The toyA Story by Writergirl Tommy has a favorite toy. “Tommy, honey, please, mommy has a headache. Take that to your room and play.” “But, mom.” “Tommy, now.” His face scrunched into a frown. “Fine.” He took the robot and stomped up the stairs. His mother shook her head and looked at Tara. “I know he loves that toy, but sometimes the noise grates on my nerves.” “How is he Amanda? Is he still having nightmares?” “Not as often. He still gets angry, it's hard.” “How are you holding up?” “Some days are better than others.” Buzz . . .zoom . . . beep, beep Tommy appeared at the top of the stairs holding the robot. “Tommy, I thought I told you to go to your room with that.” “I know mom, but dad said Aunt Tara should check on the baby.” “Tommy, what have I told you about lying? The baby is sleeping, but if you keep playing with that toy you're going to wake her.” Tara rose from her seat. “I'll just go and take a peek at her, she's been sleeping a while.” Amanda looked sternly at Tommy. “Tommy, come here, please.” He walked down the stairs holding the robot in his hand as it still beeped and buzzed. “What have I told you about the robot?” He sighed. “It's just a toy.” “Your dad is in heaven honey, the robot is just a toy that daddy gave to you and I know it's your favorite, but daddy doesn't talk to you through the toy. Things like that aren't possible OK?” “But-” “Tommy.” “Fine.” “Amanda, call 911!” Tara rushed down the stairs holding Sara in her arms. “Oh my God, what is it?” “Call 911 Sara's not breathing.” Tommy stood amid the chaos while his mother called for help. Sara would be fine, she had spit up and it had blocked her airway, Tara had found her just in time. Later that night Amanda tucked Tommy into bed and placed the robot on the nightstand beside him as usual. “Tommy how did you know that Sara was in trouble?” He yawned and rubbed his eyes. “Daddy told me.” She kissed his head. There was no use arguing with him about it tonight. She would talk to him more in the morning. “Goodnight, baby.” He turned over and tucked the covers underneath his chin. “Goodnight, mommy.” Amanda went downstairs and pulled the photo albums from the shelf. She flipped through the pages. She missed Derek so much. It had only been six months since he’d kissed her and Tommy goodbye and left to go on that fire call. He had saved a mother and her three children, but he’d lost his life in the process. Hot tears stung her eyes and she wiped them away and closed the book. That night Amanda dreamed of Derek. She saw him run from a burning house. He had a child in his arms and he was calling to her. “Amanda, get Tommy, get out of the house!” “Derek, you’re here.” “Now Amanda, please baby, wake up get Tommy!” As he spoke to her his voice sounded mechanical; it was the voice of Tommy’s robot. Amanda’s eyes shot open. The robot beeped and buzzed. There was smoke and it was dark, so dark. She bolted from the bed and felt her way down the hallway to Tommy’s room. She could feel the heat, it was so hot and she could barely breath. She reached his door and called out to him. “Tommy! Baby where are you?” “Mommy!” He rushed into her arms and they made it down the stairs and out the door. Amanda shook with emotion as she watched her home burn. She kissed Tommy, at least they were alive. Then she remembered her dream. As the sun came up and the fire was extinguished, she sat, still weeping, as Tommy slept in her arms. “Mrs. Carter.” Mitch, a friend of Derek’s, and a fellow fireman stood in front of her holding the robot. “I know this belongs to Tommy. I was with his dad the day he bought it for him. Ironically, it was one of the only salvageable things left. Oh, and this picture of Derek with you and Tommy.” She blinked up at Mitch. “Where did you find the robot?” “It was at the foot of your bed, along with this picture.” She reached out for the toy and the picture. “Thank you, Mitch.” “No problem. Are you sure you’re OK?” “Yeah, I’ll be fine.” She looked at the robot. It couldn’t be, could it? As she thought more about the dream and her husband’s voice morphing into the voice of the robot begging her to wake up, she suddenly remembered something. Tommy had thrown the batteries out two weeks ago and asked her for more when the toy had stopped working. She hadn’t thought anymore about it, until now. She turned the toy around took a deep breath and pulled open the battery compartment. She smiled through her tears and hugged Tommy tight. There were no batteries.
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WritergirlNew Delhi, NC, IndiaAboutWebpulse® Awarded as Top 5 Web Designing Company , SEO Company & Branding Company in India. Specialized in making Search Engine Friendly Mobile Responsive Dynamic Websites for Startups, Small Medi.. more..Writing
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