Chapter 15

A Q U I L A

"Okay everyone shut up," said Iris, owner of Itty Bitties Daycare, clapping her hands. Aquila sat next to Atiya on the colorful carpet, but he felt completely out of place. He negotiated a deal worth millions of dollars, but what would you do with a 4-year-old? He wasn't sure if he would make it out alive. Atiya looked at him and smiled. Her excitement felt a relief in his chest. Contrast with Raquel . Atiya seemed to believe him. It was easy for her. In stark contrast to Raquel , whose tension was palpable. She sat on the edge of her seat, eager to see him turn a profit on any deal. He rounded his shoulders. Just thinking about her stressed him out. He swallowed her saliva, hoping to ward off the sour feeling in his stomach that always came with the thought of her mother. He didn't want anything to do with her anymore. Today was about him, Atiya , and the 20 or so toddlers who surround him. He stood up, straightening her back a little while looking at her. Atiya didn't deserve a distraction man, so she turned her attention to Iris, who was explaining to the kids what they were going to do for the day. "Can someone please pass on what we've learned to our guests?" Iris asked the crowd. Each hand stretched out. "We learned about trees," said a quiet voice beside him. When he turned around, he saw a little girl with curly blonde hair. She looked at him with bright blue eyes. Seeing him recognize herself, she approached him. "Exactly," Iris said, continuing her details. "What's your name?" the girl asked. Aquila stared at her. Why was she talking to him Fear penetrated him. She reached out her hand and tapped him on the shoulder. "Did you forget?"

"forget?"

"Your name. It's okay. It happens to me sometimes." She gave him an encouraging smile and he shook his head. She asked him it was a small child. He could do it. "Aquila . Which one is yours?"

"I'm Summer," she said, pointing to the shirt with her name on her left sleeve. "Nice to meet you, Summer," he said. It was amazing how well this her name of hers suited her. Her hair was as light as the summer sun, and her personality seemed light and airy. "Why are you here? Is she someone's father?" she asked, looking around her room. "I'm with that girl over there." He pointed at Atiya , who seemed to be absorbed in Iris' story. "She's beautiful. She likes her hair," Summer said, elbows on her knees. Around. Maybe she didn't hear me. "Are you two in love?" Summer asked. When he looked down at her, I could see her big innocent eyes. "No, we are just friends."

Summer nodded as she fiddled with her hair. "I'm five years old," she said. "how old you?"

"You're much older than five years old."

He turned his attention back to Iris. Iris was pointing at a human figure made out of leaves. She explained that they were going to go to the neighborhood to find fallen leaves and bring them back. "Can I join your group?" Summer asked, taking his hand. Not knowing what to do, Aquila stroked it several times. "She really likes you," Atiya whispered. He was startled by the sudden sound of her voice and the feel of her breath on his neck. He turned to her and saw her within inches of her face. She pulled back and stared at him. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," she said. However, this time he was less confident. It took Aquila a while to learn how to speak. When he did it, he came up with the most ridiculous thing. "Well, I'm good with women." Why was he so insecure? The moment the last word left his mouth, he wanted to punch himself. Who said that? Atiya opened his eyes wide. "clearly."

"I mean, I have no idea why she likes me." Atiya looked down at Summer, who was still holding his hand. "She doesn't talk to people much. Every time I volunteered here, she was always so far away. Nice to see her interacting with someone. "

When Atiya finished speaking, Summer turned to Atiya and smiled. "Really?" Aquila asked. Atiya nodded. "She lives with her grandparents. She was taken from her family home to be placed in foster care. When they found her grandfather, they took her in. "

A wave of protection rushed through his chest. Suddenly all he wanted was the safety of this little girl. Who are the parents whose children have been taken away? "Seriously?" he asked, trying to keep the sourness in his tone. Atiya opened her eyes wide. "yes."

"That's awful."

She nodded. It's been happening more often lately.

He held her little hand while Iris told them what to do. With his plan in hand, he waved to Summer. "You can be my friend," he said. Her smile almost popped out of her face. "Yay!" she shrieked.

Atiya walked up to him and held the Mohawk boy's hand. She pointed at him. "Can Maddox and I come with you?" she asked. Aquila nodded. "Of course. The more, the better. "

Maddox ran to Summer and they went to the compartment and grabbed their coats. Aquila also followed Atiya and matched his stride. Soon they were all dressed and ready to go. They followed Iris out the door into the autumn air. The sun shone high in the sky and spilled onto the ground. There was a moment when the trees looked like they were on fire as the light shone through the shadows of the leaves. Summer held her hand and he looked down at her. "Want to know what I'll be for Halloween?" she asked, her eyes twinkling as if she had the best secret in the world. He leaned over to see her. "yes."

She threw away his hand and spun in front of him. "Princess" - then she stopped and raised her arms forward - "zombie" Her voice was trembling as she tilted her head to the side and started walking. "Zombie Princess?" Aquila asked. He couldn't help but smile. Summer turned around and nodded. "yes."

"Well, I'm going to be a ninja," Maddox changed his posture and began slicing through the air with his hands. "Ninjas are great," Atiya said as he walked toward them. "So does Princess Zombie," Summer grinned broadly as she ran down the pavement with Maddox. "Don't go too far," Atiya called after them. They turned around, nodded at her, and continued twirling in the air. "So what do you think?" Atiya asked, staring at him. Aquila reached out his hand and picked up the bright red sheet. He held it with a stick and turned it between his fingers. "about what?"

Atiya smiled at him. "Nursery school. Children? There are many groups that could use your help." She lowered her voice. "This could end up spending your money."

He looked at her In truth, he wanted to help her children. Being so close to Summer made him realize the importance of showing her up. He didn't know where to start. He was sure that being here triggered feelings Rose had not experienced until her death. It was his wish for his own family. For my home. "Yes. I can imagine helping out in a place like this. I can be here physically and financially."

She smiled. "I knew that." She touched her shoulder. "You should be a life coach or something."

He smiled at her. There was silence around them. She would be a great life coach. He definitely liked being near her. She made him feel like he could do anything. She was very confident and it was contagious. "What?" Atiya asked, tucking her hair behind her ears. "Why are you grinning so much?"

He shook his head. "none."