“I haven’t run in ages.” Zaina huffed. “Mike hates it.”
“We can talk about that later. What are we going to do now? I need my babies.”
Nicole sat on the ground and looked over at Franklin under the tank. “I hate to say this, I really do, but Devin, do you thinkFranklin is stuck under the tank? Do you think he can move?” Devin’s face blanched.
“Liam baby, come over here.”
“No Mama, I can’t leave Fwanklin.”
“You are such a good brother,” Devin began and Liam burst out in tears.
“He-he stuck, and it’s m-m-me fault.”
“Oh baby, it’s okay, Franklin knows you love him, right Franklin?”
Franklin didn’t say anything. Devin froze and her eyes went wide. “Is he unconscious?” she squeaked.
Nicole and Zaina spun first to look at Franklin and second to hold Devin up as her knees started to buckle.
“Franklin honey, say something to your Mama,” Nicole pleaded.
“Mama Sta-wuck!”
Devin sagged in relief, and Nicole held her up. “Devin,” said Nicole, “you have to trust me.” She held Devin’s hands and looked in her eyes. “We are going to push Zaina up and over and she is going to get the boys. We got this, and if anything else happens, we are going to give up and call for help. Okay? Either way, it’s going to be okay. Look at me. Why are those shoulders around your ears? Shake them out and take a deep breath.”
Devin shook her shoulders and arms and then took a deep breath.
Nicole got down on her hands and knees. “Z, climb on my back.”
“Are you sure you want to do this, Nicole?” Zaina asked.
“I’m sturdier than I look. Devin, get ready to boost Zaina over once she’s on my back.”
Zaina gave her friend a hug. “It’s going to be okay. We’ll get Franklin unstuck.”
Devin rubbed her hands together. “Let’s do this!”
Zaina stepped onto Nicole’s back. Nicole couldn’t help but let out a grunt. “I’m sorry, Nicole!” Zaina said and then she reached up and put her hands on the top of the grate. Then Devin began pushing her up and Zaina was able to pull herself up enough to get her knee on the top, then her other foot and then she was over and landing on the floor with a thud.
“Are you okay?” asked Nicole and Devin in unison.
Zaina got to her feet and brushed herself off. “I’ll be fine.”
Nicole and Devin stood at the gate like teens waiting to get in to see their favorite rock band. Only this was more serious. Liam ran over and threw his arms around Zaina’s legs. She took his hand and said, “Liam, let’s go get Franklin unstuck.”
“Yay!” said Liam and he skipped back over to where Franklin was. He got down on the floor and put his face close to his brother’s. “You be okay now Fwanklin.”
“I wanna go home,” Franklin cried.
“You okay,” comforted Liam.
Devin was quietly crying, while Nicole rubbed her back. “It’s almost over. They are going to be fine.”
“Franklin, does anything hurt?” Zaina asked.
“Nu-uh.” He shook his head.
Zaina smiled, “Let’s get you out of there.” He was stuck on his side. It wasn't clear how he was stuck, so Zaina ran her hand up his leg and then around to his back. She could feel that his shirt was stuck on the bottom of the tank. “Franklin, don’t be scared. I’m going to pull hard on your shirt.”
