Healed

The atmosphere outside was enveloped in darkness as ominous storm clouds loomed overhead, foretelling the imminent arrival of a great storm. Inside the cozy living room, Barbie and Cassie were engrossed in a movie, seeking refuge from the impending tempest. Meanwhile, Michael found entertainment in playing with Lila, a playful scene unfolding amidst the gathering gloom.

Barbie’s attention was fixed on the television screen, her gaze unwavering as she absently reached for a bowl of chips within arm’s reach. Delving her hand into the crisp contents, she extracted a generous handful of chips and promptly indulged in the savory delight, her focus entirely on the unfolding on-screen drama.

Cassie, observing Barbie’s intense engagement with the movie, couldn’t help but voice her thoughts on the plot. “I don’t know why someone would just decide to waste their life stalking a person,” Cassie remarked, directing her commentary at the fictional events unfolding. However, Barbie, immersed in the on-screen narrative, offered no response to Cassie’s musings.

Undeterred, Cassie sought to reclaim Barbie’s attention. “Barbie, did you hear what I said?” she inquired, punctuating her question with a subtle pinch to Barbie’s arm. Barbie, jolted by the unexpected touch, emitted a yelp of pain before turning her gaze toward Cassie.

“What was that for?” Barbie growled, perturbed by the intrusion. Ignoring Barbie’s vexation, Cassie seized the bowl of chips, asserting her point by extracting a handful for herself, the crunchy munch serving as an accompaniment to her continued commentary. “That’s for not answering me,” Cassie reprimanded with a mouthful, attempting to bridge the gap between the movie and their shared reality.

Surveying the room, Barbie’s eyes alighted upon Michael and Lila engaged in play with a stuffed animal. Determined to momentarily break away from the captivating narrative on the screen, Barbie ambled towards the duo

"Michael, come here," she called out, prompting him to swiftly rise from the floor and make his way towards her, where she scooped him up in her arms.

Recalling a past encounter, Barbie queried, "Do you remember that man who was with you the day Cassie and I arrived late?" Michael nodded in acknowledgment.

Curiosity lingering in her gaze, she pressed on, "What did he say to you when he came?" Her eyes remained fixed on Michael, who fidgeted with his fingers while lost in his thoughts.

"He's my new friend, Matu," Michael responded, his pronunciation of the name eliciting a chuckle from Barbie. "Matu," she repeated with a laugh.

"Yeah," Michael innocently affirmed. Seeking more details, Barbie continued, "Did he ask you anything?"

Cassie, momentarily diverted from the movie, turned her attention towards them, curious about the conversation unfolding.

"He asked where my mummy is, and I said she was gone," Michael confessed, his innocence evident in his words.

Barbie's breath seized as she processed this revelation. "How did you know?" she gasped, grappling with the reality of the situation.

"Aunty Ruth told me they are gone," Michael stated matter-of-factly, earning an internal curse from Barbie directed at Aunty Ruth.

The narrative took a poignant turn as Michael continued, "New friend Matu said mummy is gonna come soon, maybe she is busy."

Refusing to accept false hope, Michael added tearfully, "I said no, Matu. Mom and Dad, they're never coming back. We are alone now, nobody coming," his words punctuated by his emotional outburst. The weight of the truth hung heavy in the air, casting a somber mood over the room.

"I miss mommy and daddy!" Michael's cries echoed, his wide-open mouth a testament to the depth of his sorrow. Cassie, noticing the distress, swiftly approached them.

"What's wrong? Why is my baby crying?" she inquired, lifting Michael from Barbie's arms.

"I miss mommy," he tearfully confided to Cassie, prompting a gasp of concern from her.

Curious and worried, Cassie muttered to Barbie, "How did he know?"

"That witch told him," Barbie growled, her disdain evident in her words.

Seeking to console the distressed child, Cassie reassured him, "Everything's gonna be fine," as she lightly caressed his back.

Curiosity lingering, Cassie redirected her attention to Barbie. "Why do you keep asking about that man?" she questioned, recalling the source of Michael's distress.

Barbie's eyes scanned the room, seemingly avoiding Cassie's inquiry. Frowning, Cassie persisted, "Barbie, I'm talking to you."

