A Doll Called Jennifer
Lily's book collection paled in comparison to her doll collection. When she got home from school, she spent nearly an hour introducing Sun Mei to her dolls, who varied in hair color, eye color and ethnicity.
However, Lily's favorite doll was a black-haired beauty with almond-shaped eyes in a long red dress. Lily held the doll with reverence as she showed it to Sun Mei.
"This is Jennifer," she said. "She is a model. My daddy brought her back when he went to China. She was my gift."
"What a lovely gift," Sun Mei said politely. "Why did you call her Jennifer?"
Lily looked around her room distractedly before she answered quietly, "Because of my mommy. Her name is also Jennifer, but everyone calls her Jenny."
"Oh…" Sun Mei swallowed and quickly regained her composure. "It's a very pretty name."
Lily suddenly beamed at her. "I know," she said proudly. "Just like her hair. Isn't her hair pretty?"
For a moment, Sun Mei thought she was talking about her mother's hair. When she realized that Lily was pointing at her doll, she said hurriedly, "It definitely is!"
Lily's smile became even wider. "My mommy's hair is pretty too!"
Okay, Sun Mei thought. She is definitely talking about Jenny now...
Although there were many things not to like about Jenny, Sun Mei had to admit that she had gorgeous hair. This was something she could say without lying.
"Yes, it is," she told Lily.
Lily looked at her with a frown. "How do you know that?" she asked.
Sun Mei almost kicked herself. "Uh, I… I can imagine…"
"Have you seen my mommy?" Lily asked as she put her doll down. "Did she come home?"
Sun Mei, who couldn't stand to look at Lily's big innocent eyes and lie, tried to soften the blow. "Only for a little bit… She had to leave almost immediately."
She wanted to add that Jenny would be back soon to see Lily, but she didn't know that. How could she lie to this little girl and give her false hope when her mother had already hurt her and disappointed her enough?
"Why didn't she wait for me?" Lily's big eyes were full of tears that were ready to spill over.
"Honey, she couldn't. But she will come again…" Sun Mei bit herself as soon as she said that.
"I want to see her now!" Lily said as tears started to trail down her plump cheeks.
"I don't know about that, Lily. She is probably busy with work..." While Sun Mei tried to make up for her mistake, Lily reached for her and hugged her tightly.
Sun Mei relaxed and embraced her, stroking her small back in soothing circles.
"Where is your mommy?" Lily asked her quietly before putting her thumb in her mouth.
"She is back in China," Sun Mei told her. "I haven't seen her in over two months, but I still know that she loves me."
The little girl pulled back and looked up at Sun Mei. "Is your mommy as pretty as my mommy?"
Sun Mei laughed. "My mommy wishes she was as pretty as your mommy!"
As they talked quietly, Sun Mei felt Lily start to relax in her lap and drift off to sleep. When Mr. Wu knocked on the door a few minutes later, he saw Lily sleeping soundly in Sun Mei's arms.
Sun Mei, who hadn't heard the door open, was smiling fondly at the little girl. Mr. Wu looked at them both lovingly and closed the door again.
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