Gill

Gill's colossal black button eyes stared into the big brown eyes of Liza Opel, his long beloved owner. 1

For many years, Liza loved Gill the best, out of every other stuffed animal that sat on the windowsill. Jealousy bubbled up in the cotton stuffing inside the rejected patchwork bear. His eyes wandered down Liza's small peachy colored arms, and settled on the new stuffed rabbit with ears that stuck up straight into the air. Unlike the others Gill had a place on the bed, he was special, and loved the most. But that had all changed after Liza's aunt brought home the purple rabbit. Before he knew it, he was replaced. "Which one would you like to take with you" Liza's Frizzy haired mother would say her delicate hands placed on the door. Gill would hope that Liza would pick him, more than anything he wanted her to love him again. But the rejection went on. Liza picked up the rabbit by his overstuffed hand, and skipped out of the room.2

After a night sitting beside the other unloved stuffed animals, Gill was fed up with hoping, and playing it cool. He crawled straight over to the bed, and placed his paws on his hips. "Who do you think you are" he said to the scowling rabbit. With no delay the rabbit answered "Im your replacement, Im the new favorite." But no more could be communicated as Liza came up the stairs, signaling that the toys get back in their place. Gill gave the rabbit one last look of hatred, and ran back to place on the windowsill. 3

Gill could no longer bear the humiliation, and rejection, and jealousy that he wanted to fight off. The next morning, after Liza left for school, and the adults left for work, Gill snuck down into the kitchen, and climbed on to the counter. He surveyed the knives, picking the largest and sharpest. He tried his best to sneak into Liza's room without the notice of the knife. He climbed on to Liza's bed out of sight of any of the others, and casually approached Rabbit. With an evil smile he said "How does it feel being the favorite." Gill watch Rabbit move his hand to his barely there chin, and awaited the moment that he would tear the stuffing out of that ungrateful being. "It feels successful" said Rabbit crossing his legs. "Well how would you feel if I killed you," Rabbits head snapped into place his eyes grew with worry flashing like a neon sign. Gill took out the knife, and closed the space between him and Rabbit, digging the knife into the thrashing animal, as stuffing flew everywhere. 4

Rabbit lay dismembered at Liza's feet, as she cried. Yelling at her brother who stood at her side. She had blamed him. Gill watched the scene, regretting that he'd done anything. He felt bad for Liza, the one he'd loved for so long. It didn't occur to him that it would hurt her. 5

That night when all was asleep, Gill assembled Rabbits parts from the garbage in the kitchen, and the sewing kit from the hallway closet. He spent the night trying his best to put together Rabbit. When he had finally finished, he looked into Rabbits eyes. Rabbit slowly sat up, and looked back at him. "Why did you put me back together" he asked trying to stand. Gill smiled "because I know you make Liza happy." Gill politely helped Rabbit onto Liza's bed, and watched him cuddle up to Liza, and he frowned the thought of losing Liza returning to his mind. Gill turned away, but just before he jumped of the bed, Rabbit called to him. "Thank you Gill" Rabbit said just before falling asleep as well. Gill's smile returned, and he raced to the Windowsill, placing him self beside the others. 6

The morning after Gill watched Liza scream with happiness to the return of her new beloved stuffed animal. She hugged her brother, and hugged Rabbit, and then stopped to look towards Gill, who sat still happy for her. Liza walked towards him, and picked him up with her free hand. She hugged him and then pulled Rabbit in to the hug as well. And that's when Gill realized, that Liza would always love him.