What a Doll! Read Online Free PDF

always said. She knew it would upset her mother if
she told her that she hated Lizzy. But standing there in this
weird back room with this old woman, that’s exactly what she felt. She hated
Lizzy.
    â€œYeah, I really do,” Emmy said. It felt so good to admit it.
Then she tried saying it out loud. “I hate her.”
    The woman seemed proud of Emmy for admitting the truth. “I think I
have just what you need,” she said, folding her arms across her chest, standing
back, and looking Emmy up and down. Then she pointed to the shelf with the small dolls
on it.
    Emmy stared at the shelf. She hadn’t gotten a doll in a few years,
since she’d outgrown them. But these didn’t look like regular dolls. They
were smaller and made completely of cloth, with embroidered faces and button eyes.
    â€œThey’re nice,” Emmy said.
    â€œThey’re more than just nice,” the woman said.
“They’ll keep you company the way a best friend does. I’m sure one
would keep you better company than this former best friend of yours.”
    Emmy highly doubted that, but she did like them. “How much are
they?” she asked the woman.
    â€œLet’s see . . .” The woman took out an
old, dusty calculator from under the counter. She punched in a few numbers and then
said, “With tax . . . four dollars and thirty-two cents.”
    Emmy gasped and held her hand to her mouth.
    â€œWhat is it, Emmy?” The woman spoke to her like they were old
friends.
    â€œThat’s exactly how much I
have—I just counted!” Emmy said.
    â€œThen it was meant to be.” The woman smiled. “Choose
one, Emmy. Choose a little doll.” She led Emmy behind the counter, where Emmy
noticed a candle burning. Emmy looked at all the dolls. They were brightly colored and
handmade. They were all the same shape and size, but had different colors and
embroidered patterns. Without even realizing it, Emmy picked one that looked a lot like
Lizzy, with yellow yarn coming out of its head that had a similar shade as Lizzy’s
blond hair. She took it off the shelf and looked at it closely.
    â€œIs that the doll that is meant for you, Emmy?” the woman
asked in a very serious voice.
    â€œI think so.” Emmy nodded. And as she did, she was absolutely
sure of it.
    â€œThen you must give it a name,” the woman said. “And it
must be the first name that comes into your mind.”
    Well, that was easy.
    â€œAnd you must say it out loud,” the woman added.
    â€œLizzy,” Emmy whispered. She stared at the doll and said it
again, a bit louder this time. “Lizzy.”

CHAPTER 5
    Emmy handed the woman her four dollars and thirty-two cents, stuffed the doll in her backpack, and then stood awkwardly. She knew she should just say thank you and turn to go, but she suddenly felt attached to this woman and this place. It was like a warm cozy little cave, one she wanted to curl up in.
    â€œWell, thanks,” Emmy said to the woman, shifting her weight from foot to foot.
    â€œYou’re welcome, Emmy,” the woman said. “Come back again, will you?”
    â€œSure,” said Emmy. It was nice to be invited back, even if the woman just wanted to sell Emmy stuff. “And by the way, I really like the way it smells in here,” she added. “What is it?”
    The woman smiled knowingly. “It’s lavender,” she said, pointing to the burning candle.
    â€œCool.” Emmy nodded. “Do you have some for sale? Maybe I’ll come back another day and buy some.”
    â€œCertainly,” the woman said. “It’s a dollar a candle. And I have many different scents. Sandalwood, sage, cedar, juniper . . .”
    â€œNo, I love this one. Lavender,” Emmy said.
    â€œLavender is calming,” the woman said. “An excellent tonic for the nerves. And I see you could use such a thing.”
    Emmy