Friendship, the Greatest Gift of All

Friendship, The Greatest Gift of All

“I want a new skipping rope,” bellowed Jane “and, I want a packet of crisps now,” she continued without a sign of having been taught any manners.

Jane, an only, lonesome child, could ask for anything she wanted and mum and dad would give in and buy whatever she screamed for. Beyond her long blonde hair framing her pretty face and cute blue eyes lay a monster.

“I want, I want, I want” was the cry when Jane was hustled through the busy shopping mall at weekends. She loved the latest trendy teenage fashions which always looked good on her tall-for-her-age figure.

“Hi, honey, look what I’ve bought you” was the cry from her guilt-ridden mother whenever she landed home in the evening showering her with yet more surprises.

Jane was so used to getting her own way and spoilt rotten she didn’t understand just how  lucky she was. She couldn’t grasp that some children’s parents can’t afford to buy as many lovely toys as she had in her playroom.

“I want, I want, I want,” was Jane’s constant demands which were granted without much ado.

Four-year old Jane still has six months to go before she starts school. She’ll have a shock to the system when she does and she has to learn to share with others.

“Can I have a new Cindy doll and a new doll’s house for my birthday?” Jane asked, oblivious to the cost of these toys, but certain they would be at the bottom of her bed when she woke up on her birthday.

Her parents, Sonia and Richard, worked long hours during the week and were party animals at weekends, filling their social calendar to keep up with their ever-increasing circle of jet set friends. Sonia loved buying the latest gadgets and furnishings for their home to keep up with her neighbours in their detached four-bedroom house in a select area of Liverpool.  

“Hi honey, I’m sorry I’m late,” Sonia would cry as she landed home “but I’ve bought you a new toy.”

The presents and surprises were meant to make up for the pangs of conscience Sonia and Richard felt in leaving her with her nanny, Mattie, for long hours every day with no time to play with her. Buying gifts helped Jane’s parents feel they were doing the best for their daughter’s happiness but surprises had now become expectations. Sonia would rush in from work after a hectic day in the solicitor’s office in the city centre. She was constantly thinking ‘what can I get Jane to make up for being late home yet again?’  All Jane had to do was ask and her wish would be granted without question.

“Now Jane,” Mattie started “just because you want something, doesn’t mean you can have it.”

“I can have what I want, you can’t stop me,” was Jane’s reply as she stamped her foot and started screaming.

“You can’t have your own way all the time,” started Mattie “you’ve got to learn to share before you go to school,” she continued as she threw her hands up in despair.

Mattie flicked her long auburn hair back, took a deep breath and promised herself she’d speak to Sonia again about her daughter’s rude behaviour. Mattie’s sea-green eyes and fresh complexion were complimented by a fetching dimple when she smiled but which disappeared rapidly if Jane gave her a hard time. Twenty-five year old Mattie was looking forward to having children of her own, but at times she doubted she could handle a spoilt brat like Jane. Mattie’s large family of four brothers, three nephews and a niece meant she was used to sharing and playing fair with her siblings. 

Jane wasn’t looking forward to starting St. Michael’s school in September because Mattie told her she’d have to learn to share and she wouldn’t always get her own way. This worried Jane because she couldn’t understand when Mattie explained that sometimes people don’t always get what they want just because they ask for it. Jane, at times, was very lonely and growing up in an adult world and not used to playing with other little girls and boys. School was going to be a big shock for her and she would be friendless if she didn’t mend her ways.

“It’s my birthday next week,” Jane reminded her parents “don’t forget the doll and doll’s house I’ve asked for?” she continued.

“Mattie, don’t forget to remind mummy and daddy to get my presents,” Jane started as soon as Mattie showed up for work the next day.

Jane was totally unaware just how greedy a monster she’d turned into. She’d had no guidance from her dad, Richard, as he was an only child with parents who were always at work with no time for him. The long hours in his Solicitor’s office in the city meant his mind was always clouded making him unaware just how spoilt and disagreeable his daughter was.

Mattie talked to Jane about her niece, Susan who was disabled and tried to explain about her niece’s disabilities. Jane wasn’t listening and immediately felt jealous and only thinking how can my Mattie love another little girl as well as me.

“Would you like to come with me to visit my niece, Susan?” asked Mattie.

“No I don’t,” shouted Jane “why would I want to visit your niece?”

 Jane wasn’t too happy about sharing Mattie with anyone else and had bad thoughts about this girl, Susan.

‘She can’t possibly be as pretty as me,’ thought Jane. ‘I won’t let her be Mattie’s favourite girl.’

Mattie explained to Jane that Susan lived in a three-bedroom house in a busy street near the town centre with three older brothers.

“That sounds boring. Boys are just a pain,” retorted Jane.

“You’ll like Susan’s bedroom and her pink bathroom suite on the ground floor,” replied Mattie.

Jane didn’t understand why Susan had her own bathroom but resentfully thought it was in her favourite colour, pink. Susan was the same age as Jane, with curly brown hair, brown eyes and always dressed in pretty clothes. Susan loved company and would enjoy playing with a little girl instead of playing with her three older brothers. Susan’s brothers were typical boys and loved football, rugby and swimming but they loved their sister dearly and protected her but they made sure she was never spoilt.  She couldn’t win board games just because of her disability. She had to compete alongside her siblings fair and square.  

“I don’t want to go to your niece’s,” replied Jane to Mattie’s suggestion again to visit Susan the following week.

