A Chatty Cathy Doll, for Celia.

Christmas is coming. I hope Mom and Santa think I've been good this year. I really, really want a "Chatty Cathy Doll" for Christmas.

Mom says I might be getting a baby brother or sister for Christmas. Her belly is getting really big. I hope it's not a sister, I like being the only girl.
I've never wanted a doll before, I don't think I ever wanted anything more. According to Cousin Carol, who knows everything, you pull its string and it talks. Hmmm, I wonder how that works. Maybe I can take Dad's screwdriver to it and find out. The twins have been teasing me, ever since I announced at breakfast I want a doll. Just wait till we get outside, I'll show them I'm not a sissy. I'm 7 and I can run faster than both of them, even though they just turned 9.

I just woke up, I better hurry and get ready for church it's Sunday morning and Christmas Eve. I don't smell any bacon, and why isn't Mom telling us to hurry up? Wish it wasn't Sunday, I hate wearing dresses; they itch. Oh boy, Nana Cecilia is in the kitchen. Shes making our breakfast. I wonder what she's doing here. No one said she was coming for Christmas. At least I don't think so. That's weird, I wonder where Mom is. The twins are sitting at the table, making faces at eachother. Vic, he's the oldest, is kicking them under the table. He kicks hard, I hope he doesn't kick me.

"Hi Nana" she gives me a hug. She gives good hugs, not too long, like Nina does. Yuck.
"Where's my Mom?"
She smiles, pours a cup of coffee and sits at the table.


"Your mom went to the hospital early this morning." She sees the alarm on our faces. "Don't worry, this is a good thing. Remember your Mom told you, that your baby brother, or"

"Or sister", I interupt. Vic sends me a nasty look. Not supposed to interrupt when grown ups are talking. He's 12, he always gives me a nasty look when I do something wrong.

"Yes or sister, would be coming for Christmas, well I guess she couldn't wait." I interrupt again, risking a kick from Vic. I moved my leg just in time, he missed.

" You said, she, does that mean we have a sister?

"Yes, Cathy was born this morning, today is her birthday!"

It may be her birthday, but tomorrows Christmas, I sure hope she doesn't spoil it. Hey wait a minute, Cathy? Thats the same name as the doll I want. Weird. Nana says Mom and Cathy will be home in time to open our presents tomorrow. I wonder if we have to get the baby a Christmas present. I better make something, just in case.

It's Christmas! I smell cinnamon, Nana must be making churros. Yes!
I like it when she comes to our house, she always makes churros for us. I like the way the sugar sticks to my fingers.

"Nana, when can we open our presents?"

She smiles, her green eyes with the funny specks, smile too.

"After lunch when your Mother and baby sister come home from the hospital."

I hear Dad's car coming up the drive. They are home. The babys funny looking all red and stuff. Mom says we have to be quiet and real careful when we hold it.

I opened all my presents and not a Chatty Cathy doll anywhere. Mom wanted to know why I looked so disapointed. I got up and walked over to her. She was sitting on the couch, holding the crying baby. Thats all it's done, since it got home.

"I like the coloring books and the rollerskates. But, I really wanted a Chatty Cathy doll. Remember, I told you it talks."

Mom bursts out laughing. I don't see whats so funny.

"But Celia, didn't you notice I named your new sister Cathy?"

"Yeah," still looking down, " I mean yes."

"You have your very own "real" Chatty Cathy Doll."

I kicked the couch just missing moms leg. I remember screaming as I ran out of the room. "All it does is cry!, at least when you pull the string the doll talks."

This is a true story, and I am Cathy. My sister never did get over that Christmas disapointment.

(650words)