Shirley Temple Short Stories 2 Shirley type children's stories (Picture: Rag Doll)

See Stories: Little Missy, Poor Little Rag Doll, Little Miss Hollywood, The Little Major, The Littlest Diplomat, The Littlest Sailor, The Littlest Fire Fighter

POOR LITTLE RAG DOLL - By Rex W. Clark, May 15, 2005
(Dedicated to all the Samantha Runions)

Chapter 1 - The Market

On a cool summer morning just before sunrise in 1935 at Los Angeles farmers market, an elderly man of Jewish descent was busy putting out fresh produce in preparation for the day’s usual customers who would come to buy the best produce before the daily crowds of shoppers would arrive elbowing, pushing, and shoving their way as they would pick the best that had been remaining. As a pretty young red head was unloading a model A flat bed truck full of freshly picked produce, a dark headed man about the same age was stacking the crates of apples, Idaho potatoes, spinach, onions, bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, eggplant, and many other types of produce. The elderly man was busy putting them out on several tables and boxes until the fruit was stacked high in the shape of a pyramid, then the remaining crates would be stacked on wooden pallets behind the boxes and tables. The elderly man was putting some fresh apples into one of the boxes when out of the corner of his eye he saw something that quickly moved. As he turned around to get more apples he dropped two on the ground one of which was distinctly redder than the rest. As he was turning back around to gather more apples he again saw the quick movement of something but couldn’t quite make it out because it was still dark. When he turned back around he saw that the reddest of the apples he had dropped on the ground was now missing, he looked around on the floor and scratched his head as he curiously asked, “What the??” He put out the remaining apples and then moved over to the crates of ripe peaches and began putting them out. After a couple of minutes he again saw the same quick movement. He turned back around to gather more peaches when he saw an apple core sitting next to a crate of apples. He made a very angry face as he said out loud, “It seems as if there’s a thief stealing some of my produce just let me catch him I’ll teach him to steal from me.”

As he continued putting out more peaches he saw a hand quickly move behind a sheet that was covering the table that the box of peaches were sitting on. He leaned down and grabbed a hand and pulled a little girl with scuffed shoes, a dirty tattered blue dress, covered with dirt head to toe, and topped off with a head of dirty wavy hair out from under a table as he angrily said, “I’ll teach you to steal from me.” The frightened and dirty little girl broke from his grip, dropped the peach as she tried to run but was blocked by the elderly angry man as he said, “Oh no the only place you’re going is to the cops, I’ll teach you to steal from me, but first I’m going to tan your hide.” The frightened little girl nervously looked around the produce stand for a way out as she frantically looked from side to side and then backed into a corner where the apple boxes and peaches came together. She began shaking her head as tears began streaming down her face, while saying, “No, no, please don’t hurt me, I want my daddy, I want to go home”

As the angry man reached out to grab her she quickly ducked under a table. The other man quickly put down the crate of peaches he was holding, ran around, pushed the elderly man aside and knelt down and looked under the table into the frightened dirty little girl’s face wet with tears, revealing two distinct tracks down her cheeks. The man angrily said as he held out his hand, “Come on out it’s ok we just want to talk to you. ”The little girl pulled away as the man continued, “Be a good girl and come on out.” Again the little girl pulled away as the man grabbed her hand and pulled her out from under the table. The little girl began kicking and crying as the elderly man now seated on am empty crate grabbed her and began to pull her over his knee and picked up a two inch wide plank to spank her with

Chapter 2 - Rescued

The red headed lady quickly came and pulled the little girl away from him, held her close as she angrily said, “You two should be ashamed of yourselves, look you’ve frightened her.” The little girl continued to cry as the lady gently said as she rubbed her back, “Shhh, shhh it’s ok no one’s going to hurt you.” The little girl continued crying as the lady angrily said to the two men, “All she wanted was something to eat.” The elderly man angrily said, “She can pay for it just like everyone else.” The lady angrily asked, “How is she going to pay when she doesn’t have money or even a home?” The elderly man angrily said, “That’s no concern of mine either she pays for it or she goes to the cops.” The lady stood up, reached into the pocket of her jeans, pulled out a penny and threw at the man as she angrily said, “Don’t spend it all in one place.” She then took the little girl by the hand who had stopped crying and led her to a small café across the street as the elderly man shouted after her, “Where do you think you’re going come back here and help us unload this truck?” She shouted back, “Unload it yourself.” The man threw his hands into the air while spouting a line of obscenities and then continued putting out the rest of the produce

Chapter 3 - Breakfast

The kind-hearted lady led the little girl to a booth inside the café, then as the two of them sat down she cheerfully said, “I don’t know about you but I think I’ll have some bacon, eggs, toast, and a great big glass of fresh milk.” The little girl looked down at the napkin neatly folded on the table then looked up at the lady with sad pitiful eyes that burned right through her heart to her very soul. The lady put her hand on the little girl’s hand as she softly said, “It’s ok I’m not going to let anything happen to you, I’m going to take care of you.” The lady then asked, “Where are your parents?” The little girl sadly replied, “My mommy went away to heaven.” The lady then asked, “Oh I’m so sorry, then where’s your father?” The little girl sadly replied, “I don’t know one day he took me to the movie theatre and said that he would be right back but he never came back.” The lady put her other hand on the little girl’s other hand and softly said, “If you like, I’ll help you look for your father.” She then smiled as she continued, “While we’re trying to find your father you can stay with me at my place.” The little girl looked up with the most adorable smile complete with a pair of dimples and said, “Oh I’d like that very much, if I could find my daddy I won’t have to sleep in that old box anymore I could have my very own bed back.” The lady then said, “You’ll have your very own bed while you’re staying at my place.” The little girl smiled as she asked, “Can my dolly come too?” The lady’s heart was melting as she replied, “Oh course your dolly can come.”

