Eloise

A couple of days had passed and my lunch with Talia went well. I expressed to her my anxiety and nervousness about speaking in front of a large group. She laughed and told me everyone gets like that their first time on stage. She gave me some tips and told me just to go with the flow and let the lecture happen naturally.

I was sitting on the couch with my laptop making a couple of PowerPoints for the weekend, when there was a knock at my door. I looked through the peep hole and saw it was the UPS guy holding a large box in his hands. When I opened the door, he looked at the package and then at me.

“Are you Eloise Moore?” he asked.

“Yes, I am.”

“This is for you and I’ll need a signature.”

He handed me the box and I signed for it.

“Thank you.” I smiled.

“Have a nice day.” He tipped his hat.

I had no idea what this could be because I hadn’t ordered anything in a while. I took the scissors from the kitchen drawer and slid it down the box. Lifting the flaps, I stared at the large red box that had American Girl written across it and the white envelope that contained a card inside taped to it. After removing the envelope, I took the card out that said American Girl in gold across it and opened it.

Eloise,

The time we spent together was magical and a time I will never forget. I hurt you in a bad way and I’m truly sorry. I know how much Maggie meant to you and how the loss of her was devastating. I wanted you to have someone you can tell your deepest secrets to when you feel like you can’t tell anyone else. I hope this doesn’t upset you. That isn’t my intention. I know you’ll take good care of her and give her the home she deserves. She was made special for you.

Love, Christian

A single tear fell from my eye as I read his note. Removing the lid from the box, I cupped my mouth in my hand and began to cry as I looked at the American Girl doll that looked just like me; long brown hair with curls at the end and emerald green eyes. I didn’t know what to think because I couldn’t. My head was in a tizzy and millions of thoughts were running through my head at the same time. I removed the doll from the box and held her tight. Wiping my eyes, I took her over to the couch and sat down. She wore a white dress with small pink roses all over it, a plum sash around the waist, and a light blue denim jacket. I smiled when I looked down at her plum-colored Mary Jane style shoes. But the one thing that really choked me up was the little camera she held in her hand. Once I composed myself, I sent a group message to the girls.

“I really need you all to come over tonight for dinner. Six o’clock. Scarlett, bring Hannah if Jeff won’t be home.”

A few moments later, all three of them replied that they would be here. As I stared at the doll, I knew I needed to name her. She looked just like Maggie and I didn’t see any harm in naming her that. After all, some people named their new cats and dogs after the ones who passed away.

“Welcome home, Maggie.” I smiled.

I finished my PowerPoint with Maggie by my side and placed a delivery order for Chinese, ordering everyone’s favorite dish. When six o’clock rolled around, there was a knock at my door and Natalie, Scarlett, and Claire stood on the other side.

“Is everything okay?” Natalie asked as she hugged me.

“I think so.”

“What do you mean?” Scarlett asked.

“Where’s Hannah?”

“My mom came over and took her for the night.”

“Is there a reason for this last-minute dinner get together?” Claire asked as all three of them followed me into the kitchen.

“What the fuck is that?” Natalie asked as she looked at Maggie. “That doll looks just like you.”

“Oh my God. You bought an American Girl doll!” Scarlett exclaimed as she picked her up.

“I didn’t buy her,” I spoke. “She arrived today.”

I picked up Christian’s note and handed it to her while Natalie and Claire read it over her shoulder. A tear fell from Scarlett’s eye as the other two tried to hold theirs back.

“This man is not #Delete worthy,” Natalie spoke as she wiped her eye.

“I can’t even believe he did that,” Claire spoke.

“If you don’t marry him, I will!” Scarlett said. “That has to be the sweetest thing in the world.”

I couldn’t help but let out a light laugh. “You’re married.”

“I’ll divorce Jeff.” She smiled.

Natalie walked over to me and hugged me tight. Then the other two joined us.

“You need to rethink everything, Eloise,” Claire spoke.

“I agree. He’s not a typical douchebag guy. He made a mistake and I think he’s more than enough made it up to you.”

“What did he say when you thanked him?” Claire asked.

“I haven’t yet. I don’t have his number, remember?”

“Then I think you should do it in person.” She smiled.

“She’s right, Eloise,” Scarlett spoke.

“Yeah. This is a thank you that is in person worthy,” Natalie spoke.

“Okay. I’ll stop by the office tomorrow.”

“He’ll be there all day. He doesn’t have any meetings scheduled,” Claire spoke. “Plus, I’ll be there if you need support.”

After we ate, talked, and drank a bottle of wine between the four of us, I changed into my pajamas, sat Maggie on my dresser, and climbed into bed. I lay there thinking about tomorrow and what I wanted to say to him. My dad was right, everyone is entitled to make a mistake in their life. It’s how we learn and grow as human beings. My father also pointed out that he wasn’t the perfect man I saw him as, and if we truly cared for someone, we’d accept their flaws. Christian wasn’t a man who consistently behaved badly. He did what he did because he was afraid of what my reaction would be and losing me. I’d done things before I wasn’t proud of out of fear. I told him that I liked him, but I didn’t need him. That still rang true. I didn’t need him to be in my life, I wanted him to be.