LITMIR.BIZ

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don’t know anything about the person who did this. He dumped the contents of Ms. Winston’s purse on the street, but he didn’t take her money. We don’t know what he was looking for or if he found it. I can’t say if the children are in danger. I’ll call you when I have more information.” He briefly touched my hand. “Feel free to call me anytime.”

      “Thank you,” I said.

      I went inside and sank onto the sofa with Majestic by my side and Hermione at my feet. Lurleen sat on my other side, one arm around me, handing me tissues with the other as I cried and told her what had happened. She teared up when I told her about seeing Ellie in the morgue and as I wondered aloud about what would happen to the children.

      “Will they let you keep them?” she asked.

      I shrugged. “I don’t know. They’ll be looking for Ellie’s mother. She wasn’t much of a mother to Ellie, but perhaps she’ll want the kids. I have them for now—that’s all I know.”

      “I can help you with them every day. I want to help you and them.”

      I squeezed her hand. “What would I do without you?”

      Lurleen smiled. “Oh, chérie, I’m not going anywhere.” She handed me a tissue and kept one for herself. We sat together silently for several seconds. Lurleen squeezed my hand every time I sighed. I didn’t have to explain to her how I was feeling; she understood.

      I decided I would let the children sleep. It would be the last innocent sleep either one of them would ever have. As it turned out, I couldn’t keep that decision. Lucie came padding out to us. I’d made her wear socks to bed. Old houses can be drafty.

      “I heard the policeman come and go. I waited until you came home. It’s about Mom, isn’t it? Something’s happened to Mom.”

      I took Lucie in my arms and sat her on my lap. “Something terrible has happened. I’m so sorry, Lucie.”

      “My mother isn’t coming back, is she?”

      “No, Lucie. Your mother isn’t coming back. She died tonight.”

      Lucie buried her head in my neck. I could feel my top becoming wet with her tears.

      “I knew something terrible was going to happen,” Lucie cried. “I knew it. This time it wasn’t going to be okay, no matter what Mommy said.”

      “I’m so sorry,” I said and rocked her back and forth. I was crying too. I stroked her head, and we sat together in silence for a few minutes.

      Lucie finally sat up and looked at me with dark blue eyes that reminded me of her mother’s. “How did she die?” she asked me.

      “Do you really want to know?”

      Lucie nodded.

      “She was shot, Luce. She probably died instantly.”

      Lucie nodded again. “What will happen to Jason and me?”

      “Your mother wrote a note saying she wanted you to stay with me. That’s where you’ll stay until the police find your grandmother or your father.”

      “I don’t want to live with them.” Lucie started crying again. “Or with anyone else. I want to live with you, Aunt Di. Jason and I won’t be any trouble. I promise.”

      I hugged her tighter. “It’s not about being trouble, honey. You couldn’t be any trouble if you tried. I’d love you to stay with me always, but I may not have that right. Let’s just take it one day at a time. For now, you’re both safe with me.”

      I hoped that was true.

      Chapter Three

      Lurleen stayed with us that night. She insisted I go to bed, and she slept on the couch. She had coffee brewing in the kitchen when I woke up.

      “Is there anything else I can do?”

      “You’ve done plenty,” I said.

      We heard stirring in the bedroom, and a moment later Lucie walked out slowly with her monkey in one hand. She looked embarrassed when she realized she was clutching it and started to go back to her room.

      “Wait, wait,” said Lurleen. “May I see it?” Lurleen took it tenderly from Lucie. “This looks like a sad little monkey,” she said.

      With that, Lucie burst into tears and let me gather her onto my lap.

      Lurleen knelt beside her. “I’m so sorry,” she said. She kissed her on top of her head and gave her back the stuffed animal. “Maybe you can comfort each other.”

      Lurleen reached over Lucie and hugged me. “Call me later. Right now the children need to be alone with you.”

      I nodded a thank you, and she let herself out.

      Saturday was rough.

      Lucie understood what had happened, but it’s hard to explain to a four-year-old that his mother is never coming back. I tried to comfort them both and answer Jason’s repeated questions about when his mother was coming home. Lucie said their mother was in heaven but was watching over them.

      “Will she come home for my birthday?”

      “No, Jason,” Lucie explained patiently. “She can’t come home for your birthday. She’s too far away.”

      “I will bring her back from far away. I’m Superman. I can find her in the sky.”

      “No, Jason. She’s in a place even Superman can’t go.”

      Jason’s lower lip trembled.

      “We’ll make a big cake for you tomorrow with lots of candles,” I said. “Shall we invite Lurleen and make it a party?”

      “Yes.” Jason climbed up beside me on the couch. “I want my mommy to come too.” He burst into tears. I cuddled him, and he finally fell asleep beside me sucking his thumb. His left hand clutched his Spider-Man figure.

      Jason’s birthday gave us something else to focus on. Lurleen was thrilled to be included. “I’ll bring all the favors and decorations,” she said. “You’ll have to do the cake, of course, but I’ll handle everything else. What favors do five-year-old boys like? Maybe they’ll know at Party City. Do children still play Pin the Tail on the Donkey?”

      I realized this party was going to be over the top with Lurleen directing the show. Maybe that was what we needed. “Focus on action heroes,” I said, “and Jason will be a friend for life.”

      We settled on three o’clock Sunday for Jason’s party. That way we’d have time to make a cake and celebrate with whatever Lurleen had in store. The kids could still get to bed at a reasonable time to go to school on Monday. If they were up to going.

      I tried not to cry in front of the children, and Lucie tried not to cry in front of Jason. I called my boss at the Children’s Refugee Clinic to cancel my work for Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday.

      “I’m so sorry, Vic, for the short notice. I know Saturdays can be a free-for-all.” Saturday was often the only day folks could come in. It was a half day of nonstop action.

      “We’ll make do,” Victoria said. “Just take care of the children.” Vic was always understanding. It was one reason I loved working at the clinic. No matter how big the problem or how hectic the day, Vic stayed calm and supportive. I promised to call her as soon as I knew more.

      Jason was okay for most of Saturday, but at bedtime he wanted his mama. Lucie did too. She didn’t say a word, but I’ve never seen a child look so miserable. I climbed into their bed, put an arm around each of them, and we all cried and held on to each other.

      I left them when I could hear the rhythmic breathing that told me they were both finally asleep. It was after nine, and I knew for me it would be another long night. I hadn’t bothered to get the mail, so I got it now. The evening was clear, warm, full of stars, the kind of night

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