"NOTHING, okay!" Barbie erupted, her tone catching Cassie off guard.

Unwilling to accept this deflection, Cassie asserted, "What do you mean by nothing? You keep asking about that man to the extent it made Michael cry!" She held Michael protectively as she confronted Barbie.

Barbie, maintaining a calm demeanor, responded, "Nothing. I just wanna know what that man asked him." Cassie, skeptical, scoffed.

"Don't lie to me, Barbie," Cassie warned with a hint of doubt.

"Fine, that man is bad news. He is a bad person," Barbie blurted out, revealing the gravity of her concerns about the mysterious figure in Michael's life.

"How can you call someone you just met a bad person? He even stayed with Michael until we got there, ensuring he was safe, and you label him a bad person?" Cassie shot Barbie an incredulous look, prompting Michael to raise his head in confusion.

"Stop fighting, Barbie. Matu isn't bad. He bought me ice cream when I was crying and cleaned my tears," Michael chimed in, sharing his positive experience with Matu.

In Barbie's mind, a whirlwind of thoughts swirled. She hesitated to disclose that Mark wasn't a stranger to her, especially considering their less-than-friendly encounter in the past. Recalling his threat after she slapped him, she grappled with the inconsistency of his behavior, wondering why he was being kind to Michael.

Lost in contemplation, Barbie was snapped back to reality when Cassie audibly snapped her fingers. "I'm sorry for yelling at you, Cassie, and making Michael cry. It's just that I don't have a good feeling about that man," Barbie apologized, wearing a sad expression. Cassie, understanding, placed a comforting hand on Barbie's shoulder.

"It's fine. Just tell me if something is bothering you. Besides, what's the possibility you're ever gonna see him again?" Cassie reassured her.

"Thanks, Cassie," Barbie smiled, though Cassie couldn't help but roll her eyes at the lingering uncertainty that surrounded Mark and Barbie's unease.

"What?" Cassie gave her a questioning look.

"Do you think I will let you go easily?" Cassie scoffed.

"What do you mean?" Barbie was confused.

"Well, for yelling at me and making my baby cry, you will have to make it up to us," Cassie explained.

"Alright, what can I do for you two?" Barbie questioned.

"Well, since the weather is cold and I need something hot, you will have to prepare corn dogs with cheese," Cassie excitedly uttered.

"Okay, your majesty," Barbie bowed a little before heading towards the kitchen.

A few hours later, Cassie and Michael were engrossed in Michael’s favorite cartoon. Barbie emerged from the kitchen with a tray filled with cheesy corn dogs.

"Alright, my apology is ready," Barbie announced, earning a bark from Lilo, which made her giggle.

Cassie stood up and went to meet her, staring at her intensely.

"I will be the judge of that," she uttered before taking a corn dog.

She took a bite, and as the cheese stretched out, Cassie gave a thumbs up to Michael, signaling it was good.

"So, do you guys forgive me?" Barbie asked, handing Michael a corn dog.

"Do you forgive the swine?" Cassie asked him.

"Yes," Michael excitedly said, waving his corn dog in the air.

"You are forgiven, your royal swine," Cassie giggled.

"Thanks, your royal troll," Barbie replied, playfully holding her gown and squatting down a little.

"Now let's eat these babies up!" Cassie yelled, and Michael jumped up happily.

A few minutes later, the rain stopped, and Michael was peacefully sleeping on Cassie's leg while Barbie cleaned the kitchen she had messed up earlier.

Suddenly, Barbie's phone began ringing beside Cassie. She picked up the phone and glanced at Barbie, who was still in the kitchen. Seeing the caller ID as "unknown," Cassie answered the call out of curiosity.

"Hello!"

"Who is this?"

"Who are you?" Cassie yelled, irritated by the lack of response from the caller.

Wondering why Cassie was shouting, Barbie gasped when she saw her with her phone and immediately rushed to her.

Before Barbie could take the phone from Cassie, the caller chuckled from the other end, capturing the attention of both women.

"

You're not my Barbie, bitch!" The voice of a man echoed, causing Cassie to frown and Barbie to feel a sudden wave of fear.