Little one-year-old Mae squealed in joy as she held up her new friend. He was a furry, chocolate-brown teddy bear with a stuffed heart with the name "Mae" stitched on to his right paw. Her parents grinned, happy to make their daughter's first Christmas enjoyable. Mae always took her teddy bear where ever she went. She also gave it the name, "Bubby", being it was the only word she knew how to say. That moment sparked the beginning of a never-ending friendship.
My flashback deteriorated and I snapped back into reality. My owner, Mae, was now six years old and she was dying from pneumonia. I sat right by her side on the white sheets of her hospital bed. Her tiny, shaking hand clung around my body as she received shots from the perky nurse, who thought everything was all peaches and cream. The nurse, named Holly, brought in a stereo with Mae's favorite song in it. Holly thought that it would calm her nerves. She pressed the play button and a little kiddie song blared out from the speakers.
"Oh, I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee. Won't my mommy be so proud of me?..."
I smiled as Mae giggled and danced (carefully). After the song ended, Holly played Mae's favorite movie, Shrek 2. I've seen it a bunch of times and I've enjoyed watching it with her. Mae's favorite line of the movie was, "I'm a real boy!", said by Pinocchio. Her mother would always replay that part and Mae would laugh every time. When the line finally was said, Mae only mustered up a small smile. That was when I knew she was really sick.
That night, Mae lay peacefully sleeping in her hospital bed. I only could hear the sounds of her heavy breathing. Suddenly, Holly came in with Mae's parents. The talked by the door and I tried to tune into their conversation. Luckily, I was able to hear every word.
"Mr. and Mrs. Culbertson, I'm afraid I have some terrible news for you," Holly was saying. Mae's mom burst into quiet sobs.
"What is it?" Mae's dad asked, comforting his wife.
"Mae will not make it," Holly said, "she is too sick."
Mae's parents both cried and kissed and hugged Mae, who was awakened. Holly led them out of the room and shut the door behind her. It was quiet in the room and Mae picked me up from the side of her bed and squeezed me tight.
"I love you, Bubby," she whispered, "You're the best teddy bear ever."
With that, Mae lay back in her bed and fell asleep. I started to get sleepy too and soon drifted into a quiet slumber.
I woke up and peeked at the clock. It read 3:00 AM and the whole room was pitch black. I looked over at Mae and noticed she wasn't breathing and her skin looked paler than usual. I choked back a sob, because I knew she was gone. I looked at the heart attached to my right hand and hugged it. Mae's spirit was still locked inside it. I also would never forget the great times we had together.
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