0114

Susan and Claudia’s bodies were adjusting to their new lifestyle. They didn't wake up until early afternoon. After they got washed and dressed, Susan announced that she wanted to go to the house.

"Child, we wait for night. We not want disturb Sabastian and his friends."

"We'll be quiet."

"We talk about it after we eat," Claudia replied, trying to deflect Susan's request.

"What're we gonna eat?"

"I call cab, we go to diner."

Sol's lawyer had arranged for the house and a sizeable sum of cash. Claudia had a few hundred dollars of this money.

Susan ordered a Belgian waffle with fruit on top, while Claudia had eggs and toast.

They talked aimlessly for a while about the boats in the harbor just behind the diner and the food. Then, out of nowhere, Susan said, "It's hard right now. I know you’re worried. You don't need to be. It'll get better soon."

Claudia looked at the little girl for a moment before saying, "Yes, I sure you right."

"Are you really unhappy?" the little girl asked.

"I am sad, so many good people die." If another child had said this, Claudia would have humored her. But Susan was different, she would see through the lie.

"Yeah, it’s kind of sad. I guess.

"But they died so I could be with Sabastian. It's where I'm supposed to be."

"Is that so little one? How you know?"

"I just know. Besides, my mom is still with me. She's in Sabastian. It's sad about the others. I wish Wayne were with mom, but that's how the waffle crumbles," she said with a giggle, as she put the last piece of her breakfast in her mouth.

Claudia marveled at her little ward. She was so young, yet understood so much. "Let Claudia pay and then we walk through the town."

When Claudia got up, she walked by a woman in her mid fifties. They smiled at each other. When the woman turned back to her coffee, she saw Susan.

The woman's eyes openned wide, as if she had seen a ghost. Susan smiled and waved. The woman waved back and Susan started to play with a plastic dog she had gotten from a happy meal a few nights before.

The woman watched as Claudia came back, gathered Susan, and walked with the little girl toward the town.


[Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005. All rights reserved.]
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