Ruth

Ruth was an old woman who knew a little girl named Adira that she loved dearly. She helped the little girl pick out her clothes, she held her hand when she was scared in the dark, and she played chess with her. She was practically her grandmother.
Adira was a seven year old girl who had an friend named Ruth. Ruth was a very nice woman, but she always had this sad smile on her face, and she never spoke. Adira loved Ruth like the grandmother she never had.
No one ever seemed to acknowledge Ruth. Adira thought they were being rude at first, but then she overheard a conversation of her mother's where she referred to Ruth as "imaginary."
(Based on a true story.)