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17 hr. ago
EmotionalString7170
The Sleepover
“I had the best time,” she said, swinging her legs beneath the chair, her heels knocked against the metal legs.
“There were fairy lights and those little banners that say Happy Birthday. Jessie had set up a whole corner with pillows and rugs like we were in a castle.”
The man across from her sat still, listening attentively. “Sounds like a special night!”
She nodded. “There were soft cupcakes, too, with cute pink icing. But I didn’t eat one. I just held it for a while.”
He raised an eyebrow.
She grinned. “Jessie has a toy bunny. She left it on the floor, and I hugged it when I lay down. It’s soft but a little smelly.”
The man spoke gently. “Did Jessie have a great time too?”
She looked up at the ceiling, thinking. “I dunno...she cried when she saw me holding the bunny. Maybe she thought I’d break it.”
Her voice dropped. “She didn’t say anything, though. Just ran inside in tears.”
The man gently scratched his own cheek.
“I didn’t mean to make her upset,” she added quickly. “I told her I just loved her toy. But I think maybe she was too sleepy to hear.”
“So, Jessie is the same age with you, sweetheart?”
She gave him a happy look. “Eight, just like me!"
The man nodded. There was a brief moment of silence between them.
Suddenly, she squinted at him. Laughing. “Mister, you really look like my dad!”
The man tilted his head, chuckling, then said playfully, “Why do you think I look like your daddy, sweetie?”
She giggled. “Same hair. Your voice is like his too.”
Before he could speak again, the door behind him opened sharply. A woman in scrubs rushed in. She was breathless and pale with relief.
“There you are, Ava,” the woman said, rushing to her side. “We’ve been searching you since last night.”
The man stood, resting his hands on hips. “She was found in a house nearby. Probably thinking she was having a sleepover. No one saw her come in.”
The woman knelt beside Ava. “Sweetheart, we’ve talked about this, right? About staying inside at all times?”
Ava blinked at her. “But I had fun. Jessie was there too."
Both the man and the woman didn't reply, just looked at each other.
Ava looked back. “Can I go to Jessie’s again next week?” she asked brightly. “Maybe this time, she won’t cry.”
"Oh Ava, I know you miss Jessie so much, but she's in heaven now. Remember? That girl was not her," said the woman.
Ava's stare went blank.
"Let's pray for Jessie once we get home, okay?" The woman grabbed Ava's hand and led her out.
As Ava and the woman left the door, the man just shook his head lightly and smiled.
"Thank you, Officer Williams," said her, closing the door.
The man sat down, glanced down at his notes and wrote: Ava Parker, 76. Missing from Rosehill Nursing Home: May 4th—Found: May 5th