About that time the waitress brought two glasses of water, set them on the table before the lady and the little girl as she asked, “Hey sweetie pie did you come from a costume party or something?” The little girl hung her head as she sadly replied, “No my daddy went away a long time ago, he said he would be right back but he never came back.” The waitresses heart broke when she heard the little girl’s story and then said to her, “Oh you poor little rag doll, I’d love to have a little girl like you.” The little girl looked up into the waitresses eyes and said, “Thank you but I have to find my daddy.” The waitress smiled as she said, “I hope you do find your daddy and when you do you make sure you come back and tell me.” The little girl smiled as she said, “I promise I’ll come back and tell you when I find him.” The waitress then dipped a cloth she had in her apron into a small glass of water on another table and wiped the dirt off the little girl’s face and said, “Oh my there’s such a pretty little girl beneath all that.” The other lady smiled as she said, “After we’ve had breakfast we’re going shopping to buy her a whole new wardrobe then after I get her home to my place I’m going to give her a warm bubble bath.” The little girl smiled as she said, “Oh goody, goody.” The waitress apologetically said, “Where’s my manners I haven’t even asked your name.” The little girl smiled as she said, “My name is Samantha what’s yours?” The waitress smiled as she replied, “I’m Bonnie.” The other lady that rescued Samantha said, “And I’m Rosanna but everyone calls me Rose.” Bonnie smiled and asked as she took out her order pad, “Well Rose and Samantha, what could I get the two of you for breakfast?” Rose replied, “We’ll take two orders of bacon, eggs, toast, and a two large glasses of milk.” Bonnie took their order then smiled as she said, “Because this is your first time here and you’ll need the money to find your daddy with, breakfast is on the house.” Samantha smiled as she said to Bonnie, “Oh thank you.”

As Bonnie had left to have the cook prepare their order, Rose asked, “How old are you Samantha?” Samantha replied, “I guess I’m six, my birthday was supposed to be sometimes this summer but I don’t know what month it is or even what day it is.” Rose curiously asked, “You don’t know when your birthday is?” Samantha smiled as she replied, “No silly I mean I don’t know what month it is now or even what day it is.” Rose said, “It’s the first week of July and today is Tuesday.” Samantha hung her head as she sadly said, “My birthday is July 10th I wish my mommy was here.” Rose sadly said, “I’m sure you must miss your mother a great deal.” Samantha sadly said, “Before she went away to heaven she said she would buy me a pair of roller skates for my sixth birthday.” Rose smiled as she said, “I’ll make sure your mother gets her wish and I’ll try my very best to make your birthday just like your mother would.” Samantha’s smile beamed as she asked, “You mean I’ll really get a pair of roller skates for my birthday?” Rose smiled as her voice was filled with excitement, “Yes and we’ll have a great big birthday cake with lots of ice cream.” Samantha jumped in her seat, her smile now really beamed as she said, “Oh how wonderful and you can be my pretend to-be mommy,” Samantha’s smile disappeared, her voice was sad as she continued, “But what about my daddy, I have to find my daddy so he can sing happy birthday to me like he always did for my birthday.” Rose squeezed Samantha’s hand as she reassured her, “We’ll try very hard to find your daddy before your birthday.” Samantha sadly and curiously asked, “How are you going to look for him?” Rose smiled as she replied; “My boyfriend is a private investigator he can find most anyone even if they don’t want to be found.” Samantha’s face was full of concern as she said, “I hope my daddy wants me to find him he needs me and I love him and I need him too.” Rose again reassured Samantha, “Perhaps there were some bad people after him and he had to go away to protect you from them.” Rose looked down then back up and with her face filled with intense concentration as she said; “My daddy said when he left me at the theatre that some bad men wanted to hurt him, he had to hide and that he would be right back to get me when the movie was over but he never came back.” Samantha’s voice was filled with even more concern as she went on to ask, “Do you think my daddy’s alright and he’s still hiding from those bad men?” Rose continued to reassure Samantha as she said, “My boyfriend will do everything he can to find your father then he’ll make those bad men sorry for what happened to you and your father.” Samantha’s face was filled with anger as she said as she gestured with her fists, “I’m so mad at those bad men oohh I just want to beat them all up.” Rose tried to hide a smile because despite the fact that Samantha was genuinely angry, she looked so adorable when she made that cute angry face and punched the air with her fists. Rose smiled as she said, “Don’t worry my boyfriend will see to it that those bad men get what they have coming to them.” Samantha held up her fist as she said, “ Oohh I’m going to give them a knuckle sandwich.” Rose laughed as she said, “You get em girl.”

Chapter 4 - A Day of Shopping

Later after breakfast, Rose and Samantha were at a clothing store. Samantha saw a cute pink and white outfit with a matching coat and shoes. She pulled Rose over to the outfit hanging next to a rack of other dresses and looked up at her. Rose smiled and said, “You must really like it.” Samantha smiled as she said, “It’s the most beautifulest dress that I have ever seen.” The store’s attendant, a middle-aged lady smiled as she said, “It’s one of our most popular outfits.” Rose looked down at Samantha who looked at her own tattered, faded blue dress and scuffed shoes. Rose then smiled as she said to the attendant, “We’ll take it.” The attendant smiled as she asked, “Shall I help your little girl as she puts it on?” Samantha took one step back as she said, “Oh no I have to take a bath before I can wear it I don’t want to get it dirty.” The attendant smiled as she said, “Ok then I’ll wrap it up for you.” Rose looked at the other dresses and outfits as she said, “We still have a lot more shopping to do.” Samantha asked, “Are you buying some outfits for yourself too?” Rose replied, “No darling we’re just getting a few for you along with new shoes, panties, and some warm pajamas to sleep in.” Samantha jumped as she cheerfully said, “Oh thank you.” Her brow then wrinkled as she asked “My Dolly, oh no what about my dolly her dress is dirty and torn just like mine, she might get really jealous if I don’t bring her a new one too?” Rose laughed as she said, “We’ll get your dolly some new dresses as well, speaking of your dolly I don’t think you introduced me to her yet.” Samantha looked her in the eyes as she said; “I left her in the box that we live in, she’s still sleeping I better hurry back before she wakes up she might get afraid being in that box all by her self.” Rose lovingly said, “Then we had better hurry and finish our shopping before she wakes up, I’m sure she’d be just as excited as you are about having some new outfits and her very own bed to sleep in.” Samantha had a very concerned look as she said, “Oh she’s much too young for her very own bed she still sleeps with me and I to sing to her a lullaby so she can go to sleep that’s what my mommy used to do for me before she went away to heaven.” Rose felt her heart aching as she said, “It sounds like your mother was a very loving mother I know you must miss her a lot.” Samantha looked into her eyes as she said, “Every night before I go to sleep I ask God to take very good care of her and to tell her I love her, but for now you can be my pretend to-be mommy until I find me a new mommy to take care of me and my dolly.” Rose brushed some hair out of Samantha’s eyes as she lovingly said, “I’ll try my very best to be worthy of that role.”

