Cocoa

Cocoa’s mom lifts up Cocoa and gently sets them in their caramel brown wooden chair. Cocoa takes one look at their food and then turns away, refusing to eat the mush.

“Cocoa, it’s tasty!” says Taffy, “You should try some.” Cocoa slowly picks up their spoon trusting their sister and takes a small bite.

Cocoa’s mom smiles, “Is it good?” she asks. Cocoa shakes their head and spits out their food in disgust. 

After dinner, Cocoa’s dad helps Cocoa change into their blue space-themed pajamas and tucks them into bed, leaving the light on because Cocoa won’t sleep without it. Cocoa looks around at the log walls and old fashioned chandelier that hangs from the center of the ceiling.

The next morning Cocoa’s mother announces, “Today, we have to brush your hair!” Cocoa reaches up and grabs their messy, medium length dark curls. Then, they plop down on the wood floor and let out a distressed wail. Tears well in their big brown eyes. Suddenly, they hear a knock. Cocoa wipes the tears from their face and stands up, interested to see who it is.

Cocoa’s dad answers the door and Cocoa sees two people standing there in official looking uniforms. The people sit down with Cocoa’s parents and Cocoa is sent to wait in their room. After a while, Cocoa’s mom walks to Cocoa's room and tells them they have to get dressed and will be going with these people for a little bit. Cocoa’s mom helps them into a new dress, throws a few things in a bag and leads them to the door to put their turquoise cowboy boots on. They slip their boots on quickly.  Cocoa can feel the tag of their dress touching their back. Cocoa

However, there is no time to cut the tag off as one of the people is already leading them to the car. The other one opens the door to the black SUV, helps Cocoa in and clips the seatbelt around them. One person slams the door, and Cocoa flinches away from the sound. The people get in, and the woman turns and says,”Hi, my name is Margot. How are you today, Cocoa?” Cocoa stays silent. “Cocoa,” the lady says, “your aunt said that you were having problems with your parents so we had to come and collect you.” Cocoa just stares, confused by the use of collect in that sentence.

“It’s ok if you don’t want to talk.” The other person assures Cocoa.

Margot adds, “ You will stay with us until we figure out if you will go to your aunt or back to your parents.”

Once they arrive at a yellow and white house, the other person, Sam, tries to help Cocoa out of the car, but they just jump and land with a boom from their cowboy boots hitting the ground. As soon as Margot opens the door, a little scruffy brown dog runs out, and Cocoa squats down to hug him. The dog looks up in surprise but doesn't move. “It’s ok, Cookie.” Margot says to the dog laughing. After a few seconds, a phone rings, and Cocoa stands up quickly, startled by the noise. Sam gets the phone out of his pocket and answers the call, “Sam speaking. Who is this?”

“This is Jim, Ms. Matthew's lawyer. I am calling regarding the Cocoa Jades situation.” Cocoa doesn’t hear the rest because Sam sees them listening and turns his volume down. Cocoa knows that the call is about their aunt and them because Matthew is their aunt's last name. Margot brings Cocoa in the house to a weird, sterile kitchen and holds up a loaf of whole wheat bread but Cocoa shakes their head no. Cocoa hates seedy bread and wishes they had plain white bread like they do at home.

A few minutes later, Sam comes in and whispers something to Margot. Cocoa sits down on the ground under the round, painted table and the dog comes and sits on their lap. Cocoa waits for someone to tell them what is happening next. Sam and Margot talk for another minute and Cocoa overhears Margot whisper, ”We should keep them here a little longer in case the police find evidence of murder. Their parents could have forced Ms. Matthews to write the confession note saying she lied about Cocoa being abused, then killed her.”

“That's not possible. They were home, and we know Cocoa’s aunt couldn't have kids. Her note even said that she was jealous of her sister and wanted custody of Cocoa. That's clear motive to lie on the report. The police also said it was an obvious suicide. Besides, the child needs their parents and sister!” Sam whispered back exasperatedly, looking annoyed. 

Finally, Sam walks over to Cocoa and tells them they are going home. Cocoa gets up with the dog still in their arms and follows Sam to the door. At the door, Sam says in a kind voice, “Put the doggy down, we are going now.” Cocoa shakes their head and holds Cookie tighter. “Fine,” Sam decides, “we can bring him in the car.” Cocoa jumps up and down in excitement a few times before heading to the automobile. Once Sam helps them into the vehicle, they put the dog on their lap and sit there waiting for the big black car to begin moving.

When they arrive back home, Cocoa runs across the driveway to their parents. Cocoa’s dad, Carl, talks to Sam and tells him he got Margot's call about his sister-in-law’s death. Clearly in shock, Cocoa’s mom adds that it was all very sudden and unexpected, and she was always close with her sister until she had Taffy and Cocoa.

Sam gently takes the dog from Cocoa’s arms and their mom walks them to the front door. Cocoa starts crying and tries to pull on the tag on their dress indicating it is annoying them. Cocoa’s mom asks, “ What’s wrong sweetie? You are home now.”

Taffy responds for Cocoa, “ I think the dress has a tag that we forgot to cut off.” Their mom smiles briefly and asks them if they want to change. Cocoa nods and they start to head inside, but before they make it to their room, Cocoa’s dad walks in with Cookie trailing behind.

“We have a dog now!” he shouts, “They were fostering him and since he and Cocoa got along so well, Sam says we can keep him.” Cocoa screeches in excitement and runs over to Cookie who jumps up, sensing their happiness.