Snow Angel

By Patricia Gale McKee Hamilton

My book, The Snow Angel, is a cute little story about a small family. A story about a young girl who got left at an orphanage, who had a really hard time trying to open up to others, to make friends with the other children. She has hoped for the right one to call her own, but after so long and so many falls, it was after so many months later that she fought the bitter cold. As you will see more into my story, she spent several days outside in the freezing temp and days outside on her own as she went searching for the right family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 14, 2022
• ISBN: 9781662470356

Book preview

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Snow Angel

Patricia Gale McKee Hamilton

Copyright © 2022 Patricia Gale McKee Hamilton

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING, INC.

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2022

ISBN 978-1-6624-7034-9 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-6624-7035-6 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

About the Author

Dedication

I would like to dedicate this book in memory of my husband, Ray Hamilton. We both were born and raised in Mississippi. He was born on November 3, 1958. He was always a hard worker, loved to help others out if he could. You could always find him in his tow truck. He left us to go up to the big house on April 25, 2015. I know to this day that he is watching over me and all his kids and grandchildren. There’s not a day that goes by that we don’t wish he was still here.

Rosa Fletcher, at age twenty-nine, had lived a hard and difficult life, but she made it a happy life for her daughter, Angelica. Rosa’s parents had both passed away when she was young and never got the chance to meet their granddaughter. Angelica’s father left and didn’t want anything to do with Angelica or Rosa. When he learned of Rosa’s illness, he still didn’t want anything to do with his daughter. For three very short but very happy years, Rosa made sure that her daughter’s memories of her would be happy memories. Their time together was short but happy. Rosa did not let her illness stop her from making her daughter happy. Rosa had incurable cancer. Her days were filled with pain and weakness, but she held on to life as long as she could for her daughter. Rosa’s body continued to get weaker and weaker until Rosa sadly realized that she must tell her beautiful daughter goodbye and give her daughter away to strangers that Rosa had already been in contact with a year or so before. So on Christmas morning, Rosa sat down in her ratty old chair in her small apartment and pulled her daughter up onto her lap and hugged her tight.

Merry Christmas, Mama, Angelica said happily as she hugged and kissed her mother in return.

Merry Christmas, Angelica, my little snow angel, Rosa answered, smiling happily at her daughter.

Can we make snow angels today, Mama? Angelica asked happily, looking wonderingly at the one small gift wrapped in a paper sack and laying on top of the small table beside the old chair.

I think we just might do that today, but first I think you should see what is in this bag. Today is Christmas and then I must talk to you about something, Rosa said as she handed the bag to Angelica.

It took Angelica no time at all to pull the surprise out of the paper sack.

Oh, thank you, Mama. It’s so pretty. I like it very, very much," Angelica said. Her eyes twinkled bright with happiness as she pulled a small brown teddy bear out of the paper sack and hugged it tight.

I’m so happy you like it, Angelica. Can you find the secret pocket and see what is inside? Rosa said tenderly and patted the teddy bear’s tummy. Angelica found a zipper on the bear’s tummy and quickly unzipped the secret pocket. Rosa watched quietly as Angelica pulled out several small pictures of herself and her mother and a small locket that also contained their picture.

It’s so pretty, Mama. Thank you, Mama. I will keep your picture with me all the time, Angelica said happily as she hugged and kissed her mother again.

Mama is very glad you like them, Angelica. We must get dressed now. We have somewhere we must go to today. You must wear your best clothes today too, and Mama will fix your hair for you, Rosa said tenderly as she returned the pictures to the bear’s secret pocket and slipped the locket on a chain around Angelica’s neck.

Where are we going, Mama? Are we going to make snow angels now? Angelica asked happily.

It’s very cold outside today. You will need your white leotards too, Rosa answered as she slid Angelica out of her lap and got busy getting Angelica’s things together. Rosa quickly dressed Angelica in a blue cotton dress with white ribbons and bows. A pair of white leotards with a pair of brown penny loafers, which each contained a bright new shiny penny. Rosa brushed Angelica’s long brown hair, making it shine, then Rosa slipped Angelica’s arms into a blue hooded coat and smiled happily at her pretty daughter. It took Rosa less time to dress herself. Her wardrobe consisted of an old thin cotton dress that was a faded brown, an old black sweater that had lost all its buttons, and a pair of black slippers that had lost their shine. Rosa brushed her long thin brown hair and covered her hair with an thin old black scarf.