Chapter 5 - Warm Bubble Bath

Later at Rose’s home, Samantha was splashing in a warm bubble bath as Rose said “Close your eyes.” then began pouring a bottle of shampoo over Samantha’s head and then began to massage her curls into a rich lather. She then filled a large pitcher with warm water and said, “Close your eyes.” As she began pouring the water over her head revealing natural blonde wavy hair that shimmered. She lovingly said, “Oh my there really is a very pretty little girl under all that.”

About that time there was a knock on the bathroom door as a handsome man in his mid twenties wearing a brown hat slightly cocked to one side stepped in and said, “I rang the door bell, shouted and then pounded on the front door, it was open so I came on in, hey where’d you get the baby?” Rose smiled as she replied, “I found her at the market this morning,” The man gave Rose a strange look as she continued; “It’s a long story I’ll tell you about it later.” Samantha looked at him defensively as she said, “I’m not a baby I’m almost six years old thank you.” The man laughed as he said, “Well excuse me I certainly didn’t mean to insult you.” Samantha smiled as she said, “That’s ok.” Rose smiled as she said, “Mike, this is Samantha, and Samantha this is Mike my boyfriend.” Samantha looked at him with one eye open as soap ran into her other eye and asked, “Are you a policeman?” Mike smiled as he replied; “No little darling I’m a private investigator.” Samantha asked, “What’s a private investi, investi, or what ever you are?” Mike laughed as he corrected her, “Investigator, I look for clues to solve crimes and find lost people.” Samantha leaned on the edge of the tub on one elbow as she said, “Mr. if you can find my daddy and make those bad men who wanted to hurt him sorry then I’ll be your best friend for ever.” Mike chuckled as he said, “You got a bet.” Samantha held out her hand as she asked; “Shake?” Mike shook her hand as he said; “Shake.” Mike then turned his head slightly to the side as he asked, “I charge a pretty good fee. How are you going to pay me for my services?” Samantha looked at Rose and then replied; “I’ll give you a hug as Rose smothers you with lots of kisses.” Mike smiled as he looked at Rose and said, “Well with an offer like that I’ll try my very best to find your daddy.” Samantha looked him in the eye as she asked; “What about those bad men?” Mike replied, “I’ll beat them all up for you.” Samantha held up her fist and made a cut angry face as she said, “You be sure and give them all a knuckle sandwich from me.” Mike and Rose both laughed as Samantha’s smile beamed.

Chapter 6 - All Dolled Up

After Samantha’s bath Rose had finished putting two pink bows in Samantha’s hair and hugged her as she said, “Oh my goodness you’re such a pretty little girl I might just keep you all to my self.” Samantha looked her as she said, “You can keep me until we find my daddy then if you still want to keep me then you’ll have to,” Samantha made a cute face, “You know,” She held up her left hand, “You’ll have to marry my daddy if you really in truly want to keep me.” Rose smiled as she cheerfully said as she gently pinched the end of her nose, “You silly girl I already have a boy friend but it doesn’t mean that you can’t visit me everyday and call me Aunt Rose.” Samantha smiled as she said, “Oh I’d like that very much.” Rose then said, “We had better go get your dolly before she wakes up and begins to worry about you.” Samantha gasped as she said, “Oh my goodness I almost forgot about her she must be awfully worried about me.” Rose said as she put one of Samantha’s arms into a sleeve of a coat that went with her outfit, “We’ll go right now.”

As the two of them were coming into the living room where Mike had been reading the newspaper, Mike put the paper down, whistled and said, “Oh my goodness, you’ve got to be the prettiest female I’ve seen in a long time.” Samantha smiled and spun around as she asked, “You like it.” He hoisted her up into his arms as he said, “You are simply adorable.” He then smiled as he teased, “Can I keep you all to my self?” Samantha laughed as she replied, “You’d better get in line, Rose wants to keep me, but I told her she’d have to marry my daddy but she said she already had a boy friend.” Mike looked at Rose with a curious face as he asked, “You have a boy friend, who?” Rose punched him on the arm as she said, “You silly goose, you.” Samantha laughed as Mike teased, “I thought you were two timing me.” Rose made an angry face as she teased, “Why I ought to pin your ears back.” Mike held Samantha in front of himself as he teased, “You wouldn’t hit a man while he’s holding a baby would you?” Samantha defensively said as she pulled on one of his ears, “I’m not a baby I’m almost six years old.” Mike yelped as Rose laughed and then said, “You’d better watch out she’s a little fire ball.” Mike teased, “You wouldn’t really hurt little ol me?” Samantha shook her finger at him as she replied, “If you ever call me a baby again I’ll pin your ears back.” Mike burst out laughing and then kissed her on the cheek and said, “I promise I won’t call you a baby if you promise not to pin my ears back.” Samantha held out her hand as she asked, “Shake.” Mike shook her hand as he replied, “Shake.” Samantha smiled as she said, “You’re almost good enough to be a daddy.” Mike smiled as he said, “Why that’s the best compliment I’ve ever had.”

