14 comments/ 24814 views/ 8 favorites The Snow Globe By: TE999 Hello and welcome to my readers. Thank you for your votes, feedback and comments on my submissions. I would also like to wish a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone. In the spirit of the holidays, I offer this little tale for your enjoyment. _________________________ "Good morning to you, young lady. Would you like to purchase a Christmas ornament? I made them myself." Leslie Stuart stared at the sweet faced old woman on her doorstep through eyes still wet from crying. She had discovered Mary Jo's favorite teacup in a kitchen cabinet and the tears had begun to flow again. Leslie's life partner had died eleven months ago, but the wound in Leslie's heart was still fresh and raw. She had almost welcomed the ringing of the doorbell to distract her from the all-encompassing loneliness she felt on a dreary Saturday morning. "I'm sorry, my dear," said the old woman, shifting a large wicker basket from one arm to the other, "Am I disturbing you? I can come back another time." Leslie realized she had been staring at the woman without speaking. "I, I'm sorry ma'am," she replied, "I just was thinking..." "My child," the woman interrupted. "You have been crying. Is there something wrong?" "My partner that I loved very much died almost a year ago," Leslie murmured, her eyes filling with tears once more. "I miss her terribly." "Oh you poor thing," the woman replied. "I'm so sorry. I won't bother you any further." She turned to leave and Leslie grasped her arm. "Please don't go," she said impulsively. "That basket looks heavy. Come inside and rest for a moment. Would you like some tea? I just made some." "Thank you, child," the woman replied. "A cup of tea would be very nice. It has been a long, cold morning." She followed Leslie into the house, the hem of her dark blue dress trailing along the floor. Leslie seated her guest at her kitchen table and placed a cup of hot tea in front of her. After offering cream and sugar, which the woman politely refused, Leslie sat down with her own tea and they began to talk. There was something about the old woman's cherubic face, her iron-grey hair and her kindly manner that put Leslie instantly at ease. In no time, she was pouring her heart out to the kindly stranger. She showed the woman a picture of her and Mary Jo taken on their last vacation. Her slim figure and short blonde hair contrasting with Mary Jo's voluptuous body and long red tresses as they posed in their bikinis, smiling happily at the camera. She and Mary Jo were so much in love that they had cultivated very few friendships, and those had dwindled away after Mary Jo's death; as they so often do when a couple becomes a single. Leslie's family lived far away, so she really had no one to talk to other than her co-workers and was lonely most of the time. The old woman's' visit quickly became an emotional release for Leslie's sadness. Leslie found herself telling the woman how she and Mary Jo had met at a corporate seminar for advertising account managers eight years ago. How they had dated, fallen in love and become life partners, buying their first house together. How Mary Jo was so handy with tools and fixing things, while Leslie's domain was the kitchen. She wept anew as she told how Mary Jo had gone to the hospital for a routine operation to have bone spurs removed from her heels caused by marathon running, which they both did for fun. Then, inexplicably, a viral infection had set in after the operation and a week later, her partner was dead. The woman arose from her chair and hugged Leslie's shoulders as she covered her face with her hands and sobbed, once again overwhelmed by the memories. "There, there my child," she said soothingly. "I am so sad for your loss. Some times, it is good to talk these things out with someone else. Thank you for the tea. I will not bother you any further." "Wait, please," said Leslie, wiping her eyes with a napkin. "You wanted to show me some Christmas ornaments you had made. I would like to see them." "Very well," said the woman, lifting the basket to the kitchen table. "I have some lovely ones here that I think you will like." Folding back the wooden lid, the old woman began removing the most intricate and beautiful ornaments from the basket Leslie had ever seen. She placed them one by one on the table in front of the astonished woman, smiling benignly as Leslie's eyes widened in wonder. They were not the customary colored ornaments, but rather finely wrought figurines that seemed almost lifelike in their detail and complexity. Leslie was almost afraid to touch them for fear that they would break in her hands. Reindeer, polar bears, camels, donkeys, penguins, lambs and birds stood stiffly on her kitchen table; their eyes bright and looking for all the world as if they would move at any second. Leslie poked a tentative finger at a polar bear figurine and laughed with surprise as she felt warm fur. All the figurines had the same strange warmth as she examined them in turn, marveling at their almost sentient quality. The woman then set out equally intricate wooden soldiers, nutcrackers and snow people; followed by a lifelike Santa Claus, delicate angels and children in pajamas. Leslie laughed excitedly at the display, feeling happier than she had been in a long time. 