You look pretty, Mama, Angelica said, smiling happily at her mother.

Thank you, Angelica. It’s time to tell our little home goodbye, Rosa said as she handed the teddy bear to Angelica.

Goodbye, little home. Are we not coming back, Mama? Angelica asked wonderingly as she slid her little hand inside Rosa’s thin hand and walked out the door of their small apartment and outside into the cold world.

The time has come, Angelica. Mama must go now, and you must be brave for Mama. Do you remember what we talked about, Angelica? Rosa said tenderly as she slowly walked her daughter down the snow-covered sidewalk.

Yes, Mama. About you going to heaven. Are you going there today, Mama? Angelica asked solemnly.

Soon, Angelica. Mama will have to go soon, but remember we will see each other again one day in heaven, Rosa said tenderly.

I remember, Mama, and I will be brave for you. I will miss you, Mama, Angelica said sadly, looking up at her mother.

I will miss you too, my little Angelica. Mama will miss you so very much, Rosa said huskily, looking down at Angelica’s little sad face.

Rosa and Angelica walked slowly and quietly down the long empty sidewalk. The streets were empty too. After all, it was Christmas Day, and everyone was at their homes, having Christmas with their families. There was no one around to see a lonely, dying woman walking her beautiful little girl to a strange home where she was going to give her precious daughter away to strangers. After several long quiet miles, Rosa finally came to a stop and looked up at a big two-story building. Rosa took in a deep breath, tightened her hold on Angelica’s little hand, and led her up to the front door. Rosa could hear several children’s voices inside singing and laughing loudly as she knocked on the door. Rosa knocked on the door one more time and waited for someone to answer the door, but the children inside were so noisy that no one could hear her knocking on the door. Rosa tried the doorknob and found that the door was unlocked, so she opened the door and slowly led Angelica inside.

Whoever just opened that door is about to get their bottom spanked, a man’s voice called loudly as the front door closed loudly behind Rosa and Angelica. Rosa jumped in fright and grabbed the door handle, ready to flee, but she froze in her tracks, and Angelica hid behind her when a tall muscular man appeared in the hall right in front of them.

Oh, hello, the man said, smiling tenderly at them.

I did knock, Rosa said shakily as her hand trembled against the doorknob.

Yes, I’m sure you did, and I did not hear you because my children are using their outside voices in the house. Please come into the office. It is warm in there and quieter too, the man said as he motioned toward a door that he had come through.

Thank you, sir. The children sound happy, Rosa said as she turned the doorknob loose and led Angelica into a small cozy office.

Yes, the children are very happy today. After all, today is Christmas, and the children have lots more toys to fight over. I’m David White. How can I help you and this pretty young lady? the man asked as he followed them into the office.

I’m Rosa Fletcher, and this is my daughter, Angelica. I talked with you about my daughter a while ago, Rosa said tenderly as she sat down on the edge of a big chair and pulled Angelica close.

Fletcher. Rosa Fletcher. I remember hearing the name, and your daughter Angelica. A very pretty name for a very pretty young lady. How old are you, Angelica, five? David asked as he walked over to the desk and began searching through a stack of papers.

No, sir. I’m only three, Angelica answered proudly as she hugged her teddy bear tight.

Only three? David asked in disbelief.

Angelica is tall for her age. She just turned three this past November. She has always been taller than her age group, Rosa explained, watching David as he picked up the phone receiver and pushed a button on the base.

Ms. Green, come to the front office, please. Ms. Green, come to the front office, David said into the phone receiver, then he hung the phone receiver back up and looked at Rosa and Angelica as they sat quietly.

Are you going to spank my mama for opening the door? Angelica asked wonderingly, looking up at David. Rosa’s face turned red as David smiled at her.

Do you think I should spank your mama? David asked tenderly.

No, sir. My mama is not a bad girl. My mama is good to me, Angelica said firmly and stomped her foot to emphasize her point.

Angelica, Rosa said warningly and swatted Angelica on her bottom.