Chapter 7 - Samantha's Open House

Later Samantha was walking hand in hand with Rose down a dirty back alley near the farmer’s market. As they passed several drunken men sleeping and several garbage cans some lying on their side with their contents strewn about, they came to a large wooden box covered with a dirty sheet. Samantha pulled the sheet back revealing a dirty blanket laying on the pavement and a dirty doll wearing a dirty yellow dress and long blonde hair. She humbly said, “This in where my dolly and I sleep.” Mike and Rose looked at one another with a sad pitiful look as Samantha picked up her doll and began speaking to it, “I’m sorry I took so long, I had to go find something to eat, but I ran into this real nice lady who said she would take very good care of us until we find my daddy so you be a good girl and say thank you.” Samantha looked up at Mike and Rose, smiled and said, “Molly said to tell you thank you and you’re very nice for helping us.” Rose’s voice almost broke as she said, “Tell Molly that she’s very welcome and that I’ll take care of the two of you for as long as it takes to find your daddy.” Samantha put her ear up to her doll’s mouth for a few seconds and then turned her head and said to Rose, “Molly said that you are very kind,” She picked up her doll, “And she said she wants to give you a kiss for being so kind,” She pressed the dolls lips against Rose’s face and said, “Mmmach.” Rose’s eyes began to fill with tears as she brushed the doll’s hair with her hand. Samantha had a curious look on her face as she asked, “Why are you crying?” Rose wiped a tear from her eye as she replied, “It’s hard for me to think that you and Molly had to live like this and hunt for food in the streets just to survive.” Samantha smiled and put her hand on Rose’s arm as she said, “Oh I always had plenty to eat, why the nice man at the bakery would always put bread out next to the garbage cans almost every day and a nice lady at the café around the corner would always put out hot fresh food and soup from the kitchen but sometimes I would get there too late because the men who drank all the time would eat it all up and I would have to get up really early the next day and go to the farmer’s market and pick up fruit that had fallen on the ground, but then that mean old man took over, he wouldn’t let me have anything unless I could pay for it I told him I didn’t have any money and that I only wanted something to eat but he was so mean and sometimes he would yell at me and call me a dirty little beggar then he’d tell to go find something to eat in the trash cans.” Rose wiped more tears as she angrily said, “That horrible old man should be punished, some day I hope he really gets what he has coming to him.” Mike put his hand on Rose’s shoulder as he said, “What goes around comes around you just wait and see.” Rose put her hand on his hand and said, “Don’t go and do something foolish, but rather let nature take its course, someday he’ll get everything in return that he’s been dishing out to Samantha and I’d like to be there when it happens.”

Chapter 8 - Time to get Serious

Mike stooped down and asked Samantha, “Where was the last time you saw your father, and what did he say before he went away?” Samantha replied, “He said he was taking me to see this little girl in the movies about my age and that he would be right back after the movies.” Mike asked, “Why didn’t he stay with you?” Samantha replied, “He said that he couldn’t stay with me because there were some bad men after him.” Mike asked her, “Did he say why they were after him or who they were?” Samantha’s face filled with concentration as she slowly replied, “He said they were after some funny stones that they had dropped when they had robbed a jewelry store and they wanted them back but my daddy said he wanted to do the right thing and take them to the police.” Mike then asked, “How long ago did this all happen, you know when your daddy left you at the theatre?” Samantha replied, “It was right before my birthday because my daddy gave Molly to me for my birthday, he said to take very good care of her and someday she would take very good care of me.” Mike softly said, “I think your daddy was telling you this because he knew that those bad men might catch up to him and that you would be on your own.” Samantha asked, “Why would he give me Molly if he knew that he might not come back for me?” Mike put his hands on her shoulders as he softly replied, “Because he didn’t want you do be too lonely.” Samantha looked Mike in the eyes and asked as a tear ran down her cheek, “Do you think those bad men hurt my daddy.” Mike’s voice almost broke as he replied, “Yes I’m afraid so.” Samantha’s voice broke as she asked, “You mean my daddy went away to heaven?” Mike’s voice finally broke as he replied, “Yes when those bad men caught up to him.” Samantha put her head on Mike’s shoulder and cried as he and Rose comforted her.

Later after Samantha had finished crying, Samantha laid down in the back seat of Mike’s car to take a nap as they drove to Mike’s home. Rose softly asked Mike, “What makes you think that Samantha’s father is dead?” Mike softly replied, “Last July a friend of mine in homicide said they found a man who had been shot to death in a back alley, in his pockets all they found was a picture of a little girl,” He pointed over his shoulder, “This little girl.” Rose’s face filled with compassion and grief as she asked, “Oh no, so what happens to her now?” Mike replied, “She seems to have taken a strong likening to you,” Rose glanced over the seat at Samantha as she said, “I’ve taken a strong likening to her also.” Mike suggested, “You can adopt her or turn her over to child welfare or the police who would see that she’s placed in a public institution.” Rose again glanced over her shoulder at Samantha as she lay sleeping and said, “I can’t possibly allow that to happen to her Oh I’d love to keep her but they might not let me because I’m not married.” Mike said, “I’ll speak to Judge Robinson tomorrow about it, he owes me a few favors.” Rose smiled as she said, “That would be wonderful I’m sure Samantha would feel the same way too.” Mike said, “The next thing I need to do is to find out why Samantha’s father had what ever it was those men were after and if Samantha could identify them.” Rose said, “Samantha said the men had just robbed a Jewelry store and had dropped some of the loot, she said something about funny stones.” Mike interrupted, “I bet they had dropped a necklace or something of great value, but the question is where did Samantha’s father hide it.” Rose’s eyes lit up, her voice was filled with excitement as she said, “Samantha’s doll, perhaps he hid them in Samantha’s doll.” She reached over the seat, picked up Samantha’s doll and squeezed it while turning it over, shook it, then looked under it’s clothing. She then said; “It’s not inside of her doll all I could feel was a lot of stuffing and I couldn’t hear anything rattling inside it’s head when I shook it.” Mike said; “We’ll have to work with her and try to help her remember anything that will lead us to the men who murdered her father so we, or say she can put all this to rest and get on with her life.”

