Responsibility For A Wish

20250722

Written for the "Kev's Odyssey" series.

If Annie’s grandparents had known she would wish for her “best friend” to come to life, they would’ve picked a smaller, lighter doll to gift her. At least the magic animating Belle meant her porcelain was now near invulnerable, and when something did manage to crack it, it healed overnight.
Unfortunately, the wish had been too weak to let her move. She could hear and see and feel. She could talk, albeit in a soft wispy voice which tickled the mind more than the ear. When very excited her eyelids would sometimes flutter. And she certainly had a mind of her own.
But for her to actually experience the world, Annie had to carry her around or use a pushchair. It was a great bother for both of them; now that Annie was seven Belle was half her size, and while she weighed a third of what a child that big would, this was still quite heavy enough!
However, having wished her best friend into existence, Annie now Had A Responsibility. Likely a lifelong one. And she faced it with her slim, freckled shoulders squared.
Today was the birthday party of one of her friends from school. Annie and Belle had brand-new matching dresses from Grandma, and Daddy had made them headbands covered in paper flowers. It was going to be such a jolly day!
Annie had gotten up early to make sure everything was ready. As she started to unfold Belle’s pushchair Belle suddenly said “Maybe you should just leave me here.”
“What?” Annie stared at the doll sitting propped on her little wicker chair. “But the party’s going to be so much fun!”
Belle’s face was, of course, inscrutable, fixed in that demure smile. “I just don’t feel like going to a party today. I’m sorry. You go, and tell me all about it.”
“I… are you sure?”
“Yes. Have fun!”
So Annie put the pushchair back in the cupboard and headed downstairs. Her lower lip full and slightly wobbly.
“Funbun, what’s wrong?” Daddy crouched down to examine her.
“Belle doesn’t want to go to the party with me.” Annie knew it was silly to be downcast about this, but she felt… pushed away. She blinked and swallowed and forced a smile.
“Did she say why?”
“She doesn’t feel like it.”
Which was odd, because Belle didn’t have to worry about things like headaches or being tired, and loved parties. Even though she couldn’t join in most of the games, she had great fun watching, and talking to people.
Daddy exchanged a long, pensive look with Mummy.
“…You finish loading the car, and I’ll check on her.” Mummy decided, and Daddy nodded.
Belle was sitting in her chair, facing the window. Watching the birds on the feeders.
“Is everything alright, sweetie?”
“Yes.”
“Annie said you don’t want to come with us to the party?”
“No. I’d rather stay home.”
“Why? Are you worried about something?”
“…No.”
Belle’s little voice held a definite tremble.
“Is it because the Jones have a dog?”
“Oh yes!” Belle perked up. “That’s it.”
“Hm.” Mummy was not a fool. That hadn’t sounded like someone confessing a fear; it sounded like someone seizing an excuse. “Well, I’m sure the Jones won’t mind us asking to keep the dog in a different room to you. He’ll probably be away from all the excitement anyway.”
“No, no, I wouldn’t want to be a bother. And besides, Annie will want to play with the dog.”
“You can sit with us while she does that.”
“But then Annie will have to keep coming to check on me, and won’t be able to enjoy the party, and…” Belle trailed off, her eyelids fluttering.
Ah.
Mummy settled herself on the floor next to Belle’s chair. “Are you worried that if you come, Annie won’t be able to have fun?”
“I’ll get in the way.” Belle whispered. “She’ll spend all her time fussing about me and won’t get to play with everyone and that’s not fair and she’ll resent it and she’ll hate me!”
“Oh dear. That is a scary thought.” Mummy paused, seeking how to put this. “Have you asked Annie how she feels?”
“She always says it’s fine. But I know it isn’t. I know I’m holding her back. She didn’t wish for, for a millstone. She wanted a little sister. It’s not fair she got me.”
Mummy thought about the other parties. Other outings. How Annie took her responsibility to Belle very seriously. Which was good, and they were proud of her, and always made sure to tell her so.
But, well, looking after a little sister was a big responsibility. Too big for a child. They hadn’t thought about it like that; to them Belle was still a doll. Now that Mummy was remembering all the care and help Belle needed, she felt guilty about expecting Annie to do so much, just because she’d made a wish back when she was too young to know better.
She’d need to talk to Daddy about this.
For now, the party was starting soon. And Annie was sad that Belle didn’t want to come. And she suspected Belle would be sad about missing it.
So Mummy gently promised “Daddy and I will watch you for Annie, so she can join in as many games as she wants. We can help with the pushchair, and carrying you, and introducing you to people. If you’ve got one of us with you, and she can see you, I don’t think Annie will worry.”
“…Are you sure?” Belle’s voice wavered.
“I’m sure. Annie was disappointed that you didn’t want to come.”
“She was?”
“Yes. You’re her best friend, after all.”
Belle was silent for a moment. Her eyelids fluttering.
Then she whispered “Would you mind?”
“Not at all!” Mummy patted Belle’s head. “It’s only fair. You're our responsibility too. Let me get your outfit and pushchair. We’ll tell Annie you were anxious about the dog. And… and we’ll talk properly later.”

Prompt was “Burden”.