Leanne stands in her foyer with a pile of stuff. She wears a pair of grey and white cotton pajamas with a button down top, and a hounds-tooth pattern on them. Despite her short stature she towers over a five year old who wears purple butterfly pajamas, and clings to a fleece blanket. Leanne shoves down all the overwhelming feelings bubbling to the surface. She shifts into triage mode, as it is the only thing she can think to do. She squats down next to the precious girl with an angelic face, and a pair of dimples.
"Are you hungry?"
The little one shakes her head.
"Thirsty?"
Another headshake.
"I bet your daddy probably reads you stories before bed, huh? Did he pack any in your bag?"
She shrugs. Leanne unzips a bag, and finds a story book, and a cheap plastic book of pictures.
"Should we start with these?"
She elicits absolutely no response.
"I bet you're pretty scared. Your daddy said you had a pretty rough day. He wasn't feeling his best, and now you're here with me. I know no matter how many pictures you've seen, or stories that you've heard I still seem like a stranger."
Ariel descends the stairs. She smiles, and waves. She gently touches Leanne's elbow. Leanne locks eyes with her.
"Mom, I really need my orange shirt for school spirit day tomorrow. Did you put it in the dryer?"
Leanne furrows her brow. "Maybe."
Ariel winks, "Go check."
Leanne retreats from the room. Less than two minutes later she returns with an orange t-shirt hanging from a plastic hanger. As she rounds the corner into the hall she finds Ariel sitting on the floor with her legs outstretched. The little one leans against her as Ariel makes ridiculous voices, and brings a stuffed unicorn to life. As she notices Leanne approach she whispers into the little girl's ear.
Leanne waves the shirt in Ariel's direction. She smiles, and retreats up the stairs. Leanne slowly lowers herself to the floor. She notices that the pair of braids have vanished.
"I see you've met Ariel."
"She said you wouldn't be upset with me," she answers.
Leanne tilts her head, "Why could I be upset with you?"
"Because I want my daddy."
Leanne shakes her head, "I would never be upset with you for that."
She scoots across the floor towards Leanne who sits there with legs folded at the knee.
"I'm scared," her lip quivers as she looks up at Leanne.
Leanne's hand comes to rest under the little girl's chin. "Can I tell you a secret?"
The little one dutifully nods, "Yes."
"I'm scared too."
"Am I supposed to call you Dr. Rorish?"
Leanne laughs, "No, not unless you want to."
She smirks for a moment, "I only call daddy Dr. Hudson when I'm upset with him. He makes faces, and pretends he's cross with me."
"Then please don't call me Dr. Rorish unless it feels necessary."
"I suppose I am upset with you too," she reveals.
"Oh."
"At school when we had muffins for moms I cried until daddy let me stay home. It made me really sad."
Leanne's nostrils flare, and her jaw stiffens as she attempts to stave off tears. She looks that blessed little one in the eyes. "I am so sorry."
"I'm just a little girl, and I still need a mommy."
She nods, and pats the back of her tiny dimpled hand, "Yes you do."
Without another word she climbs into Leanne's lap. She presses her tiny body against her, and presses her ear to her chest. Leanne tucks her chin on top of her daughter's head. Her arms secure her.
"Daddy said that I'm not named after a character in Toy Story. I'm not sure if that's true or, not. He says you're a little bit of a cowboy. I'm not sure how a girl can be a cowboy."
"I hope that you're not disappointed, but you are not named after a Toy Story character."
"Daddy said something about whoever it is being a superhero," she rambles on.
"Not all heroes wear capes," Leanne points out.
"Is the Jesse I'm named after a hero?"
Leanne's lips curl into a smile, "Well he's certainly on of mine."
"I'm pretty sleepy. It's past my bedtime. I'm only allowed to stay up until eight thirty. Daddy always says that I think he's said late thirty."
"Jesse, I was not prepared for you. Where would you like to sleep? I can make up the couch. You can sleep on a nest on the floor, kind of like camping. Or you can sleep in bed with me. To be fair Ariel insists that I snore."
"Can I sleep with Ariel? She does a great impression of Princess Rainbow Sparkle Sunshine Ice Cream McPony."
Leanne's eyes fall to the tie dye unicorn stuffed animal with a rainbow mane that lies on the floor.
"Let's go ask her."