It was the last day of my summer vacations and I had been preparing to go to college. I took out my new dress, made sure that i was neatly pressed and even wore it just to make sure that I wasn't looking too fat in it. I had to admit that I'd gained some extra kilos during holidays. I wanted to make a great impression at college, unlike the kind of impression I'd made in school. Nobody likes a silent geek is what I'd learned from school life. Well I sure did. But that was just me against the world. So I decided to join the world. While I was just running around here and there occasionally looking at myself in the mirror and wondering what I'd look like wearing casuals everyday instead of regular school uniform I noticed someone staring at me from the corner of the room. How could I not notice that innocent look. It was stuffy, my dear friend. I would never call him a toy or doll. He had always been much more than that. I was 8 when we got him home. Since everyone told he was a stuffed toy, I just named him Stuffy. Later I realised that it was quite a funny name. I mean just imagine, naming a doll Dolly or a bear Beary or even a dog Doggy. But by then Stuffy was quite adjusted to his name and I did not want to confuse him changing his even though I thought James Bond would make a great name. Maybe Bond's parents once called him Stuffy or Sweety out of love. So you know, at the end it makes a fair name.
I just went to the corner of the room, held Stuffy in my arms and sat with him on my couch. Poor Stuffy did not have a single clue as to what would happen next. I broke the silence by complementing him telling how handsome he was looking and he had go a cool afternoon glow. Now I had to come to the main topic. "Okay Stuffy, I have something very important that I got to tell you" I started. "It may sound very horrible at first but later you'll just have a good laugh about it" and I just raised my hand to give him a high five but it looked like he was in no mood for it. So I continued "You know Stuffy, you have been a very good friend to me from the time we became... good friends and obviously you are my favorite doll. There's no doubt about it. But as time advances we all tend to grow and that's nature. I mean look at you. When we got you home, you were like 1 feet tall and now..." I pause. What to say? Stuffy never grows. "you are one 1 tall and you have many clothes. That's just as much of a sign that you are growing. So when people grow, and when I say people I mean all people including toy people, there are a lot of changes happening around. When I played with barbie when I was 8 nobody said anything but now if they see me with barbie they just give me looks." I just stop talking for a moment and realise that now stuffy is giving me looks. I also realise that this means long long talk and heart breaking session but I got to do it.
So I gather some more courage and continue "You know we've had great memories together but I guess that might not happen anymore" I look away. Now all those memories are just flashing in front of my eyes. When there was some big secret that I could not tell anyone at home, Stuffy would always be around and ready to listen. Of course there was no advise giving session but like I wanted any!! So now I turn back and start speaking again "You know that I will be starting college tomorrow right? So I need to prepare for that. And preparation does not mean only putting books together and choosing clothes. It also means cutting certain things out. Look! I don't want to beat around the bush. So I think this is the time we end our friendship. I have to get adjusted to the fact that I need to make friends who are not dolls and you need to make friends who are... dolls. You know Kelly (my Barbie) has always liked you but you never show any interest in her. So now is the time for all of that."
I take a look at the clock and it's been almost an hour and when I look at Stuffy I want to cry and I'm pretty sure that Stuffy is already crying. Dolls can be really clever. They can be sad, happy, grumpy or anything else and nothing appears on their face. It's so cool! But anyways now I give Stuffy a big hug and place him carefully in the attic where I've placed the other toys. "You'll be safe and happy there in your world. Also, this is not the end. I will visit you once in a while. Now I think it's time for me to stick around in the real world. So goodbye Stuffy and take care." I wave at all the toys and get back to my room. My friend drops home and we start preparing for college together. Bye Bye fantasies and welcome reality!!
I just went to the corner of the room, held Stuffy in my arms and sat with him on my couch. Poor Stuffy did not have a single clue as to what would happen next. I broke the silence by complementing him telling how handsome he was looking and he had go a cool afternoon glow. Now I had to come to the main topic. "Okay Stuffy, I have something very important that I got to tell you" I started. "It may sound very horrible at first but later you'll just have a good laugh about it" and I just raised my hand to give him a high five but it looked like he was in no mood for it. So I continued "You know Stuffy, you have been a very good friend to me from the time we became... good friends and obviously you are my favorite doll. There's no doubt about it. But as time advances we all tend to grow and that's nature. I mean look at you. When we got you home, you were like 1 feet tall and now..." I pause. What to say? Stuffy never grows. "you are one 1 tall and you have many clothes. That's just as much of a sign that you are growing. So when people grow, and when I say people I mean all people including toy people, there are a lot of changes happening around. When I played with barbie when I was 8 nobody said anything but now if they see me with barbie they just give me looks." I just stop talking for a moment and realise that now stuffy is giving me looks. I also realise that this means long long talk and heart breaking session but I got to do it.
So I gather some more courage and continue "You know we've had great memories together but I guess that might not happen anymore" I look away. Now all those memories are just flashing in front of my eyes. When there was some big secret that I could not tell anyone at home, Stuffy would always be around and ready to listen. Of course there was no advise giving session but like I wanted any!! So now I turn back and start speaking again "You know that I will be starting college tomorrow right? So I need to prepare for that. And preparation does not mean only putting books together and choosing clothes. It also means cutting certain things out. Look! I don't want to beat around the bush. So I think this is the time we end our friendship. I have to get adjusted to the fact that I need to make friends who are not dolls and you need to make friends who are... dolls. You know Kelly (my Barbie) has always liked you but you never show any interest in her. So now is the time for all of that."
I take a look at the clock and it's been almost an hour and when I look at Stuffy I want to cry and I'm pretty sure that Stuffy is already crying. Dolls can be really clever. They can be sad, happy, grumpy or anything else and nothing appears on their face. It's so cool! But anyways now I give Stuffy a big hug and place him carefully in the attic where I've placed the other toys. "You'll be safe and happy there in your world. Also, this is not the end. I will visit you once in a while. Now I think it's time for me to stick around in the real world. So goodbye Stuffy and take care." I wave at all the toys and get back to my room. My friend drops home and we start preparing for college together. Bye Bye fantasies and welcome reality!!