'How can she fit all these beautiful ornaments in that basket,' she wondered to herself. Then, yet another new figurine caught her eye and the thought crept away. "They're all so beautiful," she exclaimed as the old woman stood next to her, smiling. "I don't see how I could pick just one and yet I can't buy all of them. How am I to choose?" "They are all beautiful, my dear," the woman replied. "But I have one here that I think you will like more than all of these." Reaching into her basket, she withdrew a large snow globe and handed it to Leslie. "I think this is what you need most of all," she said sweetly. Leslie turned the snow globe slowly in her hands. The scene inside was a cabin in the forest and the detail was incredible. She had not shaken it, but the snow fell slowly and gently inside the globe; coating the cabins roof, the trees and the ground with a blanket of gleaming white. She could see the grain in the cabins logs, the finely wrought scrollwork outlining the porch, the individual window panes rimed with ice; it all looked so real and somehow comforting. "Is it not beautiful, my child?' said the old woman in a soft voice. "It is so peaceful and serene in the forest and it is cozy and warm inside the cabin." At her words, smoke began to curl from the chimney and the windows emitted a subdued glow. 'It looks so peaceful there,' Leslie thought. 'I wish that I was inside having a mug of tea or maybe hot chocolate.' While Leslie was examining the snow globe, the woman placed the other ornaments back in the basket and closed the lid. "That one is yours, my dear," she said, lifting the basket and walking briskly towards the door. "It is my Christmas present to you." "No, wait," Leslie cried placing the globe on the table and running after the woman as she walked out the front door. "I can't take this; let me pay you something for it, please." "The happiness it will bring you is my payment, my child," the old woman replied as she moved nimbly down the front porch steps and down the sidewalk, "And a very Merry Christmas to you, Leslie." "Wait, please," Leslie called after the receding figure. "I don't even know your name." There was no response. Leslie watched while the woman disappeared around the corner, moving rather quickly for someone her age. Shaking her head in confusion, she went back in her house to examine her ornament more closely. *** Leslie set her laptop and briefcase down by the umbrella stand that Mary Jo had found at a garage sale and locked her front door. It had been a difficult day at Cort and Associates and she was glad to be home. Oddly, she did not feel the pang of loss that usually arose when she walked in the front door, instead she felt strangely comforted and at peace. Ever since the mysterious old woman had visited her and left the beautiful snow globe behind, her sadness had abated and she once again felt hopeful about the future. Leslie was unable to explain it, but it came as a welcome change. She walked to the fireplace where the globe sat on the mantel and watched the snow gently falling on the cozy cabin. She had examined the globe carefully numerous times in the two weeks since the old woman's visit and could find no openings for batteries or a winding key that would light the cabin or propel the snow. Finally, she accepted the phenomenon and enjoyed the quiet beauty the globe contained. Suddenly Leslie noticed a line of glowing script along the base of the globe she had never seen before. How could she have overlooked it before now? "I am your hearts desire", she read aloud, "and I bring you peace." The words had barely left her lips when the snow began to fall harder, the cabins windows glowed brighter and the curl of smoke from the chimney became a black plume. She set the globe back on the mantel as a feeling of well being enveloped her. Walking to the kitchen, Leslie prepared her evening meal wearing a broad smile. *** Leslie sighed contentedly as Mary Jo's warm body pressed against her back and her hand caressed her breasts. They loved the weekends when they could lie in bed and pleasure each other for hours. The week's pressures and aggravations melted away when they were together skin to skin under the cotton sheets and down coverlet of their big bed. Leslie rolled on her back to allow Mary Jo greater access to her body and was not disappointed when her partners' soft lips enveloped each erect nipple in turn. She slowly caressed Mary Jo's back and buttocks as her lovers' long fingers teasingly entered her wet cleft, parting the engorged lips and gliding against the pink inner folds. Leslie's hips rose to meet her partners probing fingers as Mary Jo's thumb found her throbbing clit, rubbing it in time with her fingers thrusts. "Ohhhh, baby, it feels sooo good," Leslie moaned as Mary Jo sucked and licked on her thick nippled breasts, increasing the speed of her fingers in her partners wet cunt. "Ahhhh, yes love, yes," Leslie cried as Mary Jo brought her to orgasm repeatedly until she fell back on the bed in a satisfied daze. "How was