Writing #3

Dollhouse Lessons

by Jody Courtney

(This short story was bought by ActivityConnection.com in July of '06.)

“Seth! I can't believe my eyes! What have you done!” Miranda Phillips gushed as she stared up at the building.

“What? Do you see something interesting?” Seth asked teasingly. He loved poking fun at his mother. ”It's true, Mom! It's our dollhouse built in reality!”

“But I don't understand.” The sight in front of her was a sight to be seen. It was a huge two story building that resembled a house. It had been painted bright purple! It had huge windows of different shapes with electrifying pink trim around them! The front door was lime green, and the roof was a baby blue! Across the building was a professional-looking sign with the word “Possibilities” written in bold gold letters. ”Is this what I think it is?”

“Yes, Mom, it is.” Seth said, “It's an art center- it's yours.” Seth got out of his SUV, opened the passenger's door, and led his mother to the back of the art center.

“The dollhouse! I haven't seen this in years,” Miranda smiled as she knelt on the blanket in which the dollhouse had been placed. “I'm still confused though. You built this art center for me- in the image of this dollhouse? What made you do this?

“Mom, why do you think I built this? I wanted to make your dream of running an art center come true. I am one of the top, most successful architects in the state, and that is because of you. You have always supported me in whatever I pursued. Do you remember when we bought the doll house kit?”

Miranda's eyes lit up, “Of course, I do. It's was your 6'th birthday, and I had saved up enough money to have you pick out a car model kit. You have always loved doing stuff with your hands, and I wanted to do something special for you.” Since Miranda had been a young, single mother,they didn't have many opportunities to spend money on fun things. “Things were hard back then.”

'Yeah, I don't remember those days very well, but I remember missing you a lot,” Seth agreed.

“I had to work a lot of overtime. Thankfully, your grandparents were great about watching and loving you,” Miranda brushed her hand along the side of her son's face. “But who could blame them? You were the cutest little boy around.”

“I was pretty darn cute, wasn't I? And from what I hear, I'm still pretty darn cute!”

“And so modest, too,” Miranda rolled her eyes while smiling. “Anyway, it was your birthday, and we made a day out of it. We went to the park and to your favorite restaurant. Then I took you to the department store.”

“I was so excited! You told me I could pick out any kit I wanted! I remember I saw the Superturbo 9000 Car Model Kit! I was going to get it to show up stupid Bobby Price. He was always bragging about his cool stuff.”

“I didn't know that!”

“Yeah, but then I saw the dollhouse kit. I wanted to get it so that we would have something to work on together.”

“I thought that doing a project together was such a great idea.” Miranda's eyes teared as she remembered her son's attempt to get more attention from her. After all, how many boys would pick out a dollhouse kit just to be able to spend more time with his mother?

“Well, I guess I was more than cute back then, huh? I was also quite clever,” Seth said with a playful grin. “We had some pretty great times putting this dollhouse together, didn't we? You gave me full creative power. If I wanted a green door and pink trim, you supported me without hesitation. When I wanted to change the shapes of the windows, you praised me for the idea. Nothing was too wild or off limits! “

“Those Saturday afternoons remain some of my best afternoons ever. I loved watching your creativity. I wanted to encourage it. I wanted you to know that it was ok to create something bold and unconventional. I wanted you to learn that it was ok for you to be unconventional.”

Seth laughed, sliding his hand across the rooftop, ”I sure did learned to be my own person through this thing. When Grandma tried to encourage me to tone down things, I was able to stand firm by saying that I liked what I was doing. When the neighborhood boys found out I was building a dollhouse with my mom, I was able to brush them off. You taught me to be confident in being creative and different. I think that was why I was able to be both a football player and a chess champion geek in high school. It was how I could so easily fall in love with Mindy Bolts in college. Most guys were turned off by her being in a wheelchair, but I saw her in a different light. I was able to see the beauty that she possessed. My ability to view things 'outside of the box' is why companies continue to seek me out, lending me creative power over any projects I take on. Just like our dollhouse didn't fit any mold, I came to understand that I and others didn't have to fit any certain mold either.”

