Sally and Lilly’s Secret Friend

Sally and Lilly’s Secret Friend

Sally had the brightest smile and the wiggliest pigtails, but her very best secret was a friend named Lilly. Lilly had a sparkly laugh and hair like sunshine, and she was always, always with Sally. The only thing was, only Sally could see Lilly.

In Sally’s cozy pink room, they built tall towers with blocks that reached the ceiling and giggled as they tipped over with a clatter. Outside, in the sunny backyard, Lilly would chase butterflies with Sally, her own tiny hand reaching for the colorful wings. And on the school playground, while other kids swung high, Sally and Lilly would whisper stories by the big oak tree.

But sometimes, when Sally talked to Lilly, the other kids would point. “Look at Silly Sally!” they’d shout. “Talking to herself!” Sally would just hug her arms, pretending she didn’t hear, but her heart would feel a little squished.

At home, her parents, Bob and Mary, tried to understand, but it was hard. “Sally-bug,” Daddy Bob would say gently, “you’re growing into a big girl now. Maybe it’s time to stop acting like a baby and quit claiming Lilly exists.”

Mommy Mary would nod. “We love your imagination, sweetie, but Lilly is just pretend.”

Sally would look at Lilly, who would often float near her, a little shimmer around her edges, and Lilly would give Sally a sad, understanding smile. What her parents didn’t know, what no one knew, was that Lilly wasn’t pretend at all. Lilly was a little girl’s ghost, a whisper from another time, and only Sally had the special eyes to see her.

One sunny afternoon, Sally was playing with Lilly in her room, making up funny songs about flying elephants. Suddenly, Lilly’s bright smile faded. Her eyes grew wide, and she pointed a translucent finger towards the door.

“Sally! Your mom! She fell down!” Lilly cried, her voice a rush of wind.

Sally’s heart jumped. She didn’t wait. She scrambled off her rug, ran down the hallway, and burst into the kitchen. There, on the floor, was Mommy Mary, her face pale, a fallen mixing bowl beside her.

“Mommy!” Sally wailed, her eyes filling with tears. She remembered what her dad had taught her. She grabbed the phone, her little fingers shaking, and dialed 9-1-1. “My mom fell down!” she told the kind voice on the other end.

Soon, sirens wailed outside, and kind paramedics helped Mommy Mary onto a stretcher. Sally rode in the ambulance, holding her mom’s hand tight, Lilly floating silently beside them, her face full of worry.

Later, in the quiet hospital room, Mommy Mary was resting in a big bed. She looked much better. Daddy Bob was there too, holding Sally close.

“My brave little girl,” Mommy Mary whispered, reaching for Sally’s hand. “How did you know I fell, sweetie? I was all alone in the kitchen.”

Sally looked at her mom, then at Lilly, who gave her a small, encouraging nod. “Lilly came into my room, Mommy,” Sally said softly. “She told me you were hurt.”

Mommy Mary’s eyes widened a little. She looked at Sally, then around the room, as if trying to see something too. A small, gentle smile touched her lips. She squeezed Sally’s hand.

“Well,” Mommy Mary said, her voice warm and full of love, “I am so, so glad you have your special imaginary friend, Lilly. She helped you be very brave and save your mommy today.”

Sally beamed. She looked at Lilly, who was now sparkling with happiness. Daddy Bob gave Sally an extra big hug. Maybe they still didn’t know Lilly was real, but for the first time, they truly understood how important Lilly was to Sally. And that, for Sally and Lilly, was all that mattered.

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