Chapter One
I stand by the door, listening. I can hear Mommy's voice floating in from under the door. Her laughter sounds like bells as it echos through the room. I stand still not hearing any of the words just waiting for the inevitable. All of Mommy's parties end the same way. Soon enough I hear the familiar words.
"Would you like to see my dolls?"
No one ever says no.
With practised steps I walk the diameter of the circular room from door to window seat and take my place. The other dolls are all sitting perfectly, just like always. They are so much better then I am. Mommy tells them to stay in place and they do, I'm the only one who ever breaks her rules. I arrange my skirts in exactly the way Mommy left them and turn my head ever so slightly left so that I too am perfect. I concentrate on making my eyes glassy and unfocused and my skin smooth and unmoving. The door opens and in comes Mommy and her guests.
The light in the room is set to make me the centre of attention and the guest want nothing more then to walk right up to me and stare at how beautiful and perfect I am. Mommy has a routine though. She says it's like the games, that she has to build up the expectation and excitement before the main event. She guides them through the room demanding their attention, she displays each of her beautiful creations with equal care and pride. Even so soon the guest are buzzing and impatient and she doesn't a resist any longer she brings them over to me. I sit still just like I'm meant to as they stare at me and compliment Mommy. I'm waiting. Just as she always dose at the same moment every party she signals me. I turn my head smoothly and slowly to face our guests and smile.
They break out into applause and more compliments for Mommy but she quickly quiets them. There is more she says just wait. Then tilt my head so I am specifically facing Mommy and speak.
"I love you Mommy" I say.
Now they can't stop themselves they all start to talk at once.
"Amazing"
"So believable"
"Almost like she was real"
The last one seems almost entranced she looks into my eyes. I look through her. She reaches out to touch me and before Mommy can stop her has placed a single finger on my cheek. She pulls back immediately. Mommy looks worried now and she dose something different. Instead of continuing to show me she tells the guest that they should move on to the kitchen because the food will be ready soon. She's lying, the food is always prepared on an exact schedule and it shouldn't be ready until they're done looking at me. The guests leave and the entranced lady is staring at Mommy now. They leave too closing the door behind them.
I try to stay still like I should but I can't. What did I do wrong? Why did they all have to leave early? I feel tears welling up in my eyes. I mustn't cry, Mommy dolls will walk and talk if she tells them to, but none of them cry. It's wrong I mustn't. The tears fall and I must move to cover them so I lift my two pale hands to my face and cover my eyes.
I think all the others must be looking at me now as the water leaks out of my eyes on to my pale blue dress. They must think so poorly of me moving and crying and now I am even speaking without permission. Although I don't know if the choking noises coming out of my throat are words, but I've heard so few words in my life I suppose they could be.