Chapter 9

Lucy's POV

I woke up when the sun was playing peek-a-boo with my curtains.Something smelled yummy downstairs - Annie was making breakfast! All our helpers had a day off today, so it had to be Annie in the kitchen. She was the only grown-up who could make pancakes smell this good!

I jumped out of bed and ran to my window. The grass looked all sparkly in the morning sun. Our big house felt different now that Annie was here.Better. The other ladies who took care of me always left quick, but Annie felt...special.

I wanted to say good morning to her so bad. The words were in my head,but they got stuck in my throat, like they always did since Mommy and Daddy went away. The doctor said there was a reason I couldn't talk, but I just knew it felt like my words were locked up tight.

"Lucy? Time to wake up,sweetheart!"

Annie came to my door in her pretty blue dress. Her smile wasn't fake like other grown-ups. It was real and warm, like Mommy's used to be.

"Ready for school?"

I nodded and sat at my mirror. Annie was super gentle when she brushed my hair- not pulling at all! In the mirror, I watched her make silly faces while she concentrated. "Let's make your hair extra pretty today!" She started doing twisty braids. "We should get you some new hair ties soon. These old ones are getting tired." The way she did my braids reminded me of Mommy. My chest got tight thinking about that, so I wwatched Annie instead. She made the whole house feel less empty. Even Uncle Howard's serious face got softer when she was around.

"All done!" Annie finished my braids. She turned to get something from her bag.

This was my chance! I slipped down from the chair super quiet, like a ninja. Annie was still looking in her bag when I tip-toed out.

I knew exactly where to go. Yesterday, when Annie was unpacking, I saw her hang up a pretty blue dress in her room. It looked just like the one she was wearing today!

When Annie came looking for me, I was standing in her room pointing at her dress, then at myself. This was howv I talked - not with words, but with showing things.

Annie's eyes got all sparkly when she understood. "You want us to match?

I nodded so hard my new braids bounced everywhere.

"That's perfect!"

Soon I was twirling in my own blue dress just like Annie's. She watched me spin with that special mommy look that made my heart feel warm and fuzzy. I showed her my biggest, happiest smile ad a extra twirl in my matching dress. She and Uncle Howard could make a perfect couple, it hit me. Morning at school was always the same. Uncle Howard would drop me off early,his goodbye smile carrying that hint of worry I pretended not to notice. My Teachers would greet me with her gentle "Good morning,Lucy,"not expecting an answer anymore.

I liked being early. The classroom was quiet then, peaceful.I could arrange my colored pencils in rainbow order, each one perfectly straight.

During circle time, I sat in my usual spot by the window, where I could watch the leaves dance in the breeze. We sang our morning songs-I moved my lips without sound, but my fingers tapped the rhythm on my knees. When my teacher read us "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," I traced the butterfly patterns I'd memorized on my palm.

But then came art time, and everything changed.

Something was wrong with Brian. Really wrong.

I watched from my corner as he pressed his red crayon into the paper. His hand moved back and forth, back and forth, angry lines getting darker until the paper tore. It wasn't like before, when he'd draw perfect green dinosaurs and show everyone how to make the spikes just right. I knew he learned it from his mother, my Annie. I felt sad that he changed. He was good at painting. "Careful with the materials, Brian," My art teacher said softly. But Brian just grabbed another crayon, his face all scrunched up like he was trying not to cry. At recess, Brian stood alone by the slide. Tommy tried to play with him,like he used to, but Brian shoved him hard into the sandbox. As Tommy started crying, I saw Brian's hands shake - just like mine do when the memories get too big and the words get stuck.

"He's mean now," Emma whispered to Jenny. "Since his mommy went away. But I thought he wanted it."

I looked down at my drawing-a family of butterflies, free and together.Carefully, I folded it and put it in my pocket. Maybe I could show it to Uncle Howard and Annie later. If they could just be together,then I could have mom and dad again.

Uncle Howard picked me up from school today. He was talking on his phone about boring grown-up stuff the whole way home, quite unusual but I didn't know why. I was excited to see Annie! She always waits by the door with my favorite apple slices and that special warm smile that makes my whole day better.

But when we got home, Annie wasn't there.

Annie, I said out loud though only I could hear. I peeked into the living room, my heart doing happy little jumps. Maybe she was hiding! She likes to play games with me sometimes.

I tiptoed to check behind the big armchair where we read stories. Not there!I giggled,feeling like a detective on a mission, Next, I looked in the sunroom where we watch birds together. She wasn't there either,but I saw a pretty red cardinal that made me wish Annie was there to see it too.I checked my bedroom, then the art room where she loved to do her painting. With each empty room, my excitement grew bigger. Annie must be planning something really special! Uncle Howard went straight to his office for more phone calls.Grown-ups are so boring sometimes! But that was okay-I had an important mission!

I ran up the stairs, checking every room. My legs were getting tired, but I didn't care. Finding Annie was like a treasure hunt, and she was the best treasure ever!

Then I reached the kitchen.

My heart stopped doing its happy dance.

Annie was lying on the floor, her face white as the snow we made angels in last winter. Just like Mommy and Daddy looked before the real angels came for them.

My legs got all wobbly. I knelt beside her and touched her arm really gentle.

She didn't move.

I shook her arm a tiny bit harder.

Nothing.

My eyes got all hot and blurry. No, no, no! Not like Mommy and Daddy! I can't lose another mommy!But then I remembered what my teacher at school says: when scary things happen, take a big breath and think about what to do. So I did. Annie needed help. And Uncle Howard could help! I ran to his office so fast my socks slipped on the floor. He was still on his phone, talking about numbers and meetings and other boring things. I pulled his sleeve, but he did that annoying grown-up "one minute"

finger wiggle.

I pulled harder, but he just turned away. Why? He was so different today after my school. He usually gave his time whenever I needed. What is happening?

Annie needed help NOW!

My chest felt like it would explode. I saw Annie's white face in my mind,and suddenly all the words that had been stuck inside me for so long came rushing out like a tidal wave.

"Mom's on the kitchen floor!"

Uncle Howard's phone crashed to the ground just like last time in the hospital.

"Lucy?"

Annie was standing in the doorway! Her face wasn't white anymore-it was pink and pretty. She recovered so soon and it was so strange.

"Did you just call mne Mom?"