“That’ll be her.”
He stepped aside so Lauren could open the door.
A woman in her fifties stood there in a quilted coat, one hand resting on the shoulder of the little girl from the restaurant.
Maddie.
Clean now.
Hair redone into neater braids.
Wearing an oversized cardigan over the same dress.
Holding a single white rose in both hands like it was a serious responsibility.
The moment she saw Lauren, her face lit up.
Not the wild hunger-happiness from before.
Something calmer.
Safer.
More childlike.
“Hi,” she said.
Lauren felt her whole chest ache.
“Hi, sweetheart.”
Maddie held out the rose.
“This is for you.”
Lauren took it carefully.
“It’s beautiful.”
“My aunt said ladies like flowers.”
Lauren glanced at the woman, who gave a tired little shrug that said she had done her best.
Lauren smiled.
“This lady definitely does.”
Maddie looked down at the floor.