“Exactly! That is what I wanted to convey to you at an early age,” Miranda said, smiling to herself. Little did anyone know that it wasn't just a lesson she wanted Seth to learn. It had taken a lot of courage for her to go to college and obtain a social work degree. Seth had turned ten when Miranda decided to go for it. Many people thought it would be more practical for Miranda to become a secretary. It would have taken far less training and would have required less responsibility. Miranda, however, was determined to follow her own instincts on the matter.

As though Seth had the ability to read her thoughts, he said, “I thought it was so cool that you became a social worker to help other people to look past their circumstances and realize their own possibilities.”

“Yes, I really wanted to help people in that way. Unfortunately after working as a social worker for a few years, I realized that there were too many restrictions placed on me and my clients to really make a difference.”

“I remember Grandpa almost fainted when you told him you were quitting your job to pursue alternative ways to help people!”

“I knew giving up that job wasn't a conventional choice, but I truly believe there had to be a better way to encourage people. I began to brainstorm, and my mind went back to this dollhouse. That was when I had realized it was through tapping into our creativity that people can stretch beyond their perceived limitations!”

“A bold and ingenious idea! Not that I am bias or anything.”

“You are not bias. You just admire genius when you see it,” Miranda smiled. “Anyway, I got a job at an art center. I went out into the neighborhoods and encouraged single mothers and their children to take art classes. Sure enough, their outlooks on life and their self-confidences greatly improved. Through their creative outlets, the women saw they could be more than what they once believed. Some decided to start college; others were able to break away from harmful relationships. Kids weren't acting up as much, and teenagers found alternative ways to deal with their issues.”

“And That is why I used my connections to get this center, Mom. The way you are able to pull people out of their boxes is amazing. With this center, you will have the opportunity to expand your programs. Not only that, but you will be the executive director. You can run things as you see fit.”

“This is so overwhelming,” Miranda said as she stared at the art center. “I love it, Seth! It seems fitting that it has been built in the image of the dollhouse. The design makes a bold statement too.”

“I know, I know, I'm a genius. Is there no end to my talents?”

“Modesty. They end with your ability to be modest,” Miranda laughed as she pushed her son over. “So, may I assume that the inside is as outrageous as the outside?”

“Well, of course!” Seth opened the dollhouse to remind her of the work they did twenty years earlier. Not surprisingly, the rooms were bold and bright. “The reality should be worthy of the inspiration. The interior of the center is wild and fun. You will also be glad to know that the center is equipped in such a way as to bring out anyone's creativity-even George's!”

Miranda laughed yet again. George was her husband of eight years. She and Seth loved making fun of George for his total lack of imagination. “I suppose George had to be involved with this little adventure in order to keep me in the dark of all of this.”

“Yes, he was! However, you must admit, Mom, it is not terribly hard to pull the wool over your eyes. I remember I used to take the car out after you fell asleep. You had no idea for the longest time!”

Before Miranda could respond, two teenagers approached them. “Hey, what is this freakish building about?”

“It's a new art center called “Possibilities”. Its goal is to help people break out of their comfort zones in order to help them find the possibilities that lay within them.”I'm Seth Taylor, and this is my mother Miranda Phillips.” He extended his hand with a warm smile, “I built this center, but she is the one who will be running it.”

“I'm Max, and this is Tim.” both Max and Tim looked skeptical but kind of curious, “Seems a bit lame to me.”

“Yes, it probably does seem a bit lame to you,” Miranda was used to this kind of reaction. “However, why don't you give us a try? Call me in a few weeks, and I'll give you a tour. I can explain what we have to offer. Perhaps you guys could even think of a few ideas we could implement.

“Sure, I guess we could do that.” Max responded.

“Hey,” Tim asked, “how did you come up with this freaky design anyway?”

“Good question.” Seth turned the dollhouse so that it faced the teenagers. ”Believe it or not, it started with this dollhouse ......”