Ms. Simmons quietly opened the door. Cheyenne popped up from the mat, where she had sat quietly with her doll. “Auntie Erykah!”
She ran to me, arms wide. I let go of Chris’s hand and scooped her up, cradling her close to me. Tears welled in my eyes as I pushed against the need to cry. She reminded me so much of Ellynn when she was this age.
“Where’s Mama? Daddy?”
Cheye’s hair had been tamed into two twin braids. I smoothed my hand down the plaits, imagining Ellynn braiding her daughter’s hair. What would’ve been a normal routine would now be one of the last moments Cheyenne had with her mom. My throat ached with unshed tears.
“I have to tell you something, sweetie.”
Cheyenne’s big brown eyes stared into my very soul. “What happened? Something bad?”
“Yes. I’m so sorry. But your mommy and daddy got hurt.”Please don’t cry, please don’t cry.
“Can you make them all better? You’re a doctor.”
Break my heart.I wished I could. “I can’t, Cheye. They’re in heaven now.” Oh goodness. I was telling an impressionable child Ellynn resided in a place I wasn’t sure existed. But if it did...
I stared at Chris, and he dipped his head as if to say,You’re doing just fine. I hoped he was right. I didn’t want to scar Cheyenne. I had no idea how you were supposed to tell a child their parents were both dead.
Agony filled every fiber of my being.
“What do you mean?” Her brow wrinkled.
“They died, sweetie.” I said the words gently. Spoke the horrifying words that my own mind was still wrestling with.
“You’re lying.” A storm cloud rose on her face. “Mama and Daddy wouldn’t leave me. You’re a meanie.”
“Cheyenne...”
She shoved against me, bucking in my arms. I set her down, hoping to avoid any injuries to her small body.
“Mommy!” she wailed.
The social worker stepped forward. Had she been standing there the whole time?
She lowered herself to her knees, looking Cheyenne right in the eyes. “Cheyenne, I’m afraid your aunt isn’t lying.”
Cheyenne sniffed while staring at the social worker.
“Remember what I said my job was when I first met you?”
“To help kids like me?”
I glanced at the crib in the room, surprised Ashlynn could stay asleep through her big sister’s tears.
“That’s right. When parents can no longer take care of their children, they call me to make sure the kids will be okay.”
Confusion covered Cheye’s little face. “Aunt Erykah isn’t lying?”
“No. She got on a plane and came out here as soon as she could to make sure you were safe too. She wants to take you home with her.”
“But home is with my mommy and daddy.” Her little lip poked out.
I wholeheartedly agreed with her statement, but I was powerless to change reality.
“I know it’s hard to believe, but they’re in heaven just like your aunt said.”
“They can’t be. They’re not old like you.”