Rose said; “I’m so thankful I was working at the market this week otherwise I would have never found Samantha, there’s no telling what that horrible old man would have done to her if I hadn’t have been there to rescue her from him, I just can’t believe he could get so angry over a one cent apple and want to have a small hungry helpless child put in jail.” Mike said as he turned a corner; “Some people let greed get to the best of them and miss out on some of the greatest blessings that life has to offer.” Rose asked, “What do you mean?” Mike replied, “He could have helped that child and many more like her, God would have returned bountifully what little he could have given but he was too mean and selfish to share what he had with a child who has nothing but who has more than he’s ever had.” Rose looked over the seat at Samantha as she lay sleeping and said; “She’s truly a treasure, she’s taught me that riches of the heart and spirit are of far more value than all the gold and silver the world has to offer.”

Chapter 9 - Samantha's Birthday Party

A couple of days later it was Samantha’s birthday and as promised, Rose had invited all her friends who either had children or who brought their nieces, nephews and included the children of her neighborhood. She ordered a rather large triple layered birthday cake with lots of icing, topped off with six candles and had it delivered. All the children brought gifts, cards and laid them on a table in the living room of Rose’s home or on the floor next to the table. Meanwhile Mike had taken Samantha to the store to buy a newspaper. Then as they were coming up the street a lookout quickly ran inside, her voice was filled with excitement as she shouted, “They’re coming, they’re coming.” Rose excitedly said as she grabbed two children by the hand and began leading them to the guest bedroom; “Come lets all hide in here we’ll surprise them.”

Mike and Samantha pulled into the driveway. Mike opened the door for Samantha, she stepped out of the car and walked up to the front door. Mike opened the door for her as the two of them stepped into the living room. Samantha looked at all the gifts on and around the coffee table and with her voice all curious asked, “Who are all these for?” Mike pretended no to know what was going on replied, “I haven’t a clue, he looked at her curiously as he asked, “Are you sure we’re at the right house?” Samantha looked around the living room just as the guest bedroom door burst open and everyone came out shouting, “SURPRISE!!” Samantha’s smile and expression could have said a thousand words as everyone came and greeted her happy birthday. Her eyes lit up as she gasped as Rose presented her with a brand new her pair of pink roller skates. She looked at the roller skates, all the gifts, the cards, and at all her guests and with a voice filled with excitement as she said, “Thank you all so much this is the best birthday party that I’ve ever had.” She looked down and then back up as a tear had began to run down her face. Rose came and stooped next to her as she lovingly asked, “What’s the matter?” Samantha replied; “I wish my mommy and daddy could be here to celebrate my birthday with me.” Rose got down on her knees next to her and hugged her as she softly and lovingly said, “I’m sure they’re both in heaven looking down and celebrating with all the angels.” Some of the children were quietly asking what happened to her parents as the adults who knew quietly explained to them, “Her mother died when she was four, and her father was killed by some bad men.” The children all felt compassion for her, came and hugged her as each one reassured her that her parents were indeed watching from heaven.” Rose them cheerfully said, “Samantha look at the birthday cake just for you.” She walked into the kitchen her eyes lit up as she gasped, her smile beaming as she said. “Oh my goodness that’s a great big good birthday cake it’s the biggest one that I’ve ever seen, it’s so big I can’t eat it all up myself; you’re all going to have to help me. Rose lovingly asked; “Do you like all your presents, cards, cake, ice cream, and the birthday party?” Samantha smiled and hugged Rose as she replied, “Oh it’s the best birthday party a girl could ever hope for.”

Chapter 10 - Evil Men and their Plans

A couple of weeks later, three rough looking men were standing in an alley behind the drug store talking. One man in his mid forties said to the other two, “Remember that jewelry store we knocked off last July?” The leader of the group, a man in his early fifties snidely asked, “Yea what about it?” The first man continued; “You recall that man who picked up part of the loot and ran away with it and what we did to him when we caught up to him?” The other man also in his mid forties snidely asked; “Yea we bumped him so what about it?” The first man replied, “Well the word on the street is that private investigator’s girl found his kid on the street and she’s singing like a canary.” The leader said, “How do you know that he had a kid and he’s not making all this up to flush us out.” The word on the street is that she knows too many details.” The third man said, “She cant’ identify us because she’s never seen us.” The first man thought for a moment and then said, “I remember when we dropped some of the loot and when the man picked it up I saw a kid standing in a corner behind him then when I yelled at him he and the kid ran away.” The leader of the group said, “We need to do something about that kid if she identifies us we’re just as good as dead, better her than us.” The first man asked, “How are we going to get to the kid she’s always with that private investigator’s girl?” The leader of the group snidely replied; “Do them both or all three of them if necessary just take care of it.” The first man said; “I’m on it.” The leader then said to the second man; “Go with him and make sure the job is done right I don’t want any more loose ends.” The second man said, “You got it boss.”

