Joelle’s Doll

With her bestest friend…

She had allergies…the kind that got so bad; she broke out in bruises and bumps, rashes and boils whenever she scratched.

After several tests, the medical professionals said Alena, soft and cuddly; her best(est) friend and bedtime companion had to go. Alena was made from material that her body couldn’t handle…

Hot and painful tears streamed down her rash filled face…”no wanna throw away” she begged as her mom tried to explain to her what the doctor was saying…2 year old Joelle didn’t get it. This was her best friend and baby…her very own cabbage patch doll given to her by her aunt T…she screamed in horror as mom tried to take the doll away.

Mom thought it was best to get rid of it as soon as possible, she had the rip the band aid off quick and fast mentality.

Sara watched in horror as this tiny angel continued to cry…she understood her mom’s sentiments, yet she felt the little girl’s pain as memories flooded her own mind.

Sara remembered her little cabbage patch doll, Gwendolyn Elizabeth and how daddy had forgotten her on a tourist bus on the lovely streets of Brussels…Sara went to bed that night and had her first nightmare…Gwenny as she called her doll was crying for her and she couldn’t do anything about it…Sara hoped Joelle wouldn’t have nightmares like her….

She wanted to hug 2 year old Joelle as she walked out of the medical offices of the Sherman Oaks Hospital crying as her mother tried to console her. Joelle was crying for Alena to come back…

* I was looking through my table last night and discovered notes scribbled on all sorts of paper…I found a poem I had written for one of the girls when her doctor said she had to let her soft dolls go… I decided to make the poem into this short story.

Ever so often she sees a picture of the dolls and asks “where baby go” “mommy took baby away” Those dolls were her first, even though one belonged to her twin sister…she felt entitled to them both.  The second picture was taken minutes before her dad forgot the doll on the bus…it was a rough night.

She recently got a new doll and yesterday, she held her new doll and said “you are my best friend, I keep you well ok…” Here’s hoping the allergies stay off, so she can keep her new baby well*

Better Days…Ahead

One by one we file in,
Unrehearsed just usual

“What’s for dinner, mama?” we asked
“Pounded cassava and okra” she responded

She hesitates…
Then continues
“It’s without meat though…”

She awaits for our response
A look of disgust

She is waiting….

The shock all but stops
It stops in our hearts
We never allow it to make it
To our faces

Never!!!

“At least there’s dinner tonight” I responded
Everyone echoed the same view
It was the truth…at least there was dinner
With or without meat

Mama turned away as tears filled her eyes
The tears she had managed to hide for so long
Poured down her face….
Her weak and now aging face

Time had dealt with mama
She was now tired and it showed…

We consoled her
Tried to assure and reassure her
That better days were coming
All she had to do was hold on
Better days were ahead…

The truth was we weren’t sure anymore
We knew they were coming
But we weren’t sure when…
Still mama needed our assurance

The better days truly came
Despite our doubts
And though it took a while
They came…

They are still here now
But not her…
No but rest assured mama is gone to glory