Jane was envious and thinking of how Mattie would be less interested in her and Susan would be her favourite girl. Jane was bored with her toys and lonely because mummy and daddy were out at work at the office all day yet again. Mattie wasn’t always the best person to be with because she wouldn’t always let her have her own way. Jane puzzled over Mattie’s suggestion to go to Susan’s house and thought long and hard. 

‘If I don’t go,’ she thought, ‘I’ll be stuck in the house again by myself. Maybe this Susan’s got some new toys I can play with.’ 

“Alright I’ll go,” Jane grudgingly replied to Mattie’s third attempt to persuade her to visit her niece “but I’m not looking forward to it one bit” she finished.

Mattie and Jane left at eleven o’clock to get to Susan’s in time for lunch. Jane was thinking how hungry she was getting and dreamt of fish and chips or burger and chips which her parents disapproved of.

“Susan’s just getting changed,“ Mattie explained when they arrived.

“Getting changed?” Jane repeated “I thought Susan was the same age as me?”

Jane had long been past using her potty and nappies were only for babies. 

“Susan will never be able to walk or use the toilet by herself or feed herself without help,” replied Mattie.

“Why can’t Susan do things for herself?  Is she lazy?  Why doesn’t Susan’s mum show her how to go to the toilet by herself?” retorted Jane.

Jane was already starting to regret coming to this strange house with strange people with strange ways.

“Hi there,” greeted Susan’s mum as she wheeled her into the living room to meet Jane.  Mattie held her breath as Jane’s eyes took in Susan’s pink wheelchair with purple wheels and Susan’s trendy clothes. Susan had a big grin on her face. Jane sighed heavily and wondered why she had come as Susan couldn’t possibly play with her while she’s was stuck in that wheelchair.  Luckily, Susan hadn’t heard the big sigh and was unaware of what was in Jane’s mind. 

“Can we be friends?” blurted Susan.

Mattie was relieved Jane hadn’t completely ignored her niece but she was worried Jane may make Susan feel awkward about her disabilities. She had chosen not to over-elaborate before the visit on Susan’s disabilities because she felt strongly her niece should be treated as an equal. Jane looked at Susan in her wheelchair and back to Mattie, raising tension in the atmosphere and time seemed to stand still. Jane was staring at Susan’s pretty purple lace top and bright, shiny matching necklace. 

Mattie started regret bringing Jane when suddenly Susan whistled at Jane and gave her a big smile and burst out laughing. Susan’s brothers had recently taught her how to whistle and she used every opportunity to show off her new skill.

Jane thought, ‘If I go home I’ll be bored and maybe she can teach me how to whistle’.

After what seemed an eternity whilst the clock ticked loudly on the mantelpiece, Susan pulled a funny face and both girls looked at each other and burst out laughing. This was music to Mattie’s ears as she rarely heard Jane laughing so heartily. Jane never showed any signs of wanting to be friendly towards anyone other than her mum and dad. 

“Yes, I’ll be friends. Can you teach me how to whistle?” Jane said. 

This was really good news thought Mattie but she knew Jane still had a lot to learn.

Sitting down for dinner, Susan was propped up in her wheelchair and pushed towards the table to sit next to Jane. Surprise, and, without having to demand it, Susan’s mum served up fish and chips. This was just the sort of meal Jane dreamed about. They had some fun eating and laughing with Jane handing chips one at a time to Susan. Mattie was pleased they got on so well.

“How about we go to the park for some fresh air after lunch?” suggested Mattie.

“I love being pushed by you Mattie,” replied Susan.

Jane helped Mattie pushing Susan’s wheelchair to the park.

“I want to go on the swing but you can’t so I won’t?” Jane volunteered.

“That’s alright,” replied Susan “I’ll watch you.

Mattie was taken aback with the sudden change in Jane’s attitude. Susan was happy and didn’t mind watching Jane being pushed by Mattie as she swung high into the sky making them all giggle loudly as the mood rubbed off on all three of them.

“How about an ice cream in the cafe while I have a cup of tea?” asked Mattie as Jane jumped off the swing.

“Please Auntie?” replied Susan

“Please Mattie?” repeated Jane.

Mattie was struck by the amazing change in Jane’s behaviour in such a short space of time. “I’ll help Susan with her ice cream,” Jane volunteered “she needs help.”

Soon it was time to go because Mattie needed to get Jane home before mum and dad came rushing home from work tired and hungry for their tea.

Jane was sad to leave but promised “I’ll come again if Mattie brings me.”

 Jane was beginning to realise just how lucky she was compared to Susan with her disabilities.

Jane was thrilled she was learning how to whistle as she’d always wanted to whistle just like the postman. Susan was thrilled as she was also starting St. Michael’s school in September and she didn’t have a friend. She had been really worried she wouldn’t make any friends. This was good news for Jane as she now had a friend as well.

“Mum, Mum,” started Jane when Sonia arrived home weary from another heavy day at the office, “I went to Susan’s house and we’re friends. She’s going to my school and she will be my class mate.”

“Can I have a game of snakes and ladders instead of a new dolls house for my birthday? Please, please?  I want to play with my friend” Jane asked her astonished mother.

Jane’s parents were very surprised but delighted at this change of heart and, as usual, agreed to her demands. Mattie explained to Jane’s mum and dad how thoughtful Jane had been with Susan and just how much she enjoyed playing with her niece.

Everyone was happy with this change especially mum and dad as it suddenly dawned on them just how selfish they had been in not giving Jane a little brother or sister to help her to learn to share her toys with. Mum and dad decided she won’t be an only child for very much longer. Mattie was happy because Jane was going to be much easier to look after.

Jane was happy because she realised a friend was the greatest gift of all.