Pressing the Pavement

Arden scowled as she paced back and forth along the smooth stones that filled the Town Square, hands folded tightly behind the small of her back. It was a sunny day, which made her feel somewhat betrayed by the weather. She wanted it to be thundering and lightning; that would fit her mood better. She bit back tears of frustration and anger as she finally plopped down on a bench, slumping over, hands gripped tightly in her lap. Her knuckles turned white, and her face turned red, as she took several deep breaths, trying to calm herself.

Majestic walked to the Waffle Town Square. Shen wanted to be away from the crowds. Majestic saw a girl she hadn't met on a bench. She looked frusterated. Majestic walked over to the girl. "My name is Majestic. Nice to meet you." she said. "You seem bothered."

Arden looked up, surprised. "Huh? Oh." She propped her face up with her hands. "I-I'm fine," she lied, faking a smile for the stranger. Inside, her heart was breaking.

Earlier that day, she had gotten a letter from her aunt and uncle. They were coming home from their trip, and on their way home, they were stopping to pick up Sydney, Arden's cousin, who had stayed with Arden while her parents were overseas. During the months-long period in which Sydney stayed with her, Arden had grown attached to the little girl. In fact, she loved Sydney like her own daughter. How could she just give her up?

"Don't lie." Majestic said. "I can tell from your voice and face expressions that you are bothered." Majestic didn' like being lied too. But she lets it pass for people who aren't a such a good mood.

Arden sighed again. "My cousin is being picked up by her parents," she said simply. She knew that she should probably offer an explanation as to why this upset her so badly, but her throat closed up. She felt like she had a cottonball wedged in there. Swallowing, she added, "I love kids, but I don't have any of my own. Sydney was like my daughter."

"I see...The good question is, why would her parents just leave her like that then just pick her up hwne you've gotten close to her?" Majestic said. "Well, try to enjoy the time you two have together until then." Majestic said. She had kindess in her eyes.

Arden smiled briefly, quickly, before saying, "My aunt and uncle went on a long-term business trip overseas. They didn't want to take the child with them--said it'd be easier for her if she just stayed with a relative--and I offered to take her. I always knew I couldn't, you know, keep her or anything. But I just couldn't help getting attached to her. She's such a sweet little kid."

"Uncle and aunt? What happened to her parents?" Majestic asked. "A lot people feel that when they now have responsibility over something you're not ready for. But it all works out. I don't know what to say then. Just enjoy all your current time together, I guess." she said.