Courtney Oliphant is currently completing her undergraduate in English and Creative Writing at Warren Wilson College in the lovely Swannona Valley. 

Baby Linda (March 20, 2011. Issue 26. The SLAM & FLASH Issue!)

She is kept on the top shelf in the spare room closet. Hands reach up, lowering the doll from the shelf, and hold her like a long forgotten treasure. Gently, the woman traces the curves of the worn doll’s face. She sits Baby Linda on a bed. The room has changed since she was put in the closet; there is a crib and changing table where there wasn’t before. The woman turns off the light. When the light returns the room fills with cries and coos. Little hands pull at her plastic arms: Fingers open and close her one blinking eye. Soon her mouth is constantly painted with red crayon. Dribbled with imaginary tea. Baby Linda’s eyes become clouded with cataracts of use. She sits in her small chair as the little girl grows up – then takes her place back in the closet.