Gemma sat alone in her bedroom, her favorite teddy bear “Gruff” in her arms. Other toys were positioned on the bed as she played her game of
Make Believe, exchanging secrets in a world of her own.
“Gemma I’m home!” called her mother, as she put her shopping onto the kitchen table.
Gemma pointed a finger at Gruff and whispered, “Don’t forget what I’ve told you!”
She placed the toys back into the box and went to see her mother.
“Have you done your homework?” she asked kissing Gemma on the cheek. “No, I was waiting for you to help me mum!” was her reply.
“I do wish you would try and do it by yourself for once.” Mum grumbled.
Gemma went back to her bedroom and opened her school books. The homework wasn’t difficult; she had just wanted to spend some time with her mother.
Gemma was an only child whose real father had left home when she was two years old, and her mother never spoke about him.
Gemma finished her homework, washed her hands for tea and joined mum and stepfather Jack in the kitchen.
“Are we still going to buy my new shoes tomorrow?” Gemma asked as she gave Jack a big hug.
“I’m sorry Gem, I have been asked to work overtime. Perhaps we can go next weekend.”
Gemma was so disappointed. Jack always seemed to be working at the local fire station and her mother had taken a part time job. They never went anywhere together any more.
That night Gemma sat in her room with Gruff her favorite teddy.
“What am I to do now?” she asked. “Mum was taking me to buy some new shoes, but the maid has phoned in sick. Poor mummy has to do all of the housework. If only my brother was home from boarding school, we would probably be spending the day sailing or swimming in the sea. We could sail to America to see my real Father, he’s always pleased to see me.”
It didn’t matter to Gemma that Gruff only answered when he was turned upside down. She enjoyed playing “Make Believe” and could have a brother or sister when she wanted one.
As the weeks passed, Gemma started to believe her own stories and couldn’t wait to get home from school, to be free to use her imagination.
“I have just returned from America. What a wonderful holiday I’ve had. I was on the airplane all by myself and everyone was so kind to me. My father met me at the airport in his limousine. He would love me to live with him, but, I had to say no, I couldn’t upset mum.”
Gemma heard the front door open and quickly put her toys back into the cupboard whispering, “Don’t say anything about my holiday.”
Sylvia looked tired as she started to set the table for tea.
“Why do you have to go to work mummy?” asked Gemma.
“Don’t ask silly questions dear, you know we haven’t enough money to pay the mortgage let alone buy you new clothes all the time.”
“Why don’t you ask my dad for some money?”
“Because your father works hard at the fire station, but his wage alone is not enough.”
“I mean my real father in America.” said Gemma.
Sylvia looked shocked. “What are you going on about? Jack is the only father you’ve got. I don’t want to hear any more of this rubbish from you.”
Nothing more was said on the subject, even though her mother wondered where she could have got such an idea from.
That night Gemma could hear her mother and stepfather talking.
“What made her say America?” “I don’t know, but it’s time you told her the truth Sylvia.”
Gemma lay in her bed cuddling Gruff. “You shouldn’t have told,” she whispered. “I said you must keep him a secret. Didn’t I?” She fell asleep holding on tightly to the soft teddy
Gemma started to take a keen interest in geography. She wanted to learn as much as she could about America. She had lived in Australia all of her life. Why she had picked America even she didn’t know. Perhaps she had heard about it in a film or on television. She just had a strong feeling her real father lived there. Perhaps she really did have brothers and sisters. One day she would find out for sure.
The school broke up for the summer holidays and Sylvia had asked Mrs. Clark next door to keep an eye on Gemma three days a week. Her daughter Barbara was the same age, so she didn’t mind at all.
Gemma finished her breakfast and went to her room to talk to Gruff and other toys she had arranged on a chair.
“I am off to America for the day so play nicely together. I will be home to cook your tea.” She closed the bedroom door and went to see Barbara.
Gemma and Barbara spent the morning at the beach with Mrs. Clark keeping a watchful eye on them. Barbara was fun to be with, much to Gemma’s surprise. They swam in the sea, had a picnic lunch and went home before the afternoon sun became too hot.
That night back in her room Gemma spoke to her dolls.
“Well, what a good day I’ve had. I visited my real father in America and discovered that I have two older brothers as well as a sister. We had such a lovely time swimming in the sea and eating a picnic lunch. I must write and thank them.”
She found a piece of paper and started to write.
“Dear Barbara,
It was lovely to see you today. It’s hard having a sister that lives so far away. I will meet you at the Airport next week as arranged.
It will have to be our secret. Tell my father I love him. Gemma.”
Gemma put the letter under her pillow and got into bed.
The following morning at the breakfast table Jack asked Gemma if she would like to spend the day at the zoo.
The look on her face was enough of an answer. She threw her arms around his neck and pressed her lips hard against his cheek. “Can you be ready in ten minutes?” he asked.
Gemma was ready in five.
During the drive to the zoo Gemma didn’t stop talking she was so excited. It seemed to her that they hadn’t been out together as a family for so long.
They had a wonderful day and Gemma fell asleep in the car on the way home. Sylvia opened the front door and switched on the lights. She walked into Gemma’s room and turned down the covers for Jack to put Gemma into bed.
Noticing the piece of paper sticking out from the pillow she put in her pocket.
It wasn’t until the next day that Sylvia remembered the piece of paper and decided to read what Gemma had written. She stared at the letter in disbelief.
It was time to tell Gemma the truth about her real father.
Sylvia approached Gemma’s bedroom and heard her daughter’s voice.
“I am not going to America after all. I’m far too happy here; mum and dad took me to the zoo yesterday. Jack is such fun to be with and I know he loves me as if I were his own. I forget sometimes especially when I make believe. Don’t say anything to anyone as this will be our secret.” She put Gruff away and turned around to see her mum standing quietly in the doorway.
“I think it’s time for us to have a talk Gemma.” she said sitting herself down on the bed.
“Did you mean what you said just now, are you happy?”
Gemma felt awkward as she nodded her head.
“Why were you talking about America, and what does this piece of paper mean? It mentions a sister that lives far away.”
“I made it all up.” said Gemma.
“Well, you certainly have a very active imagination and there’s no harm in that. But if you are unhappy or ever have any problems you must come and talk to me.”
S
he held Gemma’s hand as she said “Your real father isn’t alive any more. He died in a plane crash when you were very young. He was on his way to America on business when they ran into bad weather. Life has been a struggle, but, we were lucky to have found Jack and he loves us both very much.”
There was a knock at the front door and Gemma left her mum sitting on the bed while she ran to see who it was.
“I’m going out to play with Barbara, Mum!” called Gemma as she closed the front door behind her.
****
A few months later Gemma was told she was going to have a baby brother or sister.
Alone with her dolls, Gemma realized she had a lot more than most children. She had a loving mum and dad, she had her best friend Barbara, she lived near the sea and now she was going to have a real sister. Gemma couldn’t have been happier as she kissed Gruff and put him away into the toy box.