This is ESteLle Chip.

I found her, then just a Canadian Bandana, left (abandoned? [aBandandoned?] returned?) in a dollar store.

She was already covered in goodbye messages to an ESL student, who must have been staying here in Toronto, and about to leave.

Estelle.

I bought her. Gave her a body. Stuffed her into life.

I can’t imagine how she got there. Did Estelle’s friends write on her in the store, but change their minds right after? Or did they try and return it? Or did Estelle!? And did the storeowner really accept it? Did he not notice the inscriptions, or did he just throw it back on the pile anyway, after refusing a refund?

There are so many of my generation, of my friends, who have taught ESL.

So many Canadians abroad- peddling pronouns, past participles, and proper punctuation. Adventuring. Maybe finding their gilded cage.

So many young people from all over the world, studying syllables while seeing the sights- right here in Toronto, right here in my town.

I really connect with this doll.