Disclaimer:  The story of "Christy," by Catherine Marshall, is owned by the 
Marshall and LeSourd families.   This is just for fun.

Title: A  MIRROR FICTION      "Sun Kisses"
Autjhor: Sherry


Ruby Mae Morrison examined her face in the mirror.   She touched her 
fingertip to  her cheek, rubbing her freckled skin gently.  Christy, dressed 
in a long white wedding dress, came to stand behind her student.

"Nothin' holps, Miz Christy.  Ah tried lemons, ah tried soap an' nothin' 
holps git rid of them freckles."   the redheaded teenager  complained.

"Your freckles are so pretty, Ruby Mae."  Christy answered.  "They give your 
face character."

"Ah don't  want character, Miz Christy.  Ah jest want nice clean skin lak 
yours." Ruby Mae said.

Christy thought for a moment.  She wanted... she needed to say something to 
make Ruby Mae feel better.  After all, as Miss Alice said,  Ruby Mae was her 
very own "bundle."   Christy smiled at the Quaker expression.  Right now Ruby 
Mae was a bundle of uncertainties and insecurities.  

"An' no boy'll ever look et me, Miz Christy. "  Ruby Mae whined.  "Not with 
all them freckles."

"Lots of people have freckles, Ruby Mae.  The sun kisses your face and  it 
leaves a sweet freckle in its place."  Christy said softly.  She took a 
hairbrush and started brushing Ruby Mae's hair.

"Ah lak that.  The sun kisses my face and leaves a freckle in its place.  Ah 
lak things that rhyme."  Ruby Mae said.   "Kin ya git the knots outa ma hair?"

Christy continued to brush Ruby Mae's hair.   Finally,  all the knots were 
brushed out and Christy started making braids.   Mrs. Huddleston walked into 
the room.    She touched Christy's shoulder gently.  Then she put the bag she 
was carrying on the bed.

"Look at my beautiful daughter."  the proud mama said softly.  "And look at 
Ruby Mae Morrison!"   Mrs. Huddleston took the bag and she handed it to Ruby 
Mae.

"Fer me?"  Ruby Mae asked.

"Yes, dear, for you.   Open the bag."  Mrs. Huddleston ordered in a gentle 
voice.

Ruby Mae opened the bag, reached in and brought out two mint green hair 
ribbons.

"New hair ribbons!"  Ruby Mae exclaimed.  "Thanks, Mrs. Huddleston."

"Keep still, Ruby Mae."   Christy chided the fidgety teenager.  

A few minutes later,  Ruby Mae's hair was as perfect as it would ever be.  
Mrs. Huddleston left the room.   

"Miz Christy, jest think,  in a few hours you and the doc'll be married.  Do 
ya think you'll have a baby someday soon?"  Ruby Mae asked.

Christy blushed.   Neil often told  her that he couldn't wait to be a proud 
papa.

"I hope G-d will give Neil and me babies, Ruby Mae."  Christy answered.  "It 
would be nice to  have a little redheaded, freckle faced little girl someday. 
 Neil has reddish hair and some freckles... it could happen."

Ruby Mae looked in the mirror again.   She smiled back at the girl she saw 
there.   Then she turned and gave Christy a big hug.

"Thanks, Miz Christy.  Ah think ah lak ma sun kisses.  Ah think ah'll keep 
'em." Ruby Mae said, grinning at the beaming bride.  

Mrs. Huddleston stuck her head in the door.

"There's a happy, handsome doctor waiting for you, Christy."   Julia teased 
gently.  " He wants to be your husband.  Time to go to the church."

Awhile later, Christy and Neil stood before the altar.   Christy saw that 
Neil's hands were shaking.  She took his  hand,  looked at  his hand in hers, 
and smiled at the freckles she never noticed  before this moment. 



by Sherry,  Former Freckle Queen of the Third Grade