A life with and without choice.

Imagination of the perfect life Part 11

The sense of excitement Jo felt was overwhelming. They were being wheeled to the play room. Despite their complaints and the short distance, they still had to go in a chair, they understood as they hadn't been up for a long time. Once inside the room it was bright and colourful with a range of toys, dolls houses and other captivating crafts that just made Jo smile and gaze around.

Jo was a little overwhelmed by the choice but was quickly drawn to the dolls house in one corner. This time their request to get out of the chair was accepted and they knelt in front of the house. Their mum whispered that they would leave them to play while they took some clothes to get washed. Jo nodded and said 'Yes mum.' They had no idea what she had said as they were lost in their thoughts.

The dolls house had some rooms which were laid out neatly with furniture and a family. The dining room had a meal set out waiting to be served. The places ready and the family sitting in their chairs and even the baby in a high chair. Jo observed and imagined being home and living through a similar scene.

Most of the bedrooms on the top floor had a similar complete set up. The baby was in a cot. There was no surprise for Jo that the baby could be in two rooms at once. The imagination switching quickly to a different day and the baby waking with excitement to be home and ready for a day of fun and playing.

Jo now scanned the house and saw a lounge with fireplace was almost empty. This was their chance to add to the layout and decoration. A number of boxes held furniture another the dolls and some small boxes held a range of tiny items for detailed decoration.

Jo set to work choosing the style and colour theme. There were even some rugs. They spotted their mistake and removed the few items of furniture and laid the rug in front of the fire. Then replaced the few items in place. Just as Jo was about to place the father figure in an armchair facing the fire two voice rang out and shouts echoed before them.

'Wait, what are you doing?' One called

'That is our house. We have been designing it all week.' The second declared.

Jo lowered their head and blushed. They hadn't thought about how the house had become the way it was. They had just drifted in their imagination to create a narrative and storyline of the lives of those living inside.

'You haven't changed anything have you?' The first voice continued.

'We have spent hours designing each room.' The taller figure declared.

Jo was close to tears, burning red with shame. How silly they had been. They wouldn't want them in their game. These two girls one tall the other slim and shorter, but both much taller than Jo.

'I'm sorry. I was just looking and imagining how the family have woken and are getting ready to go on holiday. I saw the car and roof rack ready to go camping and was just thinking how beautiful it looks. Then I saw the empty lounge and imagined Daddy sitting by the fire reading his paper before they head off.' Jo explained. 'I thought the empty room should look like this.' They continued to explain.

Silence as the two older girls listened to Jo. The two looked on in shock and as Jo began to worry that they had spoiled their game the two looked at each other and both nodded at the same time.

'That is amazing. You just told us the story that we are making. Exactly as we have been making it.' How did you know.

Jo explained the rest of the story she just saw and imagined and the others continued to listen as Jo, lost themselves in the story and imagination. Finishing with a couple of thoughts. There needs to be a big sister in this room upstairs and I found this lovely dog to sit by the fire at Daddy's feet. He could be their pet and the baby should be a girl as this dress is much cuter than the boy clothes.

Nods and agreement. Then they added their own ideas. Then the oldest girl look serious and turned to Jo.

'We both are going home today, hopefully. If the Doctor agrees in morning ward rounds. We came in here to try and finish the house. I have an idea though. Maybe we play and you can finish it for us. You have such a great idea of what is needed? Do you agree Rebecca?' She asked turning to the other.

'Yes, you must. We won't be able to finish it and haven't had the chance to play with the tent and campsite part yet, have we Sally?' 

'Please say you will. It would be lovely to know the house will continue once we go home.' Sally stated with a warm smile.

Jo was amazed, they had been accepted and offered the chance to play a with the others and this beautiful doll house just as they were sure they would be rejected.

'Yes of course, I would love to. Thank you so much.' So the next ten minutes passed it felt like hours and days as they played so naturally calling out their ideas and adventures. Having three like minded directors the campsite was set and dressed and the playing of a fire and the family sitting around was complete in the blink of an eye. The car had held everything, just the big sister and dog had to be added.

'Come on you two the doctor is coming. You do want to be discharged don't you?' A sing song voice called from the corridor.

Two voices replied in unison. 'Yes, but it is such a shame to leave the dolls house behind and we have only just met Jo.' Bye for now Jo they called as they vanished back to the main ward.

The next thing Jo knew was a gentle stroking of her cheeks and mum whispering to wake up and come back to bed. 'You can't sleep in the play room on the giant teddy bear.' Mum declared. They had been using the giant teddy bear as a chair.'

Jo was so tired. Had they dreamed about Rebecca and Sally and playing together? As mum scooped them up and gave them a gentle but warming hug they caught a glimpse of a fireside scene of a family toasting marshmallows. Their heart flowed it must have been real. A smile flickered over their face as the perfume of mum sent them back to sleep to dream of Timmy the dog resting his head on her lap.