that, lover?" Mary Jo purred, snuggling up to Leslie's still quivering body, "Neat way to start the weekend, huh?" "Sure beats coffee and a sweet roll," Leslie giggled, reaching for Mary Jo and rolling her on her back. Then it was Mary Jo's turn to moan and gasp as Leslie licked and sucked her way down to her lovers' wet pussy. Leslie lifted Mary Jo's legs over her shoulders and buried her wiggling tongue between her partners' slippery outer lips. "Mmmmm, you eat so good, sweetie," Mary Jo groaned happily, as Leslie nibbled on her erect clit and swiped her tongue along the wet pussy flesh down to her partners' asshole. Leslie eased her finger into her lovers' puckered anal ring, pumping slowly in and out and licking rapidly in her pussy. "Ummmm, do me, lover, do meee..." Mary Jo cried as her orgasms rolled through her. Arching her back she thrust against Leslie's finger and tongue until she collapsed, mewing with pleasure. "And how was that, lover?" Mary Jo laughed, covering her partners trembling body with her own and kissing her hard on the lips. "Oh God, I love you so much," Mary Jo whispered, wrapping her arms and legs around Leslie, returning her kiss with equal fervor. "Be with me always, or I think I shall die." "I'm yours forever, my darling," Leslie replied, "And you are mine, forever." "Forever," Mary Jo sighed, "forever." *** Leslie awoke with a start. Instinctively she reached for Mary Jo to hold her tight, and then realized that once again she was alone. It had been a dream, a glorious dream, a wonderful dream; so vivid and so real. The crotch of her pajama bottoms was soaked with her juices and she felt the post orgasmic bliss she had experienced countless times with Mary Jo. She had never dreamt so vividly before and instead of sadness at awaking alone, she felt strangely comforted and fulfilled. She quickly changed pajamas, eager to fall asleep and dream again of her lovers' touch. *** Leslie smiled and waved to her co-workers, wishing them all Merry Christmas as she left her office. Mr. Cort had allowed them to leave early on Christmas Eve, as he knew they were anxious to be with their loved ones on this special night. Several of Leslie's work acquaintances had invited her to their homes so she would not be alone, but she politely refused. She had not felt so desperately alone since the snow globe had been on her mantel and she was actually anxious to return home to be with it. Stopping briefly to pick up a prepared meal at a local restaurant, she was soon closing the front door behind her. Quickly finishing her dinner, she began brewing a pot of tea. Changing into jeans and a sweatshirt, Leslie placed the snow globe before her on the living room coffee table. She tuned the stereo to a station playing Christmas music and sat down in the large armchair that she and Mary Jo loved to sit in together. Sipping her tea, she could almost feel her lovers' body against hers, her soft lips brushing her cheek, her warm breath in her ear. Suddenly feeling drowsy, she placed her mug on the table, settled back in the chair and closed her eyes. Before her on the table, the snow globe suddenly began to glow with increasing intensity until its light enveloped the room and the sleeping woman. *** Leslie felt a cold wind on her face and she opened her eyes. She was in a snowy forest, the flakes blowing against her skin, gathering on her hair and lashes. She felt no fear, only peace and happiness. Then the snow stopped falling and she could see clearly in front of her. She gave a squeal of surprise; it was the cabin in the snow globe. She began to walk slowly towards it, feet crunching into the new fallen snow, wondering who or what lived inside. Suddenly the door of the cabin opened and a figure appeared on the porch, silhouetted against the light from the interior. Leslie thought she saw a flash of red as the figure descended the steps, walking slowly towards her. All at once, she knew... she knew! She began to run as the figure ran towards her, red hair flying. Then she was in Mary Jo's arms, laughing and dancing in the snow, exchanging passionate kisses and hugging each other tightly. "Oh my love," Leslie cried, "I missed you so. How can this be? What place is this?" "It is where we will never be parted again my darling," Mary Jo replied, brushing the snow from her lovers smiling face, "where we will be together forever." "If this is a dream, then I don't want to ever wake up," Leslie replied happily. "Please tell me it's not a dream." "It's not a dream, my sweet one," Mary Jo replied. "It's a place of happiness for those who truly love one another. Let us go, I have made a pot of your favorite tea. We have to the end of eternity to be with one another." Arms around each other's waists and Leslie's head on Mary Jo's shoulder, the lovers' walked into the cabin, the heavy wooden door closing soundlessly behind them. *** Smiling contentedly, the cherubic faced old woman placed Leslie and Mary Jo's snow globe on a rough wooden shelf that, like the others above and below it, seemed to stretch into the infinite depths of time. "Eternal happiness unto you, my children," she intoned solemnly. All the shelves contained similar globes depicting