My toddler daughter was playing on the structure with the ropes and slide and stuff right in the middle of the place and there was an older girl, probably of middle school age by the look of her; tall and thin with long dark hair running along with my daughter and playing right along, the two girls made good company together. Getting re-situated at home, with the stroller and stuff, I got a better look at our new friend. “ But she lets me do what I want in the afternoon. What’s your name?”
“ Ronnie,” she told me as we started to walk out of the park. Can I hang with you guys?”
Fat, lazy raindrops landed with a splat here and there; I wasn’t about to argue as we neared our doorstep. Lightning flashed high up in distant nimbus cloud columns while strapping my child into the stroller, the other little girl being nearby and helpfully gathering our playthings.
