Purple Elephant
The little girl clapped her hands in delight and jumped excitedly in place. She scouted around the arcade for her mother. When she found her by the tables, talking on her cell phone, she started running over, anxious to share her news.
“Mommy!”
“No, I said, do NOT accept that offer. We can get a higher offer from them!”
“Mommy…”
“I am on the PHONE. Are you blind?” snapped the mother.
The little girl’s eyebrows raised, a little hurt. “No…” she trailed off.
“I hate this stupid kid place. It’s noisy and my kid’s driving me nuts. Just tell them to quit fooling around. If they want to do business, then they need to get real with their offer!” The mother angrily clicked her phone to end the conversation. She quickly shoved the phone back into her waist holster, then took a deep breath. She smoothed her hair and her skirt, then turned to face her daughter. She looked her over calculatingly, a thing she always did right before she was going to scold her daughter.
The little girl knew better than to look down. Nothing irritated her mother more than her looking down. But she couldn’t help it.
“Why are you putting your head down?” asked the mother, very quietly and coldly.
“Uh, I… I-” stammered the little girl.
“Oh, and stuttering, too, my other favorite habit.” The mother smiled but the little girl knew it wasn’t as much a warm smile but a smile that meant her mother didn’t think she understood anything.
“Mommy, I just wanted to show you the purple elephant that I won.” The little girl held up her prized elephant.
The mother said “Oh. Cute.”
The little girl nodded happily. “I got him from the claw machine. I saw him and I wanted him and I got him. He’s wonderful. I’m going to name him -”
“Very cute, honey, very cute. Let’s go. This place gives me a migraine and we have to pick up your brother from his friend’s house. Come on.” The mother marched off toward the exit, leaving the little girl wide-eyed and with her jaw slightly open.
No, no, no. No tears. I am NOT a baby. I am NOT going to cry. She hugged her purple elephant tightly to her chest and angrily wiped away the hot tears that were spilling over. He was only about 6 inches tall, more lavender than purple, with a soft fuzzy belly and white satin ears. He had big eyes, just like the little girl. She had fallen in love at first sight. You’re the only friend I need, she whispered to her elephant, then followed her mother to the parking lot, remembering to hold her head up.
“Yes, ma’am… Coming!”
* * * *
Dear _________,
A long time ago, I won this elephant at an arcade. I don’t know why, but this little thing meant the world to me.
I know our relationship has been a roller coaster, at best. It took two of us to make it that way so, believe me, I don’t just blame you. I know people are the way they are sometimes because of their upbringing, sometimes through their own decisions, sometimes just through fate. I do know we all make our own decisions. Sometimes the outcomes are good, sometimes they kind of stink.
You’ve been such a big help in so many ways. Because of you, I’ve grown a lot as a person and will always be thankful. It is because of you that I no longer feel I need the purple elephant. I feel like the friendship we’ve had has made me a stronger person. It’s made me realize my worth and that I don’t need vindication from you or anyone else to feel like a valuable asset to the world. Thank you for making me a more confident person.
I want you to have this elephant. Think of it as a gift for a much greater gift you’ve given me. Regardless of where you and I end up someday.
Love,
___________
* * * *
“Well, how was the date last night? asked the mother, in her usual no-nonsense business tone.
The woman sighed internally as she signed the lunch receipt. “It was good, mom.”
“Good? Just good? At your age, you can’t be happy with simply good. Were you confident? Were you boring? You know you need to have your game face on for these sorts of things.” The mother smiled but the little girl knew it wasn’t as much a warm smile but a smile that meant her mother didn’t think she understood anything. It wasn’t a mean smile by any means, though. With time, the woman had grown to love her mother’s well-intentioned quirks. She knew the snippy comments were really more her mother looking out for her than insulting her.
“I was a fabulous date, mom. You should’ve seen me! I would’ve charmed you right out of your seat!” the woman grinned.
The mother let out a surprised laugh, but the twinkle in her eye let the daughter know her mom liked her response. “Well, I hope so. I can’t have you be an old maid, you know.” Never one for letting a possibly tender moment linger, the mother stood up and said “Let’s go. We still need to get the gift for your aunt.”
The woman laughed. Business first, always. Her mother was already ten feet ahead of her, when the woman looked down at her key chain. There was a picture of herself and her mother, from twenty years ago, with the purple elephant on her lap. She smiled at the purple elephant that she had given away over 5 years ago.
“What are you waiting for? And keep your head up when you walk!”
The woman laughed. “Yes, ma’am… Coming!”
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