“I found him for you, honey.”I handed her the rabbit and the poor thing burst into tears.The girls were both a heartbreaking mix of adult and child.Probably because their childhood hadn’t been easy.
I didn’t wait for her to calm down, scooping her up and holding her close as I left the apartment and headed back to the lift.
“Your mom and sister are pretty worried.”I did my best to reassure Kira, and I must be doing something right because she’d stopped shivering and wasn’t nearly as tense.“They’re waiting outside where it’s safe and that’s where we’re going too.”
Her lips trembled.“I -- I had to get Mr.Hoppers,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.“I couldn’t leave him.”
“I know, honey.”And I did.I remembered Julie and her stuffed horse, how it had been her one constant companion through the worst times.“He’s your friend.”
“I’m scared, Tiny.”Her voice sounded small against the noise of the lift as we descended.
“Hey.”I looked down into her upturned face.“I’m here with you, Kira.I will do everything I can to keep you safe.”I held her gaze, willing her to believe me.“That’s a promise.And I don’t break promises.”
Something shifted in her expression then, a flicker of trust breaking through the fear.She nodded up at me.“OK.”
The lift stopped and I shoved open the gate.“Let’s go find your mom and Zelda?”
She nodded, still clutching Mr.Hoppers with one arm while she bunched her other fist in my shirt.“You know what?”Kira’s small voice broke the silence as we neared the back exit.
“What’s that?”
“Mr.Hoppers says you’re his favorite giant.”
I felt a smile break across my face, wide and unexpected.“Well, that’s an honor.Tell him he’s my favorite rabbit.”
She giggled softly against my neck, the sound washing through me like a healing balm.As I pushed open the door to step outside, I knew I’d walk through fire to hear that sound again.To keep this child, her sister, and their mother safe.“Thanks, Tiny.For coming for me but also for not making fun of me.I know I act childish sometimes, but it’s how I keep from being terrified all the time.”
“No one said you acted childish.Far as I can tell, you’re a pre-teen hanging on to a childhood you never got to enjoy.Now you’re free.”I shrugged.“Laugh and play all you fu -- er -- flippin’ want.”
As we emerged outside, Kira really did let out a laugh.“I’m telling Caleb you said flippin’ instead of the F-bomb.”
I frowned down at her.“Little imp.You do and I’ll tell him you’re the one who put blue food coloring in his body wash the other day.”
Her eyes got wide and her mouth formed an “O” of surprise.“You wouldn’t!”
I smirked.“I might.You know.If you tell him I couldn’t make myself drop the F-bomb in front of you.”
She gave a disgruntled sigh and lay her head against my chest as we approached the rest of the group, including Penny and Zelda.“Fine.I won’t tell.This time.”
“I hear you.Next time, I’ll censor myself at my own peril.”
Some things were worth turning in my man card for.And I’d just found three of them.
* * *
Penny
I watched the door to the back exit, praying to see my daughter and Tiny when I saw Tiny reappearing with Kira in his arms.Riot wrapped his hand around my upper arm gently, holding me back while Violet did the same with Zelda, leaning down to whisper to her.The police were still securing the area, though no one stopped Tiny as he came our way.My heart hammered against my ribs as Tiny approached, Kira’s small frame nestled against his massive chest like she weighed nothing at all, Mr.Hoppers clutched tightly in her hand.
“Wait until he’s through the tape,” Violet murmured, her grip firm but gentle on my arm.“We need to stay a safe distance away.In fact, we should move farther back.”
Every second felt like an eternity.Tiny’s eyes found mine across the distance, and something in his gaze helped me breathe.He said something to Kira that made her smile.
When they finally cleared the police line, Tiny knelt and set Kira on her feet.I broke free from Violet’s hold and rushed forward, Zelda right beside me.We collapsed into a trembling group hug, my fingers tangling in Kira’s hair as I pulled both girls against me.
“I’m sorry, Mom,” Kira whispered against my neck.“I couldn’t leave Mr.Hoppers.”
“Don’t ever do that again,” I choked out, unable to keep the tremor from my voice.“Nothing -- no toy, nothing -- is worth your life, baby.”
