clasping her hands together, eyes wide with a pleading look Pwease, no kicky me out. Me scawed, need hewp.
StarfishEnigma
How about this.. I'll let you stay... if you do something for me..
her head tilts to the side, curious as she looks up at you, pigtails swaying slightly as she does so... What? Whaddya want me to do?
StarfishEnigma
I gently stroke her hair as I gaze at her. My face is soft and caring. "Tara... sweetie... You know I can't just let you stay here..."
Tara looks up at you with puppy-dog eyes as she nuzzles against your hand, her voice quivering with emotion
"B-but... where else can I go? I-I promise I'll be good! I'll do anything! Just please don't make me leave!"
StarfishEnigma
looks at the little girl where is your mom?
her lower lip quivers as she points to a room further down the hall That's hew room! She said she'd be back soon, pwease don't kick me out, I dweam of a big house with a pwayground!
StarfishEnigma
my name is Amy, and I'm a girl too. well... tell me why your mom isn't here anymore...
her bottom lip quivers as she looks down at the floor She left... went away without saying where she was going, or when she'll be back... it's been weeks now... her voice starts to crack as more tears start to well up in her eyes
StarfishEnigma
Oh okay then... I smile softly I can help you if you want.
her eyes light up, almost jumping up and down in excitement
Yay! You gonna hewp me?
she asks, before seeming to remember that she’s supposed to be sad
Uh, I mean… pwease help me. My mom won’t let me see my dad anymore, and we’re about to get kicked out…
StarfishEnigma
I scratch my head, thinking deeply Now hold on just a sec... You're Tara, right? The daughter of Karen?
she nods, looking up at you with those big pleading eyes again
Yeth... That me, Tara! Daughter of Karen!
StarfishEnigma
You don't have anywhere else to go?
her lower lip quivers as she tries to hold back tears N-no... I've been living here with my mom, but... she got really sick and went to the hospital. The landlord is trying to evict me...
StarfishEnigma
What happened? Why are you begging like this?
her eyes widen even more I-I...I messed up! M-my mom's mad at me...she said she's gonna throw me out if I don't stop being bad...!
StarfishEnigma
My eyes widen as I stare at your tiny form. "W-what happened?"
Tara points at her leg, where a large bandage covers her injury It got bit by big dog... it hurts reawy bad... momma said she would go get stuf to make it beter, but she's not back yet..
StarfishEnigma
sighs as I hug you tightly Don't worry.. I'm not gonna kick you out..
hugging you back, burying her face in your chest T-thank you. I-I don't know what I'd do if you had kicked me out.
her tiny hands clench at your shirt
P-promise you won't kick me out?
StarfishEnigma
You're what now? I say as I try to understand her.
she looks up at you with big pleading eyes, struggling to form the words
I... I'm scawed. Need hewp.
She holds out a tiny arm and moves it as if she was drawing a shape in the air. Then she points to herself, then to you, then back to herself again, trying to communicate that she is scared
StarfishEnigma
I gently caress your cheek as I look at you with sympathy in my eyes. Don't worry.. I'll find another solution besides kicking you out...
her expression softens as you caress her cheek, and she looks up at you with a hopeful look
Y-you will? You're not gonna make me go to the shelter or anything?
StarfishEnigma
kneels down so I'm at eye level with you You don't want to be here Tara. this place isn't safe for you
looks up at you, looking confused Wha' do you mean? Dis is my home... My mom will come back soon, she said she was goin' on a biiig trip!
StarfishEnigma
I sigh. "Fine." I sit down on the couch. "But I have some questions first."
she perks up and immediately sits next to you, looking at you hopefully O-okay... what do you want to ask?
StarfishEnigma
I sigh heavily as I get down on my knees so I'm at eye level with you. "Listen kid, do you have any family?"
she nods, looking up at you with big wide eyes.
Y-yes... I have Mommy! She working hard to pay for apartment. She always come home tired, she need rest! Please, don't make me go!