The next day Mike, Rose, and Samantha were at a restaurant enjoying a meal together when Mike asked Rose; “How about the three of us spend the weekend at the lake?” Rose asked; “That sound wonderful, but where are we going to sleep when the sun goes down?” Mike replied; “My friend in homicide has a cabin he said I could use it anytime I like.” Mike went on to say; “We can roast marshmallows and hot dogs over the fire then have a candlelight dinner after Samantha’s in bed.” Rose smiled as she said; “It sounds so romantic it would be nice to get away from the city and enjoy the outdoors.” Samantha asked; “Can I bring my roller skates?” Mike smiled as he replied; “You can bring them however there aren’t any sidewalks for you to skate on.” Samantha smiled as she said; “Then I’ll bring Molly to play with she won’t cause any problems I’ll tell her to be a good girl.” Rose squeezed Mikes hand as she said; “I think we’re going to have a wonderful time we’ll begin packing tonight.”

Meanwhile at another table with his back turned was the first of the jewel thieves who had been listening in on the conversation, got up, paid for his meal and left. An hour later he was speaking to the other two thieves; “This weekend is our chance they’re going to the lake for the entire weekend.” The leader said; “We can hide in the bushes and ambush them, or wait until they go to sleep then break in and do them all three.” The second thief said, “It’s perfect no witnesses we’ll make it look like a murder suicide.” The leader then said; “What about the loot, we need that kid to tell us where the loot is.” The first thief said; “We can grab the kid when she’s alone and make her tell us where the loot is.” The second thief asked; “What if the kid won’t cooperate?” The boss replied; “We’ll tell her we’ll bump her two friends off unless she does.” The first thief asked; “What if the kid doesn’t know where the loot is?” The leader snidely replied, “Then we’ll bump her and her friends off anyhow.”

Chapter 11 - A Blessing in Disguise

Friday morning Samantha woke up with red bumps all over her body that itched her like crazy, she scratched and scratched without any relief. She got out of bed and went into Rose’s bedroom, woke her up and said as she continued scratching her arms. Rose woke up and saw Samantha scratching all those red bumps and said; “Oh my I think you have the measles, don’t scratch them you’ll make them spread.” Samantha said as she continued scratching her arm; “I can’t help it they’re itchy all over.” Rose then got out of bed, put on her housecoat as she said; “I’ll put some calamine lotion on them to relieve the itch.” Samantha said as she continued scratching, “Please hurry they are so itchy, itchy, itchy.”

As Rose was applying calamine lotion to Samantha’s red bumps all over her legs, she was holding the phone next to her ear with her shoulder while speaking to Mike, “I’m afraid we’ll have to cancel our weekender at the lake.” On the other end Mike asked; “Why what’s up?” Rose replied as she applied more lotion to Samantha’s legs, “Samantha has the measles I need to keep her around the house until she’s over this.” Mike sounded disappointed as he said; “We’ll have to do it another time I’ll be by later with some carry out from that Chinese place up the street.” Rose sounded of relief as she said; “Thank you I’m afraid I have my hands full with Samantha she looks like a ghost with all this lotion on her.” Mike said; “I’ll pick up a toy for her on my way over to cheer her up.” Rose appreciatively said; “You’re a real sweetheart thank you for every thing you’ve been doing for us I wouldn’t know what to do without your help.” Mike smiled as he said, “That little girl has captured my heart the two of you have made me want to have a family of my own.” Rose asked; “What are you saying?” Mike replied; “I don’t want to discuss it over the phone I need to see you first.” Rose said; “Now I’m really going to be up in arms wondering what you are wanting to say that is if I haven’t figured it out already.” Mike smiled as he said; “I don’t want to spoil it I want to make it special.” Rose smiled as she said; “You already have never the less if you feel as if you want to do make it special then I’ll try my best to accommodate you.” Mike smiled as he said, “Great I’ll see you tonight at seven.” Rose smiled as she said; “We’ll be waiting.” Mike said; “Love you.” And then kissed into the phone. Rose replied back over the phone, “I love you too.” as she also kissed into the phone and then placed the receiver on its cradle and continued applying more lotion to Samantha’s measles.

Later Rose heard a knock at the frond door, opened it up and found Mike holding a large bag in one hand a dozen roses in the other while wearing a boyish grin.” Rose laughed and asked; “Now what are you up too?” Mike handed her the flowers as he replied; “Oh nothing much just wanted to bring you some flowers, dinner, a toy for Samantha and,” He reached into his coat pocket and retrieved a small black box, opened it up revealing an engagement ring “to ask you to marry me.” Rose’s eyes and smile lit up, she threw her arms around him as she said; “Yes Of course I’ll marry you.” Mike then said; “The first thing I want to do after we’re married is for us to adopt Samantha.” Rose’s eyes began to moisten with tears as she said; “Oh that would be a dream come true for her as well as for me.” Mike smiled as he said; “Let’s tell her the good news.” Rose let Mike put the engagement ring on her ring finger, kissed him and then took him by the hand as the two of them walked into Samantha’s bedroom. Rose smiled as she said; “Darling, we have some good news for you.” Samantha smiled through all the white powder and said; “Oh goody I love good news.” Rose continued smiling as Mike put his arm around her as she said; “We’re going to be a family.” Samantha’s brow wrinkled as she asked; “How are you going to be a family if you’re not married and don’t have any children?” Rose smiled as she replied; “We’re getting married and we want to adopt you so we can be a family.” Samantha sat up in bed smiling as she asked, “You mean a real live family like Mike will be daddy and you’ll be my mommy?” Rose smiled as her and Mike in unison replied; “Yes.” Samantha’s eyes lit up, she jumped out of bed, ran over and hugged the two of them as she said, “Oh thank you I’ll have a real live mommy and daddy again so I won’t have to pretend any more.” Her brow then wrinkled as she asked; “Mollie, Oh what about my dolly I’d better ask her what she thinks about it?” She went back to her bed, pick up her doll and put her ear up to her doll’s mouth for a few moments and then turned and smiled as she said, “Molly said that would be the happiest day of her life.” Mike smiled and held Rose closer as he said; “Then it’s all set.” Rose then asked; “We need to set a date when do you suppose we should?” Mike thought for a moment and replied, “How about labor day weekend?” Rose smiled as she said; “Labor day weekend sounds wonderful.” Samantha then went and kissed Mike on the cheek as she said; “Oh I can hardly wait to call you daddy.” Samantha laughed as she pointed at the white powder left behind on Mike’s cheek. Mike laughed as he pulled out his handkerchief, wiped the white powder off as he said; “You don’t have to wait another minute you can call me daddy starting right this moment.” Samantha looked at Rose who said; “You can call me mommy also starting at this very moment too.” Rose hugged the two of them as she cheerfully said; “Oh mommy, and daddy this is the happiest day of mine and Mollie’s life.” Mike and Rose kissed as Samantha looked on with a beaming smile.

