Several well-used girl's toys and pink dolls lined the shelves of the cramped quarters where Ashley lay in bed, a thermometer sticking out of her mouth. Cup cuddled next to her, sleeping soundly. In front of her is the catalogue turned to the same page that featured the cute pink dress. Mary stood next to her bedside, overcome with sadness as she knew what was in her daughter's mind.
If only she could afford it... heck, she'd give her daughter the world. But for now, she had other matters to tend to.
"Hmmm..." her mother, Mary, said as she sat down at the edge of the bed and removed the thermometer. "Well, the good news is, you won't be bugging everyone tonight with your dancing, 'cause you have a fever, young lady." With that, she kissed her daughter on the forehead.
"Before, you always used to sing to me when I was sick," the little girl said. "Please?"
"Promise you'll go to bed afterwards?"
Ashley nodded.
Her mother smiled and leaned close, softly stroking Ashley's hair as she began to sing a soft, ballad-like lullaby.
"I feel much better now," Ashley said with a smile before turning to her precious kitten, who was now purring loudly, still asleep. "And Cup does too."
Within minutes, Ashley drifted off to sleep, as promised. Mary watched for a while before she stood up and quietly made her way out of her quarters, only to be met with a chorus of applause from a gathering of the other residents. She gestured back to her quarters, indicating Ashley was sleeping, and the praise quieted some.
"You have a lovely voice, girl," Esther said with a soft smile.
Mary gave her an embarrassed grin. "Thanks. I used to do musical theatre years ago."
"Have you given any thought to trying it again?"
Mary shook her head. "Not after my back surgery. It's okay. I'd rather spend more time with my daughter... and finding a job."
"Well, you'll never know. Maybe one day..." Esther said reassuringly, a sentiment at which the others nodded.
"Yes. Maybe."
***
As Morgan entered, she frowned as she heard the nearby hallway erupt into applause. Had she missed something? What could there possibly be to clap about in a place like this?
Not letting it get to her, she continued making her way to George's quarters, shivering at the freezing shelter air.
By the time she reached the little room where George sat at his desk, she was downright frozen. She tried not to show it as she rapped her knuckles against the open doorway.
George hopped up from his seat with anticipation. "I was wondering where you were. Everybody's excited about the show."
Morgan couldn't keep the disappointment from showing.
"Hope you didn't mind that I told them..." He trailed off, noting the dejected look on her face. "What?"
"I'm sorry, George," she said quietly. "I really tried."
An awkward silence blanketed the two of them, and Morgan knew it was her fault. She watched his expression change from suppressed excitement to something far more depressing.
"No, hey... It's fine," he said quietly. "I mean... I... better get back to this studying. Make the most of it while I still have a roof over my head." He sank back down into his chair and turned toward his desk.
