The ferret reversed his course and made it safely back to his shoulder. Cheyenne squealed with happiness, then yelled, “Cut! I saw that in a movie once.”
He laughed out loud.
Erykah let go of his hand, and an expression he couldn’t catalog flashed in her eyes before she moved away, picking up Ash from the baby seat. Chris moved to his phone to stop the video.
“I stopped it,” Cheyenne said.
“How?”
Sherolled her eyes. “You just press the red button, and it stops.”
“Oh, she knows how to record videos,” Erykah said wryly. “Ask me how many videos I’ve found on my phone of her and Ash.”
He chuckled. “Two or three?”
“I stopped counting. Some were good, and I saved them.”
“Kids these days are surprisingly smart with technology.”
“Agreed.” Erykah came to stand by him. “Will you introduce Kimble to the other ferret now?”
“I will.”
“Can I record?” Cheyenne asked.
“Sure.” He handed her his cell phone. She moved to the end of the plexiglass enclosure, holding his phone horizontally.
Chris set Kimble in the enclosure, then picked up the female ferret’s crate to let her into the enclosure. She and Kimble stared at each other, then ran closer, and a second later, they were playing.
Ash giggled as she watched, and his heart filled. He loved these girls. If he and Erykah ever dated, well, he could imagine a life very much like this one but with the affection that was currently lacking between him and Erykah.
“I think you should name the ferret Phoebe if you change your mind about letting her stay,” Erykah suggested.
“Like the detective inKindergarten Cop?” he asked.
She smiled. “Yep.”
“Why not Joyce? After all, that’s who he fell for.”
“I’m pretty sure the ferrets are siblings.”
He threw his head back and laughed. Immediately Cheyenne began questioning what was so funny. Knowing she wouldn’t understand, he put her to work helping him close the center once more.
Twenty-Five
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORDyour God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.
I stared at the words, trying to make sense of them. I could understand God offering the encouragement to be strong and courageous. Anybody could encourage anybody. But the idea that He would never leave me ... That forced me to look back to my childhood, when I had felt very much alone.
My parents had checked out of life, leaving me to grow up without their guidance. And though I’d had Ellynn to lean on, I’d ended up in the role of her caretaker, not the other way around. A sharp pang went through my chest at my loss.
I’m alone now. If You never leave nor forsake, then why do I feel both so keenly? Ellynn and Asher are gone. My parents are who knows where. I’m without people.
You have Ash and Cheye. Chris. Even Charlie.
I bit my lip at my thoughts. Chris and Charlie came into my life right before the loss of Ellynn. In fact, Chris had been in my condo when I’d received the horrifying news. I wasn’t alone when Officer Pratt gave me the report that changed me forever.
I continued to think back and reflect. I tilted my head, remembering one of our neighbors who used to offer us food. Occasionally, she would bring Ellynn and me hand-me-downs, stating her own children could no longer fit in the clothes. Was God’s hand in that as well?
