“THEY’RE NOT REAL”


Her mother’s voice echos within her daughter’s mind; piercing every lobe, scratching every surface.


       “And I am not going to condone this.”




Her mother continues as her daughter’s eyes swell up with tears. 



How could they not be real when she has felt their own heartbeat? Heard their own voice? Become their best friend? 
How could they have possibly not been real?






            “If you bring this up again,” 
her mother continued,


        “You will be grounded. You’re things will be taken.”




 By then the daughter is in her world. Thinking to herself once more 
‘How could they not be real? 
                          They’re here. Now, even.’




 Until her mother’s fierce words snap her back to reality. 




    Or we will take you back to the hospital.