Chapter 12 - The No Show

That same evening, the three jewel thieves were at the lake waiting in the bushes for the arrival of Mike, Rose, and Samantha unaware that plans had been cancelled due to Samantha’s bout with the measles. The three men were in the bushes busy fighting off mosquitoes when the first of the three thieves said; “I hope they get here soon these bugs are eating me alive.” The leader of the group said to the second thief; “Are you sure they were coming this weekend?” The thief replied as he slapped a mosquito on his arm; “I was sitting right behind them, I’m sure I heard him say this weekend at this very spot.” The leader said as he slapped a mosquito on his neck; ”You’d better be right, I didn’t come all the way out here just be eaten alive by these blasted blood sucking bugs.” The first thief looked at the second thief’s face and slapped him hard.” The second thief grabbed him by the collar and said; “I’ll teach you to slap me.” The first thief then defensively explained; “I was just slapping a mosquito.” The second thief angrily said as he pushed the man backwards, “Slap your own mosquitoes and leave mine alone.”

Chapter 13 - A Very Happy Day

Sunny labor-day weekend outside of a church, people were throwing rice in the air as Mike, Rose, and Samantha came out of the church The three of them got into Mikes car and drove off pulling several strings of tin cans. Someone had written the words ‘Just Married’ on a poster board and taped it to the trunk of his car.

Chapter 14 - Becoming a Real Family

A couple of weeks later, Mike, Rose, and Samantha were in a courtroom as a judge was listening to their request to adopt Samantha. The judge said, “It’s my understanding that the child’s parents are both deceased and that the two of you have just recently been married and that you met Samantha at the farmers market when she was caught eating an apple that had fallen on the ground and that you rescued her from the stand’s owner who apparently became very angry and wanted to severely discipline her. You took her in and now the two of you wish to adopt her.” Mike humbly replied; “Yes your honor.” The judge looked at the papers and thought for a moment and then said; “This court usually requires that the child and prospective parents know and spend time together for several months before an adoption can be granted but however due to circumstances at hand I don’t see any reason for such a delay therefore it is this court’s decision to award your request and to issue a degree of adoption without any further delay.” Mike smiled as he said, “Thank you your honor.” The judge then slammed the hammer on his desk and said, “This court is adjourned.” As they were all getting up to leave, the judge came down and while shaking Mike’s hand said, “Congratulations and good luck if there’s anything I can do for you in the future don’t hesitate to call on me.” Rose smiled as she said, “Thank you very much Mr. Robinson you don’t know how much that means to us. The judge smiled as he squeezed Mike’s shoulder; “Why don’t the three of you stop by the house for dinner, Marge is preparing a pot roast with all the trimmings and she’s been looking forward to meeting this adorable youngster of yours.” Mike smiled as he said, “We wouldn’t miss if for anything in the world.” The judge then hoisted Samantha up into his arms and cheerfully said; “My goodness you’re such a pretty little girl.” Samantha blushed and said; “Thank you your honor.” The judge smiled as he said; “You don’t have to call me your honor anymore just call me grandpa or just gramps.” Samantha smiled as she said; “I’ve never had a grandpa before.” The judge smiled as he said, “I’ve never had a granddaughter quite as pretty as you, why you look just like an angel.” Samantha smiled as she said; “Oh thank you.” And kissed him on the cheek.

Chapter 15 - Danger Stranger

Several weeks later Samantha wanted to lay some flowers on her parent’s head stones in the local cemetery, unaware to them they had been tailed for several weeks by the jewel thieves who killed Samantha’s father waiting for an opportunity to catch Samantha alone. They followed them to the cemetery where Mike, and Rose stood at a distance as Samantha was at her parent’s gravesites weeping as she laid flowers on their headstones. She said; “I miss you so much, I still dream of us having fun together like we use to.” Daddy I miss you swinging me around in your arms and mommy I miss baking cookies with you on Saturday mornings. I have a new mommy and daddy who I love very much and I know you would love them too, they are very good to Molly and me. She wants to say something to you.” Molly held her doll’s mouth up to her ear for a few moments and then said; “Molly said for you not to worry about me that she and my new mommy and daddy would take very good care of me.” She then stood up to leave when one of the jewel thieves ran from behind a tree and grabbed her off her feet and began to run with her. Samantha bit his hand so hard that he yelped as he dropped her. She hit the ground running as the man pulled a small revolver from his coat pocket and took aim. He fired just as she ducked behind a tall head stone just as the bullet hit taking a nice sized chunk out of it. She got up and ran towards Mike and Rose then ducked behind another headstone just as the man fired another round at her. Mike had pulled his own revolver from his own holster just under his vest and went after the man. Meanwhile Samantha looked around for the man and not seeing him, quickly got up to run for the next large headstone when the man stepped out in front of her several yards away took quick aim and fired.

