The Legend of the Christmas Stone

By Greg Jackson

Since her life turned completely upside down, Katie Grey definitely wasn't in the mood for celebrating Christmas. No one around town was, by the looks of it. Between living with a new family in a new town and having to exist with her annoying new brother, Ethan, all Katie wanted was for her life to return to normal. But on one snowy day, Ethan takes pity on her and lets her tag along with him when he goes sledding. When they find Elwin the North Pole Elf rummaging through the frozen woods in search of the lost Christmas Stone, life gets a lot stranger for Katie and Ethan. Soon, they both find themselves on a quest to return the lost Christmas Stone, and the very Christmas spirit that lies within it, back to where it belongs!

Follow the adventure of Katie and Ethan as they race against time to save Christmas in this heartwarming story by the author of The Legend of Pumpkin Boy!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Greg Jackson
• Release date: Mar 6, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311477767

Greg Jackson

Greg Jackson is author of Prodigals: Stories, for which he received the National Book Foundation's 5 Under 35 award and the Bard Fiction Prize. In 2017, he was named one of Granta's Best Young American Novelists. His fiction and essays have appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Granta, Tin House, Vice, Conjunctions, Virginia Quarterly Review, the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Review of Books, and The Guardian, among other places.

Book preview

The Legend of the Christmas Stone

Copyright © 2014 Greg Jackson

All rights reserved.

Smashwords Edition

Cover Designed by Greg Jackson

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1. School

2. An Awkward Dinner

3. Snow Day

4. Elwin the Elf

5. Arriving at the Mall

6. The Hunt for the Curled Shoes

7. The Mystery Box

8. Into the Woods

9. A Night of Decorations

10. Christmas Eve

11. The North Pole

12. The Chosen Reindeer

13. The Nutcracker Brigade

14. Into the Factory

15. The Room of the Seers

16. Jack Frost

17. Revelations

18. Finding the Vault

19. Home

20. Christmas Morning

CHAPTER ONE

SCHOOL

It was the longest day of Katie Grey's life. Not only was the new school completely boring since she started, the other kids stared at her like she didn't belong here. It was like that since the first day she stepped foot through the front door. They didn't want her here, she didn't want to be here but unfortunately, she was a kid and didn't have a choice.

Not a moment went by that the thoughts of her parents flew through her mind as her teacher babbled on about math, which she didn't understand. She was sent to the office twice for not listening or paying attention and every time she was sent there, there was a call home and then a trip back to class. Every administrative adult accepted what she was going through so they cut her some slack, but by the time it got down to the teachers, they weren't as understanding.

She idly looked at the kid in front of her and the rat's nest of hair that he wore. She thought his name was Dennis but she couldn't be sure. He was quiet and weird and that alone helped her keep her eyes everywhere but up front.

The clocked ticked by so slowly that it was like it was making a joke at her expense. Every little minute ticked by loudly as her teacher's voice groaned into the classroom. Her pencil was tapping on her desk like she was performing a small drum solo and she wasn't the only one.

It was the second to last day before Christmas break and everyone was getting antsy, except the teachers. No one was paying attention, which finally gave Katie a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fly under the radar. Everyone's pencil tapped on the desks and notes were flying around to everyone else so quickly that it seemed like Katie was sitting on a runway for a paper airport.

Okay, class. Mr. Marsh said. I expect that you will have your science assignments done by tomorrow so they could be graded before the break.

No one was listening.

Class! Marsh yelled loud enough that Katie swore that Dennis' hair flew in the wind. Do I have your attention?! Everyone finally fell silent. Christmas project due in the morning!

By the time the Mr. Marsh barked, the bell rang and everything he said went through everyone's ears and turned into the shuffle of bags, papers and books. The desks scraped the floor and the footsteps were like a stampede of buffalo heading into the hall.

Katie slowly grabbed her bag, slung it on her shoulder and wandered out slowly.

Katie? Mr. Marsh asked. She turned around and felt like she was in trouble. What's with the look?

I don't know. Katie said. Usually when a teacher stops you, you're in trouble.

Mr. Marsh laughed. You're not. I was just wondering how you're getting along with your new family.

They're alright. She responded with a shrug.

I can't help but notice that you fade off occasionally during class.

Sorry. She said.

I get it. Mr. Marsh stated. You've been through a lot and I'm not going to pretend I know what it's like going through it. But if you need extra time for your science project, you just let me know and the time is yours.

Thanks. She said numbly.

And you know that you can always talk to a guidance counselor if you need to.

I know. She said.

And your new brother?

Katie's face contorted into a weird, scrunched thing. Ethan's not my brother and he's totally gross. He farts all the time, like everywhere. I'm trying to get Mr. and Mrs. Baker to tape off his room.

Mr. and Mrs. Baker? He asked with a reserved smile.

Yeah. She said. The people I live with.

Isn't that a little on the formal side?

They're not my parents and it would be a lot weirder if I called them by their first names.

Yes, it would. He smiled. And as far as your brother...Ethan is concerned, I just have to say that I'm kind of thankful he's in another class, considering his habit. He's a nice kid, but...

Yeah, you lucked out. He smells. She smiled. Is that it? I have to get home.

Yeah, that's it. He said. But if you need anything, do me a favor and tell me, huh?

