A poor janitor named Pauline was browsing a flea market when she came across a doll that caught her eye. “Oh, this one’s lovely. Eve will love it!” she said, thinking of her 8-year-old daughter, Eve. Pauline, a single mother who had been raising Eve alone since her husband passed away from cancer, was always looking for ways to make her daughter happy, despite their financial struggles.
Pauline worked as a janitor, and she didn’t have the means to buy anything extravagant for Eve’s birthday. Finding the doll at the flea market seemed like the perfect gift. However, when Pauline bought it, she was so focused on how much Eve would love it that she didn’t notice anything unusual about the doll.
Two days later, on Eve’s birthday, Pauline handed her the doll, and that’s when she heard a strange crackling sound. It startled her.
A few days earlier, Eve had asked Pauline for a doll, sad that her birthday was approaching and she didn’t have one. “Mommy, can you get me a doll?” Eve had asked, her voice filled with longing. Pauline had gently explained that money was tight that month, but she promised to get her one the following month. Eve, however, reminded her that her birthday was just two days away. Feeling guilty, Pauline assured her that she hadn’t forgotten and promised to get her a doll, which is what led her to the flea market.
On Eve’s birthday, when Pauline presented the doll, Eve was overjoyed. Her excitement was palpable as she thanked her mother with a kiss. But just as Pauline handed over the doll, the strange sound echoed again. Curious, Pauline shook the doll near her ear and discovered something odd inside.
Upon closer inspection, Pauline found a secret pocket sewn into the doll’s dress. Inside was a note that read, “Happy Birthday, Mommy.” Confused, Eve exclaimed that it wasn’t her mother’s birthday, but Pauline felt a strange connection to the message.
The next day, Pauline returned to the flea market and found the woman who had sold her the doll. Pauline explained what she had found, and the woman, named Miriam, became emotional. Through tears, Miriam shared that the doll had been a gift from her daughter, who had passed away two days before her birthday. Miriam’s daughter had been diagnosed with cancer, and the family had struggled to afford her treatments. Selling items at the flea market had been their last resort to cover medical expenses, but tragically, they couldn’t save her.
Miriam explained that her daughter had asked her to be happy and remember her with a smile, which is why she had decided to sell the doll along with her daughter’s other toys. Miriam tearfully apologized for oversharing, but Pauline comforted her, offering a warm hug and a listening ear.
The two women bonded over their shared experiences of loss and hardship. Pauline invited Miriam to visit her and Eve, saying that her daughter would love to meet her. Before leaving, Pauline thanked Miriam for the doll, which had brought so much joy to Eve.
A few days later, Miriam visited Pauline and Eve at their trailer home. She handed Pauline an envelope containing $3000, money she had earned from selling her daughter’s toys. Pauline was overwhelmed by the gesture and initially refused to accept it, but Miriam insisted, saying that she wanted to help in any way she could. She knew how difficult it was to be a mother who couldn’t do enough for her child.
Touched by Miriam’s generosity, Pauline accepted the money with gratitude. From that day on, the two women became close friends, with Miriam frequently visiting and spoiling Eve. Their friendship not only helped Miriam heal from her loss but also brought happiness and support to both families.