various scenes from the dawn of humankind, each glowing with their own internal light while the air rang with the sounds of music and laughter. Checking the contents of her wicker basket, the woman leapt nimbly into the seat of a large, rough-hewn wooden cart and whistled softly to her team of bright-eyed reindeer, donkeys and camels. Leaning into their harnesses, they pulled the cart smoothly into a cascade of multi-colored lights as they, the cart and the old woman disappeared. *** News item: Clear Lake City 'Times-Journal' December 31, 2006 AUTHORITIES CALL OFF SEARCH FOR MISSING WOMAN Local police have suspended their search for a woman missing since Christmas Day. Ms. Leslie Stuart, 42, disappeared from her home at 274 Maple Avenue on or about December 25th and has not been seen since. A Senior Account Executive with the firm of Cort and Associates; Ms. Stuart's disappearance was reported by her co-workers on December 26th when she did not report for work and they went to check on her. After entering the house, police could find no evidence of foul play and no new leads have developed. Family members have been notified and any further investigation is pending. End. The Snow Globe Sarah was doing some last minute cleaning of her apartment while she thought about what the evening had is store for her. She was nervous and excited for Matt to come over. The two of them, old friends, had recently started to become something more. The two had gone to high school together where they belonged to the same group of friends. After graduation they went to two different colleges. Sarah to NYU and Matt to VT. Sarah was a small girl at five feet even with blonde hair, blue eyes, and pretty face. While at NYU she developed condition which riddled her with stomach ulcers and left her hospitalized forcing her to take a year off. As a result she was very thin and under weight. She looked out the window as saw how hard it was snowing and worried a little about Matt. She remembered how he made her feel though when he wrapped his arms around her for the first time, she felt safe she knew he'd be alright. Matt trudged uphill through he fierce snow blanketing the residential area of Morgantown called South Park. Matt, not very tall at a height of five foot six with thick brown hair and brown eyes, was not very cold he was broad and muscular due to the gym being a great stress reliever, and with the anticipations for tonight he was very stressed. He thought about the first weekend at WVU after he transferred, the same weekend he was reunited with Sarah. Having changed his major and transferring back to his home state Matt was a year behind. His younger brother took him to a party that was mostly filled with freshmen. Unenthused Matt stepped outside for air. While standing on the porch with his cup of beer a familiar voice called out to him. It was Sarah, she was walking home when she saw him on the porch of the house the party was at. The two talked and caught up. They talked about the loneliness they felt at their new college, mutual love of the same music and films. The conversation carried on for a long time, and when Matt's brother and friends came out to leave Matt asked Sarah out. The pair went on a few dates mainly to bars since they were both 21 and their new friends too young to come. One cold December night Matt was teaching Sarah how to play darts and worked up the courage to kiss her. She was surprised but loved it. Several weeks had passed and December turned into January the pair were taking their relationship slow but during their last date at Matt's apartment the pair made out without shirts on they both knew the next step though it was never said. Sarah called Matt and invited him over for wine and a movie though she had other intentions. Sarah's attention had moved from the window to her bedroom mirror. She looked at her self, though she had put on more weight she was still very underweight and thin she was very self-conscious about it wearing baggy clothing and making out in the dark but Matt didn't mind her cared about her all the same. There was a nock at her door. Sarah lived in a house that was split into three one person apartments one in the basement, one on the ground floor, and one on the top floor. The top floor was Sarah's, she ran down the stairs and opened the door. Matt stood covered in snow he just smiled at her and did not look uncomfortable. She invited him in and he followed her in she had a long red skirt on and a baggy tan pullover covering a tight black shirt. Matt removed his jacket and was wearing a pair of khakis and a green and blue flannel shirt. Sarah loved this shirt because it made him look like a rugged mountain man. They hugged and he came inside. The apartment was a typical college apartment wall to wall carpeting with very small rooms branching off a long hall way. At the end of the hall was her living room but the first right was the kitchen, he followed her there. They talked about their days while Sarah poured wine. Her hands were shaking she was nervous. The pair walked into the living room and put in a movie and took their places on the couch Matt sat down in the corner of the couch upright