Stories

Mr. Avon / By Louise Baggett

I sat in the small rocker, cuddling my rag doll. I spent much time that way, as I was three years old at the time. There was a knock at the door. I called out "Madeline, Madeline, there is someone at the front door." There was always a feeling of fear when anyone came to the door.

Our mother had died when I was two and my sisters were only twelve and fourteen. Our father had to leave us alone when he went to work each day. He told us never to answer the door unless we knew the person. He also told us to always call Madeline. She went to the door and invited the man inside.

He had been at our house before. He was a kindly old man with a friendly smile and bright blue eyes. He bent down to talk to me. He asked my name and said, "When is your birthday?"

I told him "April 25th."

He said, " April 25th. I will not forget you." He patted me on the head "April 25th," he said again. "I will not forget."

My sister handed him an envelope and as he started to leave he told me his name Mr. Avon. As he left the porch, I called to him "Goodbye, Mr.Avon."

I went back to holding my rag doll.

Some weeks later Mr. Avon came to the house again. It was the day before my birthday. He greeted us in his kindly manner, then he handed me a box which was about the size of a shoe box. I opened it and found a beautiful doll with long hair and big shining blue eyes. I was so thrilled. I held the doll close to me in my excitement. I did finally manage to thank Mr. Avon and my sister handed him the envelope.

I shall never forget that kind man… Mr. Avon

It was years later that I found out that he was a bill collector -- collecting the unpaid balance on my mothers medical and funeral bills.