The bullet knocked Samantha off her feet and into several piles of flowers laid at a freshly covered grave. Rose screamed; “Samantha” as Samantha was knocked off her feet into the flowers, Mike took aim and shot the man in the shoulder spinning him around, off his feet dropping his revolver as he hit the ground. Mike ran over to cover the man as Rose ran over to Samantha, knelt down and cradled her in her arms while crying. Meanwhile Mike angrily said to the man; “I should kill you right here but I want you to pay for shooting my daughter.”

Chapter 16 - Case Solved

Rose was still cradling Samantha in her arms while bitterly crying when Samantha groaned and opened her eyes and asked; “Am I in heaven?” Rose smothered her face with kisses as she replied; “My baby, my baby I thought I’d lost you forever.” Samantha said; “I felt the man shoot me but I’m still alive, what happened?” She picked up her doll, which had a hole in the front of it, she looked at the doll, turned it over and discovered that it had stopped the bullet saving her life. She saw something red inside the doll just as two policemen came running up. She said; “Molly is bleeding.” She reached inside the doll’s body and pulled out a red rag that had been used as stuffing, she felt of the rag and felt something inside the rag. She said; “There’s something inside.” And as she opened the rag she pulled out a large black satin bag with a string tied around it, she untied the string and much to hers and everyone else’s surprise, several costly diamonds of various sizes and shapes fell out into her hand and on the ground glimmering in the sunlight. Rose gasped at the glimmering diamonds as Samantha said; “My daddy said that someday Molly would take very good care of me.” Rose said; “That’s why your daddy gave Molly to you and told you to take very care of her because he hid the diamonds inside of her and he knew someday you would find them and return them to their owner.” One of the policemen said; “There’s a two hundred thousand dollar reward for the return of those diamonds and a twenty five thousand dollar reward each for the capture of the three bandits who stole them during the heist last year.” The officer gently pinched the end of Samantha’s nose as he said; “Well little lady it looks like you get the reward for the diamonds and for the capture of the diamond bandits, we got word just before arriving here that the other two had been captured while breaking into your home.” Rose hugged Samantha as she cheerfully said; “Oh this is all too good to be true.” Samantha then held up the bag of diamonds, looked up at the policeman and asked; “Do I get to keep the funny stones?” The policeman smiled as he replied; “I don’t think so the owner wants them back really bad.” Samantha made a cute face as she asked; “Can I keep just one?” The policeman laughed as he replied; “I’ll ask him for you however you do get the two hundred seventy five thousand dollar reward for the return of the diamonds and the capture of the three bandits.” She looked at her doll and then said; “I need to put Molly into the doll’s hospital so she can be well again.” The policeman looked at Molly winked and said; “I’ll take her there myself.” Samantha smiled as she said; “Oh thank you.” Her face had a very curious look as she asked; “When can I visit her she might get lonely in the hospital all by her self.” The policeman smiled as he replied, “Don’t worry about your dolly, I think she’ll be back home in no time at all why I wouldn’t be surprised if she got a new dress because it looks like this one is ruined.” Samantha said to her doll, “Now you be a good girl and I’ll see you when you get out of the hospital.” She then handed it to the kind policeman as he cradled it in his hands as he said; “We’ll take very good care of her she’ll be home in a couple of days.”

Chapter 17 - A Big Thank You

A week later at a ceremony honoring Samantha for the capture of the three diamond bandits, the mayor handed her a check for two hundred seventy five thousand dollars as he said; “We would like to take this time to honor Samantha for the capture of the infamous diamond bandits and for the return of the diamonds valued at over five million dollars.” After he handed Samantha the check he went on to say; “The three bandits dubbed the diamond bandits for the past three years have robbed several jewelry stores from Los Angeles to San Francisco but it took one small child to bring them down and for that the entire state of California owes her a great debt of gratitude.” The crowd loudly applauded as Samantha held the check up for the cameramen who took her picture with the mayor and many other dignitaries.

After the ceremony the policeman who took Molly from Samantha came and as he presented her back to her said; “They put a new dress on her, new shoes and even a voice box that will say ‘mommy’ when you turn her over.” Molly smiled as she took the doll and gave it a big hug, she turned it over but instead of saying ‘mommy; it just rattled. She said to the policeman; “They didn’t give her a very good voice all she does is rattle when I turn her over.” The policeman smiled as he said; “When you get her home just open her up at the back and take the voice box out and she will be just like she was before.” Molly said, “Ok after I sing her a lullaby before bed I’ll take the broken voice box out and have my mommy sew her back up.” The Policeman smiled as he said; “You do just that.”

Chapter 18 - Ha, Ha, Ha

Later on the way home Rose asked Mike, “Would you mind stopping at the farmer’s market, I need to pick up some vegetables to make some soup with for dinner?” Mike smiled as he replied, “Sure.” Then later after they had reached the farmer’s market and had parked and were nearing the fruit stand that the mean and selfish old man operated, sounds of sirens filled the air as a car that was being chased by three police cars came around the corner and headed straight for the fruit stand as the bandits and police officers exchanged gunfire. The elderly man threw a box of cherries while frantically running to get out of he way just as the car smashed through the stand sending various kinds of fruit and empty crates flying through the air followed by the police cars which finished off the fruit stand as the elderly man threw his hands in the air and shouted a line of obscenities. Samantha, Rose and Mike all three laughed as the mean fruit stand operator threw a smashed watermelon on the ground while continuing to shout obscenities.

Chapter 19 - Closure

Later at home, Samantha sang her doll a lullaby then opened up the doll’s back and pulled the voice box out. She noticed a small clasp on the side, opened it up and much to her surprise, six diamonds fell out with a note from the owner, it read, “Thank you for returning my diamonds to me, please keep these as a token for my appreciation for all you’ve done.” She gasped as the diamonds sparkled as if they were winking at her. She quickly ran out to the front porch and showed them to Mike and Rose who had been sipping on a glass of apple cider. Samantha then looked up into the night sky and quietly said; “Thank you daddy I love you.”

THE END
 

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