Page 38 of Protected By Duval
Ciela nodded as she rubbed the back of one hand across her eyes. “Hungry.”
Noelle hadn’t heard the soft scrape of chair legs on the hardwood floor but she heard the sink turn on.
“I’m getting a cloth so we can wash her face and hands.”
“Thanks, Ma.”
Noelle watched her daughter’s expression carefully as the little girl hands on her shoulders. “Mama,” she sniffled, “sorry.”
“Oh, sweetie.” She gave her a smile and then took the warm towel from her mother’s hand. “No need to be sorry.”
Noelle folded the towel up and gently wiped her face. Starting with her sleepy eyes and then her other features, like her chin to wash away any drool.
Ciela shook her head, almost sticking her hair to her face again.
“I didn’t mean to yell at the man.” Her bottom lip jutted out. “I was just scared. I saw the badge.”
Noelle wrapped her arms around her baby and hugged her tight, kissing her daughter’s cheek when she leaned back.
“Honey, he knows that.” Smiling to lift her daughter’s spirits. Noelle folded the towel, flipping it over to put the used side inside, she took one hand after another, wiping it clean so she could eat.
“Come on, sweetie. The dinner Abuelita cooked for us is still warm.”
Her mother pulled out the chair that Ciela used, and Noelle helped Ciela up and into her booster seat. “Come and sit down. Time to eat.”
After she managedto put her daughter down for a second time, Noelle took a long, hot shower and slipped between her sheets to stare up at the ceiling above her head.
The fan blades cut across her field of vision giving her something to focus on instead of the rumble of thoughts in her head.
It had been weeks since Ciela’s last triggered event.
The sound of a siren passing by them on the road led to a quick pullover and lots and lots of hugs and kisses.
But this time?
It had happened so close to home.
Right on the porch.
Noelle was worried that this might lead to her daughter seeing home as something triggering.
There was no way to know until the next morning.
She let out a breath and closed her eyes, trying to settle down.
Her phone buzzed on her bedside table and she turned her head to see the alarm clock on the wall. It was a few minutes short of ten o’clock.
Noelle let out an exhale and turned on her side.
She turned her phone to face here and had to squint at the screen, reading the message pop up a second and third time before it all sank in.
(210) 555 - 6612: Noelle? This is McCrae
McCrae?
Bracing herself up on an elbow, she answered the text with one of her own.
NENA: McCrae King?