with one leg on the couch and wrapped his arms around Sarah as she laid back against him. She felt safe in his arms and she listened to his heart beat. It was faster than normal he was nervous too. A quarter of the way through the film Matt decided to test the water by giving Sarah a light rub on her stomach. He did and she placed her hands on his. Matt leaned forward and rested his chin on her shoulder and Sarah cocked her head back on his. Matt knew that this was his window. He turned his head and kissed her neck. He felt the hairs on her arm stand up and he muscles tighten. The kiss surprised Sarah but she loved it. She reached up and touched his check whit her hand and he kissed her again. She turned her head and kissed his lips, he kissed her back. She started to rub his leg with her other hand while Matt ran his hands under her shirt and along her stomach. Sarah sat up and rolled over and Matt slid down the couch a little so Sarah was laying down on top of him, the pair continued to make out. Matt's hands made their way under her sweater and were able to shed it from her body. Sarah unbuttoned his flannel shirt. Matt slid his hands down to her thighs and started to rub them moving he skirt up her legs. Sarah had unbuttoned his shirt and slid he hands under his grey undershirt. Matt rolled them over placing Sarah on her back, he sat up and took off his flannel then his under shirt. Sarah looked at his brown eyes and smiled then seductively bit her lower lip and folded her arms behind her head. Matt smiled at her and climbed off the couch and spread Sarah's legs, she giggled and reached an arm out towards him with her fingers spread. Matt leaned forward and started to suck her fingers and flipped her skirt up and pulled her black panties down her skinny pale legs. He Stopped sucking her fingers and sat down on his knees. He started to lightly massage her clit while gently running his tongue around the lips of her vagina. Sarah gasped and folded one arm behind her head and ran the fingers from her other hand through his thick hair. Matt started batting her clit with his tongue and rubbing her stomach with one hand and running the other over her vagina. She closed her eyes and started to breath heavily. Matt slide one finger into her and she squirmed a little. He pulled it all the way out. Then he stuck two in and she squirmed again, then he pulled them all the way back out. She didn't like being teased and started to grab handfuls of his hair. And let out low whines as she became stimulated by the batting and sucking of her clit. Matt slid his two fingers back in and started to finger her. The combination of the fingering and oral stimulation drove her crazy becoming overcome with ecstasy. She started to throb uncontrollably, Matt fingered harder. She stated to arch her back concave and convex wildly and uncontrollably Matt forced his free hand down on her stomach to hold her in place. Little whimpers started to escape from Sarah as she held back her screams. Her moans became louder as she forced Matt's head into her. She couldn't take it anymore and let out a small sharp scream almost like a yelp then a long loud scream. She let out three quick breathes followed by a louder longer scream. She then pulled Matt's head back, Matt gasped for air. She slowed her breathing and looked him in the eyes. She had a look of determination and domination. Matt looked back at her he grabbed her behind her knees and pulled her off the couch and onto him she screamed a little as she landed wrapped around him. Sarah kissed Matt violently and then pulled away looked him in the eye and said "I want you.... Now!" and climbed off of him. She ran to the hall way, stopped, then turned her head and gave Matt the "follow me" look. Matt got up and gave chase. She ran to the doorway of her room turned and dropped her skirt then turned and sat on the edge of her bed. Matt reached the doorway and undid his pants, dropped them to the ground, kicked off his shoes, and peeled off his socks. Matt ran up to her and she pushed her self back to the center of her old bed Matt climbed onto the bed and pulled his underwear down, his hard cock sprung out. Sarah giggled and hastily removed her tight black shirt leaving her socks on, this drove Matt crazy. Matt edged towards her and opened her legs. Sarah sat up and stroked Matt's cock with one hand. She looked back up at Matt. They locked eyes and said nothing but they both knew what was going to happen. Sarah let go and laid back on her elbows. Matt scrambled back to his pants and removed a condom from his wallet and rolled it on then jumped back onto the bed. He grabbed his cock and started to move it around the outside of her pussy the head of his cock rubbing the lips of her vagina. He leaned forward and passionately kissed Sarah. Sarah cupped his face and fell onto her back pulling him with her. Matt relaxed his legs and shoved his stiff cock into her. She let out a light gasp as he entered her. He stopped and looked at her afraid he was hurting her she pulled him back to her and kissed him more showing it was okay. Matt started thrusting into her lightly. She wrapped her legs around him. The thrusts got faster