Doll- Girl

Colleen sat cross legged on the floor of her bedroom, pink striped knee socks against black carpet, retying the pink ribbons at the ends of the braids in her hair.
“Honey, you need to walk the dog.” Her mom said, peeking in the door.
“But Mommy, I don’t want to.”
“Put on your shoes and do it anyway. It’s beautiful outside.”
“Okay.” Colleen sighed.

Her mother turned away from the doorway and leaned against the wall, out of sight, while her eyes filled with tears. Her beautiful sixteen-year-old daughter, had been reduced to her five year old self. And there was nothing she could do about it.
This should have been the year she learned to drive a car. Instead, they were putting training wheels on her bike again. She should be doing homework and studying for exams instead of practicing writing her name and reading flashcards and picture books. She should be going shopping on the weekends with her friends, instead of having to hold hands with her mother. It was stupid and heartbreaking and no one knew what to do about it.
Colleen laced up her pink sneakers and went to find Lucy, the white fluffy terrier they had waiting when she was released from the hospital. She crawled under tables and peeked under couches until she found Lucy in the kitchen, hovering by her leash.
“Ready to go for a walk, puppy?” Colleen giggled.
Lucy barked and nudged the leash with her nose.
Colleen giggled and clapped then knelt down to attach the leash.
“Okay Mommy, we’re going now.” Colleen yelled.
“Okay Sweetie. Remember to look both ways before you cross the street.”
“I will.”
After she heard the front door slam, her mother walked downstairs. She would have to sit on the porch and watch her daughter walk down the street when she should be watching her walk across a stage, receiving her high school diploma.