Saving My Life

Poor Kenz

"Kenz, what do you want for lunch?" Ariana asks, since we are taking special care of her.

"Grilled cheese." She says tapping on her kindle with her intact right hand.

"Ok. Sure thing. Coming right up." Ariana says, getting all of the materials.

"Kenz, how you feeling?" I ask.

"Better, I guess. My arm still hurts." She says, sadly.

"Yea. I'm sorry. It's gonna hurt for a while." I reply.

"Ok. When can I go back to daycare?" She asks, excitedly.

"Kenzie, listen." I say and she looks at me with hopeful eyes. "I know you want to see your friends and go to daycare, but you're gonna have to wait at least a week until you can go back to daycare." I finish, sadly.

"But... what about Claire?" She asks, tears in her eyes and her voice cracking.

"I'm sorry Kenzie. You'll get to see her again. Don't worry. I'm really sorry Kenz."

"But I'll miss her." She says bursting into tears.

"I know, Kenz. But that's how it has to go. Come here." I pick her up carefully and she lays her head on my shoulder while I rub her back.

"It's ok sweetie." Ariana says, trying to comfort her.

"Lets go get you cleaned up before lunch." I say walking to the downstairs bathroom.

"Where am I gonna be while you work?" She asks as swipe her face.

"Well, Taylor is on break for a month and she offered to take care of you this week, until you go back to daycare. How would you like that?"

"It's ok, I guess. I just wanna go to daycare."

"I know, Kenz. I'm sorry. Really sorry."

"It's alright. It's my fault anyway." She says, glumly.

"No it's not, Kenz. People fall all the time. You're all cleaned up. Let's go eat lunch.

"Ok." She says, lifting her one available arm to me.

I pick her up and walk back to the dining room.

"Feeling better?" Ariana and Sean both ask, which makes me think they planned it.

"I guess so. I learned my lesson."

"Good. Sit so we can eat." They both take their seats and we dig in.

"I'm stuffed."

"Me too. Who knew grilled cheeses could be so filling?"

"Alright, Kenzie. Nap time."

"But..." She begins.

"No buts. You need your rest."

"Ok." She pouts and I pick her up. After she is safely in her crib, I go downstairs and watch TV with Sean and Ariana.

"How is she?"

"Fine. Though you literally just saw her. She's still a little sad though. I feel bad for her, still."

"Yea. I wish the daycare had a section for hurt kids to be. Then she could have kids with things in common. They could also have special toys that can't hurt them."

"Yea. That's a good idea. It probably won't happen though." I say, yawning. I fall asleep a couple minutes later. Sean carries me up to my room and into my bed.