By Diana Sanchez
A young girl stares innocently at a store window displaying dolls, toy airplanes, toy cars and much more, with her hands leaning on the cold window. Wearing a dirty, oversized jacket makes her stand out on the sidewalk where adults and their children with high-quality winter clothes are walking. It’s the day before Christmas so families are doing some last-minute holiday shopping.
In this group of people, a woman in her light pink coat with her blonde hair in a bun walks gracefully down the block. Her gaze falls on the young child looking envious of the boys and girls in the toy shop. Whilst everyone else was walking, busy with their own lives, the woman slows her pace, eventually stopping and staring at the small child – pitifully. She wraps her mind around the girl’s situation and starts slowly approaching the shivering young child.
She’s now beside the young girl and bends down to her eye level, thus attracting her attention.
“Hey, sweetie,” she said while reaching for the girl’s hand, which was unsurprisingly cold, “What’s your name?”
“Ruby,” she responds in a low, trembling voice.
“Well Ruby, my name is Alexandra, is everything okay? Where’s your mother?” Ruby doesn’t respond this time, instead, she looks at the ground sadly, then shifts her attention back to the display.
“Do you want a toy? Is that why you’re here?” asks Alexandra.
“Yes.”
“Come back with your mother and make sure to bring a thicker coat, you’re freezing.”
“I can’t. My mommy doesn’t have the money to buy a toy,” Ruby responds sadly. Alexandra continues to stare at the child with compassion before she begins to speak again.
“Go on into the store, I’ll purchase a toy for you.”
“But I won’t be able to pay you back.”
“Don’t worry about that, I don’t mind.” As Alexandra finished her sentence Ruby’s expression changed; her eyes lit up and a huge smile grew on her face. She placed her hand on the door handle and pushed the door open, but made sure that Alexandra entered the store first.
Inside the store, there were parents with their children who carried toys to buy, as well as adults who seemed to be shopping for a child. All these people wore luxury brands and were buying their kids dozens of presents. Ruby didn’t pay attention to the other kids, she rushed to find a toy. To Alexandra’s surprise, Ruby rushed to the toy cars instead of the dolls. Ruby’s eyes landed on a light blue toy car; she picked it up and walked over to Alexandra.
“Can I have this one please?” Ruby asks as she holds the toy car up towards Alexandra.
“Are you sure you don’t want a doll sweetie?” Alexandra asks, just in case Ruby decides to change her mind.
“No, I want the toy car, Ms. Alexandra.”
Alexandra doesn’t ask Ruby any more questions, and she goes up to the cashier to pay for the toy. The employee places the toy car in a brown paper bag and bids Alexandra a good day; then they head towards the door. Once they are outside the store, Alexandra gives the bag to Ruby.
“Okay now, Ruby you better get home, your mother may be worried,” Alexandra tells Ruby.
“Okay, Ms. Alexandra, goodbye and thank you for buying this.”
They go their separate ways – Alexandra thinking she’ll never see Ruby again.
The next day, Ruby stands outside the same toy shop, only this time she’s not alone; a younger boy wears a similar oversized jacket as Ruby’s while holding her hand. Ruby was looking at the crowd of people, hoping to spot someone. Just then a familiar woman walks by in a dark blue coat. Ruby tugs on the boy’s hand then they start running in the woman’s direction.
“Ms. Alexandra! Ms. Alexandra!” Ruby yells in order to get her attention. Alexandra looks over at them slightly shocked; she didn’t think she would see the girl again.
“Oh hello, Ruby,” Alexandra greets her. “Who’s this young man?” she asks, looking at the boy.
“This is my brother, Henry.” Ruby pauses. “Do you remember the toy car that you bought for me yesterday?”
“Yes of course,” Alexandra responds.
“Well that car wasn’t for me, it was for my younger brother,” Ruby says pointing towards her brother. Suddenly the pieces fit together for Alexandra. “Thank you for making this Christmas a good one Ms. Alexandra!”
“Thank you, Ms. Alexandra! Henry exclaims, revealing the toy car the woman had bought.