I scrunch my nose. I guess Mother isn't the only one to immediately assume things. “We’re not together.”
“Not right now.”
I roll my eyes before turning to the play room behind us. I open the door with Clara following. “Is this where they all are?”
I nod. “Sabina should be here.”
The door opens to spongy rainbow squares on the floor and swirls of wood on the walls. The sweet and clean aroma of lavender wafts into my nose. Volunteers and counselors play with the younger orphans with various toys, like cars and dolls.
I spot Glaide and Erasmus as they mimic the sounds of cars with some of the boys. They notice me mid sentence and Glaide stands to greet me.
“Hey Amias!” he approaches us. Erasmus stays with the boys, but waves. I return the gesture.
Beside me is a soft gasp. I turn to Clara, gawking towards Erasmus. What's wrong with her?
Before I can ask, Glaide stands before me with his arms wide.
“Hey Glaide!” I grin. “ Nice to see you!” We wrap ourselves in a tight hug. “Everything going okay with the kids?” I pull away from him and hold his shoulders.
“Everything’s been fine.” He peeks behind. “Who's this?”
I look at Clara smiling. I'm sure they will get along. “Oh, that's my new friend Clara. Clara, this is my friend Glaide.”
He raises a brow. “Friend?”
Clara comes closer, standing straight s she reaches her hand out to him. I note that she's slightly taller than him, which means she's way taller for the average woman. “Yes. Nice to meet you.”
Glaide glances between me and her, almost as if suspicious of Clara. I return him a reassuring smile. Why the strange look?
He hesitantly takes Clara's hand, and gives a firm but slow shake. “Yeah. Same to you,friend.” A smirk tugs on his lips.
Before he can say anymore, a familiar little blonde with a green dress runs upholding a little doll. I quickly hand the bread basket to Clara before opening my arms.
"Amee!" She laughs as she jumps to hug my neck. I lift her up and squeeze her tight.
"Sourdough!" I spin us around, making Sabina giggle. She's a precious little kid.
When we stop spinning, she pouts and crosses her arms. “Where were you?”
I mimic her pout. It's a little later than usual. “Sorry. I had to do something before I got here. What were you doing?”
“I had to play with the trucks,” she scrunches her nose. “I wanted to play cat family!”
“No one would play cat family with you?”
She shakes her head. She glares at Glaide. I copy her expression as Glaide titters. “I'll have to have a talk with Glaide then, huh?”
“Yeah!” She gives me a nod before looking over my shoulder. “Who is she?”
"Oh, this is Clara!" I turn to face her. Clara smiles and bows her head. “Clara is a friend of mine.”
“Hello!” Clara chirps. “You must be Sabina.”
Sabina whips her head and scowls at me. “How does she know my name?”
I laugh. “Because I told her about you.”
Sabina squints at her. Clara strains her grin as Sabina keeps silent.
