Page 21 of Unforgettable
The other children joined in too.
A boy whose head was buzzed short and partially wrapped with surgical gauge spoke up, with huge doe-shaped eyes, that werecuriously expressive and the color of a blue moonstone.
“Did da bunny get hert?”
“Oh, no. It hopped away faster than an arrow could fly.”
The children gasped with surprise.
Randi looked at Elena with hopeful eyes.
“I’d like to stay awhile, please. Can you come back in a little while?”
The little blonde pointed to the empty mini chair beside her and patted the seat.
“She sit here.”
Randi’s eyes pleaded with promise.
“I’ll be good.”
Elena nodded, knowing it would do her good.
“You have an hour.”
Within seconds, she was seated at the table, joined by themost adorable children with the faces of angels, wide expressive eyes, curious minds, and a sweet innocence that held her captive. Their small voices asking questions, little hands showing her drawings, stories tumbling over one another.
There was no hesitation.
No pity.
Just connection.
“Do yew wike ta color?” another young boy with a black patch covering his left eye, holding out a red crayon. “Yew can have mine if yew wike red.”
Without thinking, her primary hand lifted from her sling without thought.
Randi froze, realizing what she had just done.
Then slowly… She reached the rest of the way.
Her fingers tried to close around it. They almost closed, thenthe crayon slipped and hit the tabletop. Her eyes grew large.
They moved. My God! They just moved a little.
Silence.
Her breath caught, her chest tightened as heat rushed to her face, leaving trails of red. She willed her nerves to calm as her eyes went all misty.
Stop! Not here. Don’t cry in front of them, her inside voice demanded.
But before the moment could break -
A small hand reached out, picked up the crayon and placed it gently back in front of her.
“It okay,” the little girl said simply. “You’s can try again.”
No pity. No sadness.Just belief.
