Safe.
And as Keely knelt next to Zoey, holding the trike for her as she climbed on, she heard,“Stay safe,Keely.”Her father, standing at the door, before she left for college, watching her with something she couldn’t place in his eyes.
Maybe it was love.
Zoey held the handlebars, and Keely bent low behind her. “Put your feet on the pedals. I’m going to push.” The little girl looked up at her, eyes wide.
“I won’t let you fall. I promise.”
Zoey turned back and put her feet on the pedals.
“I promise.”
Oh,Dawson.But she bit back the memory of his voice and pushed Zoey around the yard. The little girl finally put her feet on the bar and just hung on.
And laughed.
The sound trickled into the air, warm and sweet, like the smells of the springtime day. Maybe Keely could do this.
At least she could give it her very best.
They came to rest back at Marnie’s feet, and Zoey got off the trike. Headed over to the slide attached to a small playset.
Keely followed her, stood at the bottom to catch her when she came down.
“I’ll go pack her bag,” Marnie said.
“Don’t—”
Suddenly Zoey came sliding down the ramp. She flew out, faster than Keely anticipated.
Keely caught her, stumbling back with her weight.
They went down in the grass with anumph.
Zoey jerked in her arms, hard.
Wet grass soaked into Keely’s leggings, and Zoey started to cry.
Oh—oh! “Hey. Hey ... it’s all good. It’s all...”
Zoey looked up, as if searching for Marnie.
Keely sort of wanted Marnie too.
“I won’t let you fall. I promise.”
She sat up. Set Zoey in her lap. “You’re all right,” she said softly. Zoey was still snuffling, her eyes wet.
And somehow, the song simply rose inside her, a hum, then the words, almost a whisper... “You’re never alone, wherever you might be. Close your eyes and breathe, feel the warmth from me.”
Zoey stared at her, captured, her snuffling slowing.
“That’s pretty.” Marnie, from behind her. Clearly she hadn’t left.
“It’s just a little thing I’ve been working on.” She turned to Zoey. “Wanna try again?”
Zoey nodded. Oh, Keely liked her spunk.