You got it, teach. She said. I'll have the project done by tomorrow.

Katie walked through the halls and weaved in and out of the groups and pairings of kids, all of which acted like she was going to cast some sort of spell on them. Ethan was even there, talking to his stupid friends and refusing to act like she even existed.

Outside, the snow was falling lightly on the powder that was already caked on the ground. Katie flipped her scarf over her neck and trundled through the snow to go home.

Alone.

Her hip stung from pushing the sticking front door open and it hurt even more when she stretched up to the top cupboard over the stove to get the packet of hot chocolate from the box. She inspected the pack to make sure that it came with the little marshmallows. It took her about two seconds to rip the tab off with her teeth. She threw it in her favorite mug, filled it with water, threw it in the microwave and while it was being beamed to heat with microwaves, Ethan popped up behind her.

Is there any more? He asked.

I think this is the last one. She responded.

What if I wanted some hot chocolate?

You never want it. She said. I'm the only one who ever drinks it.

Are not.

Katie rolled her eyes and couldn't care less if Ethan saw it. He slugged her in the arm, nearly knocking her over.

Hey! She slugged him back. Why are you so mean?

Because you're a girl and you're gross. He smiled. And you make a mess in the bathroom.

Whatever. She rolled her eyes again and got her mug out of the microwave before it started to beep. I'm going to do my project.

Can you help me with mine? He asked.

No. She said. It's not my fault that you don't pay attention in class.

You know what else isn't your fault? He asked as he playfully lifted his leg.

Don't! She yelled and laughed. I have hot chocolate and I don't want it tasting gross!

Too late. He laughed.

It took a long second for the smell to hit Katie but when it did, it was like being hit with a stinky hammer. Her nose crinkled and her eyes watered. She didn't stay in the kitchen long. Ethan's laugh faded into the background as she ran as fast as she could up the steps, balancing her mug like a ballerina.

She closed her door, climbed on her bed and cradled her hot chocolate between her cold hands. She stared out the window and watched all the kids she didn't know walking down the block. They laughed at jokes she wasn't in on and played with each other in a way that Katie knew would never happen for her.

She reached over, grabbed her photo album and flipped it to her favorite picture. It was taken last year, near the time that she lost them. Her mother and her father were posed with her for Christmas and both of them were laughing and pretending to bite her.

Katie looked at her smile in the picture. It was a smile that she hasn't had since they left. She was incredibly happy in that picture.

It was a Christmas that would never, ever be the same again.

Katie sipped her hot chocolate and stared into the photograph as the night, and her project slipped by in the blink of an eye.

I love you guys. She said. I miss you.

CHAPTER TWO

AN AWKWARD DINNER

Katie and Ethan made their way through their cake like there was no tomorrow. It was double chocolate and fresh from the bakery up on the Boulevard. Katie thought that the cake was something bought out of pity for her but right now she couldn't care less. The cake was awesome.

Okay. Mr. Baker said while he wiped his mouth. We still on for tomorrow night?

Sure. Ethan said.

You know we are. Ms. Baker said. We go to get our tree...

Which would have already been up if you weren't here. Ethan pointed out.

Whatever. Katie said. Not my choice.

Ethan! Ms. Baker snapped. Apologize to Katie. Right now!

Sorry. Ethan grumbled through his cake.

Mrs. Baker continued as she stared at Katie, who was presently shoveling more cake in her mouth. We thought that since Katie is now part of our family, we need to get a tree that's all of ours.

I know! Ethan said.

It's okay, Mrs. Baker. Katie said. You can put up your old tree. We had our own tree and I know how it is. That's Ethan's tree.

Mrs. Baker put her hand on top of Katie's. And your parents wanted us to take care of you and to do that, you need to know that you're part of our family. And what a better way to do it than with Christmas?

You got that right. Mr. Baker said. You're one of us, kiddo. You get a fair say and a fair choice. We make decisions as a family. We plan on incorporating some of the ways your parents used to share Christmas with you too. They were amazing friends to us and they were like family...and we owe them that.

I guess. Katie said. But I don't want to take anything away from Ethan.

That's so sweet. Mrs. Baker said. But Ethan will have to adapt.

Says you. Ethan moaned quietly.

Alright, mister. Mr. Baker said. You just got yourself garbage duty.

And then we see Santa and maybe go to a movie? Mrs. Baker continued. How's that sound?

Aren't we a little old to see Santa? Katie asked.

That's what I said! Ethan added.

Wow, we agree on something. Katie tossed Ethan a sarcastic smile.

First of all, you're not in High School yet. Mrs. Baker said. I think that's the official cut-off.

You're making that up. Katie said before she crammed another piece of cake in her mouth.

Mrs. Baker scoffed. No, I'm not. Once you're in High School, all bets are off. But now? You still have time and I fully plan on getting some nice photos of you two. It's bad enough that they cancelled the giant tree on the square up on the Boulevard.

Great. Ethan rolled his eyes.

Whatever. Katie rolled her eyes too. Why'd they cancel the big tree? Isn't that a thing around here? My parents used to talk about how our town was jealous of it.

Mr. Baker swallowed more cake. "No volunteers and the town didn't think that they needed to spend the money on something if there's no one that cares enough to help