Notebooks could be stolen by others, and her stories could have been a weapon for other kids to aim at her.While most kids in care were just like her, a few who were broken in ways she couldn’t begin to understand.
Those kids always looked for ways to make others feel as bad as they did themselves.Putting herself out there by showing a love of books hadn’t been safe because there’d always been kids like Adam.Kids who were angry and jealous, who wanted to make everyone suffer as much as they did.
But there were also kids like Mary Mae and Liam, safe people who were ready to support each other.
The three of them had shared their dreams in quiet whispers.Mary had dreamed of being a teacher.Of working with kids who struggled to read.She wanted to help them find magic in the words.Liam had been aiming to be a social worker or a police officer.Someone who would help.
The shared dreams had brought them closer and made Adam more and more jealous.When Liam and Mary became a couple, Adam had lost his shit.He’d decided Mary Mae should be his and his stepbrother didn’t have the right to her.
Thankfully, they’d aged out of the system soon after and moved to a tiny apartment in a different part of the city.They hadn’t told a soul and hoped Adam would never find them
She was hoping the same now.
Ella Mae looked over at Olivia and held up her dragon.The baby babble was a jumble of consonant and vowel sounds.
“Good morning, baby girl.How’s Ella Mae this morning?Did you and your dragon have a good sleep?”
The toddler had only woken Olivia a handful of times with her mutterings.Although she was too old to need food in the middle of the night, she sometimes needed comfort.
Still, the night at the B&B had been one of the best they’d had together.“Are you getting used to it just being you and me, Ella Mae?Are you ready for us to settle down and try building a life?”
The babble had Olivia smiling.“Me too.I’m thinking this might be the place.But we’ll need to see if there’s a job for me here.We can’t afford to stay in a B&B forever, and I don’t know if there are inexpensive lodgings here.Or part-time jobs.”
But it would be nice.The town had a warm and welcoming feel to it.They’d had a good day exploring the place on their own the previous day.Everyone she’d met had been kind and more than one had mentioned it was a great place to live.
She stretched.“We’ll spend some more time finding out about the town.Why don’t I get you changed, and then I’ll grab a shower, and we’ll head down for breakfast?After that, we’ll go exploring.”
Ella was more than content in the toddler bed.It seemed the small bed fascinated her.Olivia double-checked the lock on the door and left the bathroom door open as she rushed through her shower, listening to Ella babble and bang on her toy piano.
When they headed down in search of food, they found another couple in the dining room and Jim filling up their coffee cups.
He smiled at her.“Good morning, ladies.We have a highchair for Ella set up at the table near the window.We thought she might enjoy checking out the snow in the back yard.We’ve got a few feeders set up out there, and hopefully some birds will join you for breakfast.”
While he spoke, he ushered them to the table and filled a mug with coffee for her.
Ella cuddled her dragon close and studied the new space around them.Olivia spoke to her quietly and pointed out the features of the room, hoping to add to her vocabulary.Not that she’d pressure the girl to speak until she was ready, but hearing the words and associating them with objects was something Mary Mae had always done.
It wasn’t long before Carl and Jim both swung through the door from the kitchen.Carl carried a tray, and he set it down on the table.“We figured the sweet princess would maybe enjoy some oatmeal mixed up with a banana.We’ve also brought her some berries and chopped-up melon.”
Jim handed her two sippy cups.He held up the blue one.“Water.”Then the green one.“Milk.”
Ella grabbed the green one and babbled something.
Jim nodded.“That’s right.Milk.It’s good for your growing bones.”
They set the food on the table but out of Ella’s reach so that Olivia could feed her.Olivia’s eyes filled with tears at the kindness.The previous night, they’d asked about allergies and preferences and they appeared with Ella’s favorites.
“Thank you.This is amazing.”
Carl set another plate in front of Olivia.“You didn’t talk much about yourself last night, so I took a guess and made this up for you.If you’d like anything else, it’s no problem.We’re here to spoil you.”
That made her laugh.No one had ever spoiled her.“You’re doing an amazing job.This looks incredible.Thank you.”
Hard-boiled eggs, toast, and a fruit cup.A yogurt sundae with granola and berries.
She had to swallow back the emotion as she thanked them again.
Carl spooned a couple of berries onto Ella’s tray.She clapped her hands and then picked them up, mashing them with her fingers before stuffing them in her mouth.“Great job, Ella.”
