Jack chuckled. “Not yet, mate. But perhaps I will get her one soon. She’s a lovely girl, very spirited. I am rather glad I met her. She’s gotten me out of a scrape or two.”
“You should get her one!” Elise smiled widely. “I think she’d like that. Nobody wears hats like that where I come from. Only in pictures they do.” She looked up at him, “Why what trouble did you get in? My daddy used to get in trouble a lot too. Or at least he says he did.”
Oh god- don’t ever repeat that. Anyway, how’re you feeling, sweetheart?
It’s okay. I’ve heard swears before. You hear ‘em all of the time just walking in the street where I live. People are angry these days.
I’m okay, Mrs. Hockley. My mama took me to see a doctor and he said I was okay.. but I don’t feel that good.
“That’s all right. Are you not feeling well?” Jack frowned. “Rose is a very pretty name too. I have a friend by that name.” he grinned.
“I don’t know. I think I’m okay though.” She smiled up at him. “Really? Who’s your friend?” Elise pointed at his hat. “Does she have a hat like yours too?”
and I walked away with the most satisfying smile on my face.
Why would they say something so mean about you?
You’re so nice!
“Ginger has become a synonym for red- I like it.” Syrena smiled. “Yes. But it suits you better.” She liked the little girl. She seemed very sweet.
Elise smiled, “Thanks. My sisters both have red hair. I guess I wanted to be like them.” She gave a light shrug which was then followed by a cough. “I’m sorry, I’ve been coughing a lot lately.”
Syrena smiled. “Thank you.” She tilted her head. “What is ginger?”
“Red hair.” She laughed, “They all have red hair. Mine’s brown. But your hair’s sort of brown too so I guess it’s okay.”
“Seven years old…” Jack mused. “My, you are old for your age!” She was a cute child. “Is it, now? Jack’s a good name.” he grinned.
Elise began to laugh but it was interrupted by a small yet harsh sounding cough. “‘M sorry. I’ve been coughing a bit lately.” She nodded, “Jack’s a very good name. And I like my mum’s name too. It’s Rose. I think it’s pretty.”
“Honey, you’re sick. I can hear it in your cough” She was so precious that the mere thought of her being deathly ill scared the shit out of her. Gwen got up from her kneel and held her hand out. “Come on, lets at least get you checked out. We have a Doctor who travels with us. My husband can call him and we’ll have you checked out. I’ll take you out for candy afterwards. Promise”
Elise shook her head, “I’m really not. I’m okay. And my sisters are going to be looking for me-” Just then, an older looking redheaded girl came running over to Elise. “Aw, Lici!” She sighed, out of breath. “You half scared me to death. Why’d you run off like that, Lici?” The girl turned to Gwen, now noticing her. “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m Jane. I’m this one’s older sister.” She beamed, always willing to be friendly.
Hearing the cough, it alarmed Gwen almost immediately. “Honey, are you alright?” She knew the little girl would brush it off. “I have a special Doctor. He’s always on call, if I took you to him, would you go?” She knew she was merely a stranger to Elise, but if she was Rose’s girl, she just wanted to help her. Seeing a child in some kind of distress would always cause Gwendolyn to coming running to the child’s rescue.
“No thankyou, uh.. Mrs. Gwendolyn.” She couldn’t remember her last name by now. “I’m alright. It’s just a cough.” Elise gave her another characteristic smile. “See, I’m okay.”
Gwen went to answer and she knew, that moment— Elise was Rose’s. It was better placed now whose she was, but of course, Gwen stayed quiet about it. “You can! It’s fun. I did a few times when I was a child”
Being rather observant, Elise noticed a change in Gwen’s demeanor. She seemed surprised or something when Elise had mentioned that her mother had lived in England. She couldn’t fathom why. What did that matter? Elise gave a light cough into the elbow of her jacket. Her chest felt funny and seemed to tighten as she did so but she didn’t think much about it. It was just a cough. “That’s so neat. The most I’ve ever petted is a dog.. or a cat.. maybe a horse.” She shrugged.
“It’s fine, love” The little girl made her smile a bit more when she mentioned Whales and Wales. “Haha, actually— we do, but they are in the zoo in Cardiff. Gorgeous too. You can pet them and everything. We’re all the way across the pond, far away from here”
She gasped, “You can pet a whale? That’s weird! Have you ever petted a whale?” Elise nodded, “I know how far away Wales is. My mum once lived in England or something.”
“I’m actually from Swansea, Wales. My accent is obviously. I cannot seem to keep it together. I live in Philly with my husband, Cal, and our twins” Gwen couldn’t put her finger how close she looked to two people she knew. “Dear, what are your parents names?”
“I don’t think I’m really supposed to tell strangers that sort of stuff.” She shook her head, “I don’t think my mama and my daddy would like it. I live right here though.. in New York.” She looked at her and raised an eyebrow, “Wales? I’ve never met anybody from Wales. Do they have actual whales there?”
Shaking the little girl’s hand and smiled “Nobody calls me Wendy, just Gwen. But you know what? I really like your name” Oh god, she was in love with this little girl. She was overwhelmingly cute.
She shrugged, “Nobody calls my sister Gwen. I don’t really know why we call her Wendy. But we do. And thanks.” Elise crinkled her nose and stared at the woman, “Where are you from? You don’t live around here, do you?”
Gwen couldn’t help herself. This little girl was so precious. Kneeling down as she adjusted her dress. “Hi there, Elise. ‘m Gwendolyn—” She smiled warmly. “Nice to meet you, cutie”
“My sister’s name is Gwendolyn.” She smiled, “We just call her Wendy though.” Elise reached out her hand. She thought that’s what you were supposed to do when you met new people. She’d seen her parents do that anyways. “It’s nice to meet you too.”
Elise looked at the lady in front of her. She was wearing nice clothes and certainly looked out of place around most of the people around here. Regardless, Elise went up to her and waved, “Hi!” She said smiling, “My name’s Elise. Who are you?”
Jack crouched down to say hello. “Hello there, little one. You can call me Jack if you like.” He smiled. “Elise Dawson is such a pretty name for such a pretty little girl.”
“I’m not that little. I’m seven.” She said proudly. “But, I’m almost eight.” Elise beamed at him, “Thanks. I like your name too. My daddy’s name is Jack.”
Syrena smiled. “Hello, Elise.” She beamed at the compliment. “I am Syrena. You are also very pretty, little one.”
“Thanks.” Elise gave her a warm smile back. “But, I wish I was ginger like my sisters. It’s okay though. Your name is pretty too.”
