Let Me Have A Teddy Bear
It was a long year for Deke. After going from job to job, he finally made it big. While it was a bumpy ride, Deke is now one of the hottest singers in the country. That doesn't mean there were still struggles at times.
"You want me to record that teddy bear song?"
"Of course I do, Deke. The girls love it and it would be great publicity."
Publicity. Of course Glenda would focus on that. Still those teddy bears on his couch stick out to him.
"And what are these for?"
"Well that's part of the publicity. Once we take some photos of you with these, we're going to run an article announcing the single. 50% of the proceeds from the single will be dedicated to buying teddy bears and other toys for the local children's hospital."
That makes Deke pause. A children's hospital. That's a good cause for sure. No child should have to gone through anything like that alone.
"I'll do it."
"Splendid. I'll call for the photographer."
Glenda walks out of the room leaving Deke with the teddy bears. Something about them makes all the bad memories come flooding from the back of the mind.
"Deke are you alright?"
Deke looks up and sees Susie in the doorway.
"Yeah. Yeah I'm fine. I have a photoshoot for a single. You know that teddy bear song I do."
"I see. That explains why you're holding that teddy bear so close."
Has he? He looks down and sees that he picked up one of the bears.
"Ha ha. You know I can't remember the last time I ever actually held one of these."
"You never had a teddy bear before?"
"I dunno about never. I might've had one a long time ago back when..."
He can't bring himself to finish that sentence. Even if he doesn't go as far back as being orphaned, Deke never had a normal childhood. The concept of even having a stuffed animal feels foreign in a way that makes Deke contemplate something that he wouldn't dare say to anyone but Susie.
"Can you play with me?"
He turns the bear's head as if it was the bear talking. Susie smiles and picks up another bear.
"Of course I will. What do you want to play?"
"I don't know. What do you want to play?"
Susie thinks then she moves her bear next to the third bear.
"Let's play house. I'll be the mommy. You'll be the daddy and this will be our baby."
"Yeah. I like that."
Deke and Susie play with their teddy bears for the next 15 minutes. Glenda walks in with the photographer and is very confused by the sight.
"What on earth is going on here?"
Deke stops and blushes.
"Um. Sorry. We got distracted with the bears while you were gone. I'm ready for the shoot now."
"Yes I'll leave you to your work now Deke."
She kisses his cheek and leaves the room.
"Alright now what I'm thinking for the single cover is to have Mr. Rivers pose with the bears in front of that wall there."
"Oh. Ok."
He grabs the bears and stands in front of the blank wall.
"How's this?"
"Hmm."
He turns to Glenda while he sets up the shot.
"Can you move that bear in his left hand so it faces the camera?"
She repositions the bear so the photographer can see its whole face.
"Perfect. Just smile naturally Mr. Rivers."
"You got it."
It was a relatively quick photoshoot since it's only a cover for a single. The theme was already decided since it was for the children's hospital, so it was only a matter of getting a good shot.
"Alright I have enough pictures. I'll call when they're developed."
"Perfect thank you. I'll see you out."
Glenda walks with the photographer out the door. Deke sets the teddy bears down on the couch again. He walks to the room Susie was waiting in.
"I'm done, Susie."
"That's wonderful Deke."
He sits down at the table.
"So uh. What we were doing with the bears.... thanks."
"For what?"
"For just letting me pretend to be a kid. I know most would add again to that but for me..."
Susie pats his hand.
"You don't have to say it, Deke. Ever since you won that bear at the carnival I knew you had a soft spot for them."
"I don't see how anyone could hate 'em. Every kid should at least have some type of stuffed animal in their life. I just wanted to see what it was like."
"And how was it?"
Deke can only think of one way to answer.
"Can we play like that again some time?"
Susie just smiles.
"Of course we can."
And that's all Deke could ever want.
Tagging: @thetaoofzoe, @elvisobsessed, @thankhe, @octorockff, @wiseyouthinfluencer,
@i-r-i-n-a-a, @eptodaytommorowforever, @tupelomiss, @xanatenshi, and @kawaiiwitchy.
