“Lucy Cook.”
“Cook. That was it. Well, there’s only one thing we are missing from this picture.”
“And what’s that?”
“Cookies, of course.”
“Do you think she will like it?” I’m skipping in front of Maria. She’s so slow sometimes. I’m playing a game,don’t step on the cracks. Because if you do, MONSTERS!
I’m swinging the bag back and forth, jump, jump, swing, swing.
Don’t step on the cracks.
I found a teddy and it’s perfect, like my picture. It’s small and fluffy because, all teddies need to be fluffy, It’s the rules. And this one is super special because it’s got a, can you guess?
A cookie!
Cookie for Lucy Cook.
I think I’m going to call her Cookie. I bet she would like that, a nickname.
Maria has told me to not be too eager as it’s a big day for Lucy, and she reminded me about the day I came here.
I don’t like to think about that day.
It’s sad.
I stop jumping and look down at the bag, shaking my head, hoping the horrible memories go away. Maria says it’s all in the past now. But sometimes, even now, after being with Maria and James for a year, those memories come back and flash through my head like an angry camera.
Flash, flash, flash.
Go away, go away, go away.
“Are you okay?”
Maria bends in front of me, her sparkling eyes drawing my attention away from the little teddy that is gripped in my hand. I don’t remember taking it out.
I’ve done one of my weird things.
I don’t like it when that happens.
Flashbacks, she says it’s called. When those flashes come on too quick, I disappear off somewhere else. Somewhere in the past.
“I was thinking about my first day,” I whisper.
I try to swallow, but there’s something in my throat. Like an enormous ball that won’t let me swallow.
Bleurgh.
I cough, trying to make it go away.
“Do you remember how you felt?”
“Scared.”
“And that will be how Lucy is feeling today. But your picture and teddy will help her, and we will make sure she is happy.”
“And safe,” I say. “Because she may not have had a nice time like me.”