and deeper. Sarah's small breasts started to giggle. Matt started to breath heavily and grunt with each full penetration. Sarah started breathing heavily too with a long drawn out gasp every time her entered her. Sarah was small and she fully felt his thrusts and the feeling of his cock gliding into her drove her crazy bordering on pain and ecstasy. Matt propped himself up on his arms and pushed harder and faster Sarah reached up and placed her hands on the back of his neck and stated to moan on each pullout. Matt closed his eyes and focused on his thrusts. Sarah stared at him longingly her eyes watering. One hand grazed his cheek. Matt then placed one hand on the headboard and gripped it tight. He increased his hip gyrations and laid into her harder and faster. She reached up and wrapped her arms around him. He came down closer to her their sweaty bodies became one, their arms and legs bounding them together. Matt continued to rail into her. She started to let out whines, pleasure started to build inside her. She stated to shake and throb wildly. Matt knew she was close and tried to hold his load back as it started to build. He started to grunt more. Her whines became small screams. His cock slammed into her harder she started screaming louder digging into his back. Matt powered into her giving it all he had. Sarah let out a loud scream, gasped for air, then let out another one so loud and long she almost passed out. Her muscles tightened and she curled her toes. Her face and breasts became red. She quivered uncontrollably. She felt it boiling over her she climaxed and shook violently. She had never cum like that, it shook her to her core. Matt gave in and came while inside her. He collapsed from exhaustion on top of her. Sarah held one arm across his back and cupped the back of his head with the other, she slowed her breathing. Matt did the same, he could feel her heart against his chest beating wildly. He propped himself up and passionately kissed Sarah the pulled out and walked to the bathroom to clean up. Sarah laid on the bed her thin naked body drenched in sweat. She thought about what just happened, she didn't expect it to go that far but was glad it did. She started to think that she might love him. Her apartment did not hold heat well and she started to shiver. Matt came back in and stood for a second in the doorway and looked at her and the moon light reflecting off of her wet body. She looked beautiful. Sarah turned and looked at him and beckoned for him to come to her. He picked up his boxers and put them on and drew back a corner of the sheets he crawled up to her and lifted her and placed her under them. He crawled in with her, and laid on his back. She crawled on top of him and buried her head into his chest he felt how cold she was and wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. She instantly felt warmer and placed her hands on his chest and rubbed him lightly. Matt kissed her head and ran his hand up and down her back. She drifted asleep Matt kissed her one more time and whispered "I love you." and closed his eyes and fell asleep... The Snow Globe ---------- Her daughter gave up ringing the doorbell and used her key. Opening the door, she called, "Mom? I know you said not to worry, but I just thought..." She stopped dead as she entered the living room. The fire had burned out, the burgundy throw was on the floor by the chaise, the candles had guttered out in their own wax, and there on the hearth was a puddle of water and broken glass...and something else. She crossed to the hearth and knelt, recognizing the remains of the snow globe her mother had bought when they visited the antique store. She stood up quickly and went from room to room, searching, her heart pounding. Her mother was no where in the house. Gathering a whisk broom, dust pan, and small trash can, she returned to the living room to clean up the remains of the snow globe. Once more she stopped dead, dropping everything on the floor. The snow globe was no longer broken, but was sitting intact on the small table by the chaise. Slowly, as if in a dream, she crossed to it. Sitting on the edge of the chaise, she picked it up. Gone was the castle inside, replaced by the scene of a roaring fire, beside which was a massive Christmas tree. Next to the tree, in front of a large window, stood a Man and woman. Each wore a robe and slippers, hers burgundy, His black. Their arms were around each other and they smiled, His dark head tilted to look down on her red- headed one. Around her neck the woman wore a choker of gold with a red heart dangling from the center. Suddenly, the daughter smiled, a feeling of happiness coming over her. She had the overwhelming feeling that her mother was safe and content. After all, hadn't she been the one to insist that the snow globe was magic? Carefully, she replaced the globe on the small table. She folded the throw and laid it across the chaise. Turning out the lights of the Christmas tree, she left the room. She put the broom, dust pan and waste basket away, and, locking the door behind her, she left the house, stepping out into the snowy Christmas morning with a smile on her face and tears of joy on her cheeks.