowl of shiny apples and a plate of ham and biscuits. I went to stand by the pink bundle. It was just like the doll I lost when I was a little thing. I never forgot it. She had white hair like me and a pretty pink dress. I cried and cried when the thing came up missing. Granddaddy said that’s what I got for leaving the thing out on the porch during the night. He didn’t much care for toys and fun anyway.
“That’s my baby.” The voice was quiet but stern.
I whipped around and faced the angel. Up close lines showed around her eyes and her hair fell in tangles down her back.
“Give her to me.” She held out her hands.
“She used to belong to me. Santa brought her one Christmas when I was young.”
The angel took the doll from me in a rush, clutching the bundle to her chest. “You must be mistaken. Go.”
“I’m sorry.” I walked sideways.
She came close and touched my arm. “She’s my baby. Understand?”
“Yes. Of course. Anyone could see that.” I swallowed my fear.
“You go on home. You’re not supposed to come here.” She hissed the words.
“I’m going.” I stepped to the door.
“You don’t bother me and Talley May no more. This is my girl. We’re having Christmas. She loves Christmas most of all. Talley May is all mine.”
A rumble began deep within the ground under my feet.
“My husband died when a mule kicked him in the head.” She looked at me. “That ain’t no way to die. My daddy said I lost my mind. He tried to take my Talley May but I went back for her. We’re having Christmas this whole week. She deserves it. She’s been through way too much.”
“My name is Talley May.” I watched her.
She smiled. “My daddy tells me all about you when he comes to visit. He tells me about you. He says you love Christmas best of all. I have to stay here in the woods because folks would run me off the mountain. They think I’m crazy.” She spat the words. “I’m not.”
“You’re not crazy.” I walked closer. “You’re my angel and that can’t be crazy.” I touched her hair.
She smiled again. “You should come back on Christmas Day. My daddy always brings gifts.” She ran her hand through her hair.
“Maybe I will.”
She nodded. “Good. I’ll teach you to dance like me.”
The mountain whispered as I walked through the woods. When I came into the clearing, Charles Ray climbed from his truck. “You’re here. You know.” He watched me. “Merry Christmas, Talley May. It’s kind of a shock, but I hope a good one.”
Black Mountain beat beneath my feet, vibrating through me into my heart. Home. This was home. The mountain had granted my Christmas wish. A family.
###
About the Author
Ann Hite’s debut novel, Ghost On Black Mountain, not only became a Townsend Prize Finalist but won Georgia Author of the Year in 2012. Her personal essays and short stories have been published in numerous national anthologies. The Storycatcher, her second Black Mountain novel, will be released by Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster on September 10th. Lowcountry Spirit, an eBook novella, is available from Pocket Star, also an imprint of Simon & Schuster. Ann is an admitted book junkie with a library of over a thousand books. She lives in Smyrna, Georgia with her husband and daughter, where she allows her Appalachian characters to dictate their stories.
Other books by this author
Please visit your favorite print book and ebook retailer to discover other books by Ann Hite:
Ghost On Black Mountain
Published by Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster
Lowcountry Spirit
An ebook novella published Pocketbook, an imprint of Simon & Schuster
The Storycatcher
Published by Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster
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