Chapter #5When Heidi Met Hilda by: shadow   You were lying on the couch texting your best friend Tom about next week's big race while planning your day with your girlfriend Laura tomorrow. Just as you were imagining how to get Laura to show you her breasts, a small voice ripped you from your thoughts.
“Mark?” Your sister Heidi whispered.
You sighed deeply in annoyance, “What do you want, Squirt?”
“I was thinking of having a tea party,” The second grader explained. “Do you wanna come?”
“I’d rather eat your crayons,” You growled before shooing her away. “Go play with your baby toys.”
“They’re not baby toys!” Heidi blushed. “Barbies are for big girls like me!”
“Whatever,” You waved her away again.
“Heidi!” Your mom called as she came in from outside with the usual mail and a large box. “You got a package.”
“Ohhh,” The little girl exclaimed in excitement as she ran to her mother. “Whose it from, Mommy?” Heidi inquired as she took the box into her arms (which wasn’t an easy task as the package was half her size).
“The address says it’s from Aunt Lenora,” Mom explained.
“What a shock!” You bellowed.
“That’s enough, Mark,” Your mother scolded. “You know Lenora has no children, so she spoils you kids.”
“She spoils one of us!” You argued remembering the Barbie Dream House Heidi had received last Christmas compared to your gift of socks.
“Well,” Mom explained, “She did always want a little girl, and maybe if you were a little nicer to her, she’d have a higher opinion of her nephew.”
“Yeah, right,” You retort.
Your mother sighs but puts on a smile for her daughter. “What did Auntie Lenora send you, Sweetie?”
“Dunno,” Heidi replied as she finally got the last tape off the box, revealing another inside wrapped in wax strings with a letter. Your sister grabbed the envelope and carefully opened the message.
“Hello, Heidi, how’s my favorite niece? Wow,” Heidi beamed. “She says I’m her favorite niece.”
“Honey,” Mom chuckled, “You’re her only niece.”
“And as close to a kid as she’s ever gonna get!” You interjected.
“Mark!” Your mother scolded. “That’s enough. I’m sure Lenora will find Mr. Right someday.”
“Then why,” You thought to yourself. “Did you tell Dad she couldn’t keep a man around if she had a rope.”
“Can I,” Heidi inquired. “Keep reading?”
“Of course, Dear,” Mom encouraged, “We’re sorry we interrupted.”
“I thought you might like a new friend,” The child read. “This is Helping Hilda, and she’s here to help bring your desires to life. Hilda might look a little dis..dis..di..” Heidi held out her letter and pointed to a word.
Your mother leaned over and looked at the message, “Disheveled, Heidi; it means dirty or messy.”
“Right,” Your sister nodded. “Hilda might look a little disheveled,” Heidi smiled at using the big word. Mom gave her daughter a thumbs up, and the second grader continued. “Hilda might look a little disheveled at first, but I promise she'll look better if you show her love and care. I know you’ll come to care for her like a sister; she might help solve some of your problems. Hugs and kisses, Aunt Lenora.”
“Hmm…” Your mother looked at the shoebox-sized crate among the packing peanuts in the parcel, “It must be a doll.”
“Ohhh,” The second grader exclaimed in excitement as she grabbed the box.
“That packaging looks vintage,” Mom noted.
“She probably bought it at a yard sale,” You jeered.
“Mark!” Your mother scolded. “Go ahead, Dear.” Heidi immediately went to work on the wax strings around the box. The child’s smile fell slightly when she opened the parcel. “Oh, my,” Mom exclaimed.
The doll was old, naked, and dirty, with several clumps missing from her curly blonde hair. “Wow,” You laughed, looking at the creepy toy that seemed to be an old Shirley Temple marionette. “Forget the yard sale; it looks like she dug that thing out of a dumpster!”
“Mark!” Your mother repeated.
“Umm,” Heidi examined the doll nervously before spotting a button on the doll’s back. Heidi gave the button a push. The sound of rusty gears coming to life filled the air, and the toy’s joints let out a small layer of brown dust. Surprisingly, Hilda could stand on her own and began to slowly curtesy for her new owner. “Hellllo, Heidi….” The doll said in voice that sounded like an old record player moving through several pitches. “Myyyyy nnnnname issss Hilda and IIIIII’m sssssso happy to mmmmeet yyyyou!”
“It figures,” You laugh, “That that’s the only friend you could make!”
“Mark!” Mom shouted, “I’m warning you!” After barking at you, your mother returned to her daughter. “Honey, maybe this doll is a little too old for you to play with,” Mom reached out to grab the toy. “Maybe we could find her a nice spot in the attic and…”
“No!” Heidi exclaimed as she pulled Hilda into a protective hug. “Hilda’s my present!” The little girl moved some of the doll’s hair off her plastic face with her now dirt-covered hands. “Auntie Lenora said all Hilda needs is love; I’m gonna take care of her.”
Does your mother let Heidi keep her new doll?
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