I will forgive your mama this time. I see she is a very good mama, David said tenderly, smiling at Angelica as he winked at Rosa.

Did you call me, Mr. White? Oh, hello. I’m Ms. Mary Green. Merry Christmas, a woman dressed in a pretty green Christmas dress said as she entered the office.

Merry Christmas, Rosa answered, smiling at Ms. Green as Angelica stared at the woman’s dress.

Ms. Green, this is Rosa and Angelica Fletcher. I remember discussing their case with you one day, but I can’t find their file, David said as he waved at the stack of papers on the desk.

Angelica Fletcher. That was over a year ago. I thought Angelica was two years old, Ms. Green said as she walked over to the filing cabinet and pulled open one of the drawers.

Angelica is a tall three-year-old now. Right, Angelica? David said, smiling at Angelica.

Yes, sir. I like your dress. It looks like a Christmas tree, Angelica answered, smiling at Ms. Green.

Why, thank you, Angelica. My dress is made to look like a Christmas tree. I like your dress too, Ms. Green said as she turned around to face them, holding a thin folder in her hand.

Thank you, Ms. Green, Angelica answered happily.

Here is the file, Mr. David White. Alicia told me to tell you that if you mix up my files again that you will be the one to straighten them up this time, not she or me, Ms. Green said firmly as she handed the file over to David.

If you had a filing system that wasn’t complicated, then I wouldn’t mix it up, David answered as he took the file from Ms. Green.

It’s only you who makes my filing complicated. Would you like to see a real Christmas tree? Ms. Green asked, smiling down at Angelica.

A real Christmas tree? Can I, Mama? Angelica asked, overjoyed.

I guess so, Angelica, Rosa answered as she stood up to go with Angelica.

I need Mama to sign some papers while you look at the tree with Ms. Green, David said tenderly as he halted Rosa in her tracks.

Okay. I’ll be right back, Mama, Angelica answered happily, then clutching her teddy bear, she followed Ms. Green out of the office and down a long hall, past several doors, and stepped through another door into a large room filled with girls and boys playing with their Christmas gifts under the biggest Christmas tree Angelica had ever seen. That was the last Angelica had seen of her mother. Angelica didn’t know it, but she had been separated from her mama, and Angelica did not see her mama sign the papers, giving her up for adoption, or see her run from the two-story building in tears.

When David joined the women and the children in the large room with the big Christmas tree, he was preparing himself to hold and console an upset child when he told her that her mother was gone and would never be back, but when David sat down in his big chair and pulled Angelica up onto his lap, he was not prepared for her reply.

Angelica dear, I must tell you something now about your mama, David began tenderly as he searched his mind for the correct words.

Oh, I know, Mr. White. Mama is very sick, and now she’s going to heaven. Mama told me that she would see me again one day in heaven, Angelica answered happily, smiling up at David.

Did your mama tell you about heaven? David asked tenderly as some of the children began to gather around them quietly to listen to Angelica’s story.

Oh yes. Mama said that heaven is a very beautiful place. Mama told me when she gets to heaven that she won’t be sick anymore. Mama said no one is sick in heaven. Everybody is healthy and happy, Angelica explained to them.

Your mommy went to heaven? My mommy went there too, one girl told Angelica.

My mommy and my daddy went to heaven, a second girl told Angelica.

My mom said that my daddy is the devil and he went to— a boy was saying but was cut short.

Joseph, don’t say that word, young man, David said firmly.

That’s what my mom says, Joseph answered.

It’s not a good thing to repeat what your mother says, Joseph, David said firmly, looking sternly at Joseph.

Especially what your mother says, Joseph. Do I need to remind you of the bad words your mother says? a woman who came over and sat down on the arm of David’s chair said to Joseph.

No, ma’am. I remember them, Ms. White. I’m sorry I almost said a bad word, and I promise it won’t happen again, Joseph promised David’s wife, Alicia.

I’m going to make sure you remember that promise, Joseph. I’m running low on bar soap, Alicia said firmly as Joseph made a face.

Even if we run out of soap, I still have my paddle, David said firmly, looking at Joseph, and Joseph quickly shook his head no.

Maybe our mommies will meet each other in heaven, a third girl told Angelica.

"Yes.