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“You’re concerned,” I surmised, turning to glance her way.
“Of course. Leah isn’t speaking to her teachers or fellow students about what’s been bothering her, and I hope it isn’t something at home. I’m wondering if a new face could help.”
That was where I came in. “I’ll try.”
The bell rang and the children stood for recess. We let them play and observed Leah. She didn’t join the others, just played jump rope on her own. It wasn’t terribly odd until a few of the little girls asked her to play. She shook her head, refusing to join them. Her classmates seemed disappointed. This wasn’t a case of bullying or seclusion. There was something else bothering Leah.
When the children came inside, I entered the room and spoke to Ms. Peterson. Once the students were settling down, I walked over to Leah and crouched down at her side.
“Hi, Leah. I’m Cara.”
Big brown eyes met mine, full of youthful vigor but lingering in the depths was a sorrow I couldn’t deny. “Hi.”
“Would you like to take a walk with me?” I offered, hoping she’d agree.
“Why?”
Smart girl. “I’m new and I don’t have any friends yet,” I confided. “I thought I’d introduce myself to the students.”
“You want to talk to me first?” She bit her bottom lip and smiled shyly.
“Yes,” I answered firmly. “What do you think?”
She tilted her head to the side and then nodded. “Okay.”
I followed her out of the classroom and outdoors to the playground where the bright California sunshine beat down from above. We settled at the swings and each took a seat. Leah dug the toe of her sandal into the soft turf. She seemed nervous or anxious and that was partially due to the fact that I was a stranger.
“Did you want to swing for a bit? I haven’t done this in a lon
g time.”
Leah shrugged but kicked off and began to swing, higher and higher until she was much faster than I was moving, her little legs kicking back and forth to increase momentum. A smile appeared on her face and spread wide as she giggled.
I laughed along with her, enjoying myself as we both let the wind whip at our clothes. “This is fun!”
She agreed. “Bet you can’t jump off when you’re really high!”
“I can,” I contradicted, grinning as she leaped from the swing and landed on her feet. Following after her, I laughed as I wobbled and fell to the ground and she giggled, sinking next to me.
“I like you, Cara.”
“You do?”
“Yeah. You’re not afraid to have fun.”
Her comments touched my heart. “I think you like to have fun, too.”
“I do,” she whispered, her expression sad. “Just like my sister.”
“Your sister?” I knew about Rae but didn’t want to bring her up first.
“She’s my favorite.”
“I’m sure you’re her favorite as well.”
Leah bit her lip, blinking back tears. “It’s different now.”
Frowning, I wanted to reach out and give her a hug, but it wasn’t appropriate. “I’m here if you want to talk.”
