Over the next few weeks, we watch Aleesha carry bags filled with gifts into her room. She’s preparing to go to her new house, to return to the mother she’s spent the last two years pining for.
And everyone, including me, is jealous as hell.
But because I’m one of the older girls, it falls to me to help Aleesha pack. “You must be really excited,” I say, removing the price tags from her new dresses and placing them neatly into her new suitcase.
Aleesha nods but says nothing. Since her mother arrived, she’s been less talkative. Poor thing must be overwhelmed. I stop packing and sit down, pat the bed next to me. The young girl takes a seat but does not make eye contact.
“You leave tomorrow…it must feel unreal.”
“Yup,” she says, swinging her legs.
I take her hand.
“It’s OK to be scared, you know?”
Aleesha looks at me. Tears shine in her eyes as she speaks.
“It’s a dream come true.”
I rub her small hand in both of mine.
“That’s the thing about dreams. It can be scary when they come true.” This comment earns me a smile before the little girl jumps up and hugs me. Later, when we’re packing the last of her stuff, a large pizza is delivered for Aleesha, another gift from her mom. We sit on the floor, enjoying the stringy cheese and licking the grease from our fingers. I start to smile: how did this little obnoxious creature creep into my heart a day before she leaves forever?
***
As Aleesha says goodbye to me, she hugs me tightly and tells me there’s a gift under my bed that I should open as soon as possible.
I reach under my bed. I see that Aleesha’s gift is in a small box, about the size a ring would fit in. There’s a metallic tinkle when I shake it. I lift the lid.
It’s the silver locket. I don’t think she’s ever taken it off in the time I have known her. I lift it out, let it rest in my hands. It’s beautiful, and old, must have cost a small fortune. I’m touched that she’d gift it to me and I deeply regret spending so much time actively avoiding her.
I unclip the clasp and open it.
There are two colour photos inside the locket. One of her mother and then one of her mother holding a baby, presumably little Aleesha. It takes a few seconds before I see it. The woman in the photo is not the one Aleesha left with.
Tell us: What did you think of the story?
