Soft light pours in, and on the other side of the glass, I take in the greenery, sparkling fountains, winding paths, and a group of teenagers sitting on the grass, playing cards with a counselor.
My stomach tightens when I scan their faces. None of them is my daughter.
I pull in a deep breath and hold it, swallowing down any doubts that she could be here, that we will be reunited soon.
As we walk, Megan and I carry out small talk until we go past the staff-only rooms and the office. It’s when we come across a large, framed portrait of Mrs. Potter on the wall that she stops.
Mrs. Potter looks almost lifelike, sitting behind her large desk. Her brown hair is touched with gray and smoothed back. The dark suit highlights the warmth in her rich complexion.
Her hands are resting on top of a stack of papers, wrists covered in colorful, mismatched friendship bracelets some children made for her over the years.
“She would have been so happy to know you came back home.” Megan stares at the woman who brought us together,the woman who saved us. “She would have been devastated to hear what happened to your little girl. She would have moved mountains to help you find her.”
Tears prick my eyes. “I’ll never forget what she did for me.” As we start walking again, I turn to look at Megan. “By the way, I noticed at breakfast that the other adults on the pilot program were wearing the silver bracelets.”
“Oh, yes.” She lets out a soft laugh. “After I gave you one yesterday, I thought it was only fair the other trial guests received one as well. A little welcome gesture. We might continue the tradition when we officially launch.”
She comes to a halt in front of two double doors. “This is the executive suite.” She unlocks the right door and ushers me in. We are welcomed by the fresh scent of eucalyptus.
“Mrs. Potter stayed here,” Megan says softly. “Even though we had counselors present at all times, she insisted on sleeping on-site during the week. Especially when we had new children. She wanted to be close in case they woke up in the night and needed her.”
It’s a beautiful space decorated all in white with silver accents. Huge windows overlook the ocean and a balcony stretches across the entire glass wall.
I take in the living room with its white couches, a bathroom whose door is slightly ajar, giving me a peek at a freestanding tub, a small kitchenette with all the appliances one would need.
“It’s lovely.”
“Yes.” She smiles. “Mandy renovated it after she took over. She stayed here whenever work ran late.”
“And now you do.”
“Only temporarily, while she’s in the hospital. I still have my apartment in town. But lately…” She glances around the room. “I hardly go back. It feels strange to leave.”
“So, you’re following in Mrs. Potter’s footsteps?” I blink a few times to clear the haze from my eyes.
“I guess I am. I love being here for the kids, helping them feel safe like she did. If I get the director position, I wouldn’t mind making this my permanent home.”
She ushers me out again, and we make a stop at the meditation room. Through the door I hear a low murmur of voices.
She puts a finger to her lips. “There’s a session in progress right now.”
As we walk on, everything around me shakes and I have to lean against the wall to steady myself.
“Judy, you’re not well. Maybe this tour wasn’t a good idea. I can send one of the nurses to visit you in your room?”
“No, I want to see Sadie’s room…the room she stayed in, I mean.” I push away from the wall and keep walking.
“If you’re sure. Let’s skip everywhere else and go straight there. That way you can get back to your room as soon as possible.”
“Thank you.” This time I’m the one who squeezes her hand. “I really appreciate you doing this, Megan.”
I’m sure she’s bending rules. She can’t be allowed to bring an adult guest to the kids’ side.
She smiles and pulls me close. “I never asked much about your life now. You mentioned you are married already, but what do you do for a living? What did Judy become?”
“I’m a child psychologist.”
“Really?” She pauses. “That’s impressive. I’m so proud of you. I love that you chose a profession that also helps children.”
