The rest of the week passes without much happening. Katrina, Natalie and I chat as if nothing has changed between us. But the air around us is still dense, like we're all just faking it.

I call Natalie after school on Friday. We have a day off on Monday so I was hoping to have her over then.

After a couple rings, she answers.

"Hey!" I start.

"How are things?"

"Pretty good," she sighs.

"Ok so hey, I was wondering, do you wanna hang out on Monday? Since we don't have school? You could come at ten and still till whenever."

There's silence on the other end for a moment.

"Oh umm yeah!" She starts.

"Except that I've got.... I've got an appointment at ten so I'll be there around eleven?" she says.

"Oh ummm... yeah sure!" I say.

I'm confused. I thought she just had an appointment last week.

I can't help myself. I ask, "Didn't you just have an appointment last week?" trying to sound as light natured as I can.

She laughs nervously.

"Well yeah, but... See ya Monday!"

And she hangs up on me.

Something's up with her. I can't tell what but I'm scared.

I put my head in my hands. I think I'll go talk to Genevieve. She has a way of making me calm.

I run downstairs and call to mom and dad.

"I'm going for a walk!"

I see dad do a little wave, and I'm out.

Today, as I come up to Genevieve, she's drawing in the mud with a stick. I come  and sit down next to her.

"Hey!" she exclaims.

"Hi," I reply.

"Is it ok if we talk for a bit?" I ask.

"Of course what's up?" she replies tossing her stick to the ground before turning to face me.

We talk for a while. I find out she does in fact, go to the soup kitchen for food. She tells me that she loves singing, dancing, and drawing. I also find out she remembers the family she once knew.

My tears well up involuntarily when she talks about them.

"They were wonderful," she whispers.

"What happened?" I ask. I immediately regret it because tears start pouring down her cheeks.

"They're gone," she sniffs.

Those two words make tons more questions arise. The big one being, why didn't anyone take her in after she lost her family? But, I decide not to push her farther. It's obviously a very touchy subject so I try to cheer her up.

"Well, tell me what it is that makes you smile so big every day," I request.

She looks up and the corners of her mouth start to turn upward. And before I know it, she's full out grinning like herself again.

"Well," she says.

"Let me show you!"

She starts to pull me up onto my feet before I can say anything.

"Whoa, whoa," I laugh.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see, come on," she insists.

I laugh some more, her excitement extremely contagious.

We walk for what seems like forever. I'm getting really nervous that Genevieve has no idea where she's going or what she's doing. Then I think well, she's probably been there a thousand times. Wherever there is.

All of the sudden, we've stopped- in front of a children's hospital.

My big mouth gets the best of me and I ask in shock, "This place makes you happy?"

Luckily Genevieve finds it funny and laughs.

"You don't get it," she moans teasingly.

"No. I guess I don't," I reply.

She drags me inside loopy with excitement. The manager at the front desk smiles as we walk in.

"Hi Genevieve!" he greets her.

I look from the manager to Genevieve in surprise. I guess she really must be here all the time.

"Hi Luke!" she replies.

"What can I do for you girls?"

"I want to introduce my friend Bridget to some of the patients," she requests.

"Sweet!" says.... Luke.

"Now, Genevieve..." he starts.

"I know," she giggles. "I'll go wash up."

She turns to me and whispers, "Be right back."

I'm left confused. And with Luke.

About fifteen minutes later, Genevieve emerges with sopping wet hair.

"Showers are just the first reason I love this place," she teases. Luke rolls his eyes.

Genevieve props her arms on the counter.

"Is Lacy awake?" she asks Luke.

My head jerks at the name.

Great, I think.

We couldn't have gone to see... Phil or Bailey? We had to choose to visit the kid named Lacy?

"Yep! Wiiiiideee awake," Luke laughs.

"I'll take you two to go see her!" Then to me, "You're gonna love this kid."

We walk down a long hallway before stopping in front of room 132. The plain white door opens to revel a room filled with flowers, books, and stuffed animals. And of course, the little girl sitting in the bed; all her hair gone.
Luke lets us in, tells us to have fun, and rushes back out; probably to get back to his post.

The little girl- Lacy- reaches out her arms saying "Genny!!!!"

Genevieve gives her a big, long hug.

"Lacy," she says, "This is Bridget. She's a new friend of mine."

I just stare at her Lacy. And she stares back. I'd know that face anywhere. Those eyes, her round cheeks and small nose...

"Genevieve, when was she diagnosed?" I ask.

"About a year ago," she answers, looking confused.

I walk up to the bedside, slowly. It can't be... She's gone. She's long gone. Sold as a slave... Or... Or worse.

I touch her cheek gingerly as tears spring to my eyes.

"Lacy?" I whisper, barely daring to hope.

She reaches up and touches my cheek back, smiling wide. "Bridgey! Bridge! Bridge!!!!"

I break down and hug her, while Genevieve looks on; bewildered.

Sobs wretch my body but it's because I've never been happier. Meanwhile Lacy's laughing like a lunatic and screaming "Bridgey!!! I knew you'd find me I just knew it!!!"

I have so many more questions now but none of it matters.

Because in this moment I found the happiness I never thought I'd feel again.