Gabriella

When I first saw him, his plastic head was cocked sideways as if saying “Will you be the one to take me home? Will you be the one to love me?” I passed by him without a second thought. I was looking for something to give to my little sister for her birthday. He did not fit the profile of a good gift for a six year old. He seemed more likely to give her nightmares then to protect her from them. I scanned the shelves and walked from aisle to aisle paying close attention to all the toys. I checked my real leather wallet my dad had given me for my birthday to see how much money I had. I was surprised to find one crisp five dollar bill, which seemed like a fortune. I ran to the life-sized fluffy pink bunny resting in a wooden rocking chair. I thought for sure I had enough money to buy it, but when I checked the price tag my heart sank. Who would pay $25 for this? Every teddy bear and plastic doll seemed to be more than $5. I hung my head as I headed towards the door. Then I saw him again. This time his plastic head was cocked sideways as if saying “Why are you leaving? Please take me home with you.” His painted on smile was inviting, as if he knew I needed a gift for my sister and was showing he would be the perfect choice. I could tell there was something special about him. I didn’t know exactly what, but there was something. As I reached for the white price tag to see if maybe I had enough money, I swear his smile grew and his eyes and mine shined when it said five dollars. I picked him up and held him like a mother holds her new child; cautious yet firm. I walked to the register and tentatively handed him over. The old lady looked at him intently and then back at me. She nodded at him before asking whether I wanted him in a bag or if I would like to carry him home. “Carry him, please.” I said a little louder than I had hoped. She ginned as she gave him to me. I carefully placed him in the front basket of my red sting ray bicycle. I was peddling slower than usually to make sure he didn’t fall out, but fast enough to get home before my sister came back from her dance lesson. Before I cut into the road I hit a bump. He tumbled to the ground, and as I stopped to pick him up a car zoomed through the stop sign right where I would have been. His face was cracked, but his smile was still big. His plastic head was cocked sideways as if saying “Are you ok? I know I am.”