Silent Angels

Chapter Two

Willow

My eyes are fixed on Faye and her eyes are fixed on the room around us. I watch as she studies the stuffed animals, the table full of coloring supplies, the dolls along with a dollhouse, a corner full of books, a couch, and a fuzzy white rug in the middle.

I watch in amusement as her eyes instantly light up at the sight of the dolls and she starts to move them around the house.

"You remember when all I wanted for Christmas was a dollhouse for my little dolls?" She asks as she picks one of the dolls up to look at it more closely. "They weren't as nice as these but they were mine and I just wanted them to have a home." She holds up another one. "Now we're the ones without a home."

"I know, Faye. I'm so sorry that we've had to live like this." I reply as I feel my heart break at her innocent words. "I know this is what you've always dreamed of and I'm so happy for you."

"Is this not what you want?"

I frown as I think it over. This is definitely not how I saw myself being classified but is it what I want?

At just that moment, a woman with blonde hair and big green eyes walks into the room with a smile so big I can see every one of her teeth.

"Hi girls! I'm Jessica." She introduces herself as she walks fully into the room and closes the door behind her.

"I'm Willow and this is Faye." I reply, pointing to my sister who stares up at Jessica with a matching big smile.

"I'm so happy to meet you both. I definitely want to get to know you both a little better but how about I kick things off? I already told you my name is Jessica Pattington and I'm twenty-five years old. I'm a first grade teacher at the elementary school down the road so I have the summer off right now to meet littles so I'm very excited. I've dreamed about being a mommy since I was a little girl so today is a really big deal to me. How about you two?"

"We both just turned eighteen two days ago. Our mom died of cancer two years ago and our dad left a long time ago so right now it's just Faye and I. Also, I'm sure Mrs. Williamson explained that Faye doesn't talk but she is so excited about today too. She's dreamed of this for so long."

"I'm so sorry about your past I know how hard it is to lose someone you love." She then turns to my sister. "Hi, sweet girl. What have you got? Is that a doll?"

Faye nods her head with a smile so wide it reaches her eyes.

"She's so pretty just like you. And she has such a nice house, how did she afford those countertops? I've wanted those for years!" Jessica plays along with Faye.

Faye lets out an adorable giggle at Jessica's words and my smile grows a little wider too.

Faye then picks up two more dolls and hands one to Jessica and one to me. She then moves her doll into the kitchen and Jessica makes hers follow in after her.

Faye makes her doll wave at Jessica's and Jessica's waves back as they engage in some sort of baking competition between the dolls. And somewhere along the way, I become the judge and crown Faye's doll the winner after Jessica's doll used salt instead of sugar in her cupcakes.

Faye gets up to go find something else to play with when she trips over a toy firetruck and falls flat on her face. She sits up and immediately tears fill her eyes. Jessica makes her way over to her just as she starts to cry; she lifts Faye into her arms and carries her over to the couch where she sets her in her lap as she rocks her side to side. Faye is facing Jessica so her head is in Jessica's neck as she continues to cry.

"Oh, it's okay, baby girl." Jessica says as she rocks her back and forth in an attempt to console her. "I know it hurts to fall. That mean firetruck was standing right in your way! That wasn't very nice of him. Willow, why don't you put Mr. Firetruck in timeout for hurting Faye."

I quickly move the firetruck into the corner as Faye peeks up from Jessica's neck to check and see if I did it and I see her begin to calm down.

"Thank you, darling for helping your sister." Jessica says to me. "That was very sweet of Willow, wasn't it?" She asks Faye.

Faye nods as she smiles at me.

"You two are such sweet sisters, I would be absolutely happy if you choose to pick me." Jessica says as she looks back and forth between us. "I know taking care of just one little is a lot of work but I have the next few months off so I can put all of my time into taking care of and helping you two."

"Thank you. I think I can speak for both of us when I say we both really enjoyed your company and we have a lot to think about." I reply as Faye nods in agreement.

Just then, the door opens to reveal Mrs. Williamson.

"Okay, Miss Pattington, your time is up. Girls, the next caregiver will be with you shortly." She explains.

After telling Jessica goodbye, Faye and I are left alone.

"I love her, Will!" Faye squeals. "I really want her to be my mommy, our mommy!"

"I liked her a lot too, Faye. But we still have the rest of today and tomorrow to meet more caregivers." I remind her.

"You're right."

But none of the caregivers we met that day could even hold a candle to Jessica's caring nature and big smile.

"Okay girls, how did it go?" Mrs. Williamson asks us at the end of the day.

"Good, I think we've met some really good options." I reply.

I look over and see Faye nodding in agreement.

"I'm glad. So, tomorrow will be more of this so you girls try to get some good rest tonight, okay?"

We both share a look.

Faye's little eyes fill with tears and sniffles leave her mouth. I think today made her realize how much she misses having a family and a place to call home.

"Oh no, are you okay, sweetheart? Did I say something wrong? I didn't mean to make you upset." Mrs. Williamson apologizes just as her phone rings.

"Oh hi Mallory! Yes, the girls are still in here. Of course I will." She then hangs up the phone.

"Mallory would like to speak to you at the front desk now. I'll see you girls tomorrow." Mrs. Williamson tells us.

"Ok, thank you." I reply before we head back into the waiting room.

"Hey Faye and Willow! How did things go?" Mallory asks us as we approach the front desk.

"Things went really well. We're both really excited." I reply truthfully.

"That's great. Well, I wanted to let you both know that I have a spare room in my house that's totally open if you two would like to have somewhere to stay until you get settled with your caregiver."

Faye's eyes light up at the offer and she turns her hopeful eyes toward me.

"Are you sure? We really wouldn't want to impose..." I let out.

"Oh no! It's no problem at all! You girls are so sweet, it's no problem for you to stay just a couple of days."

"Well, if you're sure, then we would love that." 

Sorry it's a day late!

~Abbie Grace