Milo and Maisie

Chapter Victory through Air Power: Disney Traditions

Feya and Maisie didn't speak to each other until Saturday, the day of Disney Traditions. Until then, they kept their distance. Feya went to work, and Maisie holed up in her room, reading and checking for adoptable pets in Florida online. She only left to buy groceries and look at cats, none of which Milo was interested in. Although slightly frustrated, Maisie gave him time. Milo would eventually find that "perfect" sibling.

Mrs. Foster kept pushing Maisie to give Feya another chance, but fear and memories held her back.

Feya wanted it, too. Every day, she slipped a note under Maisie's door that read, Are you ready yet?

Maisie never answered.

Eventually, Disney Traditions came, and she had no choice but to leave her room, only to bump into Feya eating breakfast in the kitchen. Maisie could not stop staring at her prosthetic leg.

Noticing her, Feya tucked it under the counter. "Hey," she said lowly. "So, today's the day, huh? Disney Traditions? If you... um... want, I can take you to Apprentice Hall. I'm off today."

"I think I'm okay, Feya." Maisie looked away from her and opened the freezer to grab a sausage biscuit.

"Maisie, please, I need to practice."

A bang told Maisie Feya had fallen getting out of her seat. She whirled around and saw her on the ground, Daisy beside her.

"Wooden floors aren't very friendly on it," Feya explained, standing. "I normally wear socks or shoes but haven't lately."

"Please be careful, Feya," Maisie said. "I don't want you getting more hurt than you already are."

She shrugged. "Hey, my daddy told me that if you fall, you're learning. He always said that when we skied in Bukovel before the war."

"You ski?"

"Used to, Maisie."

"Have you tried re-learning?"

"I'm waiting until a little more time passes." Feya patted her prosthetic thigh. "I cannot ski right now."

"Feya, I'm really sorry." Maisie placed her biscuit in the microwave and started it.

She shrugged. "It's whatever. It only takes a day for your life to change forever. Something tells me you know that, too." Feya rested her elbow on the counter. "Did you lose a loved one?"

Maisie cringed. She froze and remained that way for a while.

"You did, didn't you?" Feya moved closer. "Please, Maisie, let me help you. I haven't lost a family member, but I have lost my best friend, who was like a sister to me."

"I don't want to talk about it." Maisie bit into her biscuit.

"That's cool." Feya returned to the bar and crossed her right leg over her left. "Then I'll just wait."

"You really do not know the meaning of 'personal space', right?"

Feya smiled. "Nope."

A small chuckle left Maisie's lips, but she became serious again. "I would tell you, but what I've experienced doesn't compare to you."

"Grief is grief, no matter what triggers it." Feya uncrossed her legs. "Come on, girl, let's start all over. I'll take you down to Apprentice Hall, and you can tell me when you're ready. Deal?" She offered Maisie her hand.

"Start All Over". That was another one of Maisie's favorite childhood Hannah Montana songs. She thought about her mother's words and Feya's past. Feya needed her as much as she did. A dog could only do so much.