Just Run! - A Modern Romance

By Deborah Showjohn

Elly grew up running from the terror of her Aunt's live-in boyfriends by hiding in a closet. So, when she began being stalked in Boston where she worked as a nurse, she told herself it was par for the course of her life. As the threats from the man invaded her privacy she decided to once again run and hide. She got in her car, left her adopted family, and drove west. When she arrived in White River Falls Montana and ran into the Police Chief who was also a rancher, she felt safe. It didn't take long for her and Evan to "click." She found a job in an ER and their relationship deepened. Then out of nowhere things began to feel wrong. She felt those old feelings of being watched, being found, and being vulnerable. Then it happened. She was snatched and found herself in the fight of her life. She had learned how to survive and if she couldn't run, she would fight with every ounce in her small body. She would put those self-defense lessons to work and take charge of her life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jun 16, 2018
• ISBN: 9781387886906

Book preview

Just Run! - A Modern Romance

Just Run!

A Modern Romance

By Deborah Showjohn

Copyright ©2018 by Deborah Showjohn

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, copied in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise transmitted without written permission from the publisher. You must not circulate this book in any format.

First Printing:  2018

ISBN 978-1-387-83341-2

Lulu Publishing

Chapter 1

Headed for her car after a long day in the ER, Elly was thinking only of dinner in front of the TV or with a book in her hand.  After the briefing on Monday from security, her guard should have been up.  She’d been extra careful for a couple of days, but she hadn’t seen the guy at all and tonight she was just really, really tired.  One minute she was thinking about dinner, maybe a glass of wine and the next her arm was twisted around her and she was being dragged behind a van.  She screamed and began to struggle and felt an arm around her neck squeezing.  She gasped and fought. The world around her began to turn to black and white.  She tore at the arm trying to breathe, slowly sinking into darkness.

Waking up in the ER with staff around her doing the stuff to her she usually did for others confused her and she tried to get up.  One of the residents pushed her back.

Elly, stay still.  We’re checking you out. Mary Ellen directed.  The police are on their way and security is right outside. She continued to check Elly’s body for injury asking, Any pain here? Or here? as she poked and prodded.

Elly shook her head and tried to speak.  Her voice wouldn’t come and her throat hurt.  She remembered the arm tightening around her, and a sob escaped her as she began to tremble. 

She heard Ceces’s voice in her ear, It’s okay, Elly.  You’re safe.  We’re here with you. I’m here with you and Mom is on her way.

Cece Creswell and Elly’s relationship went way back to junior high school. They’d gone through nursing school together and now worked in the same ER.  Cece was a tall, beautiful, dark-haired woman with a phenomenal figure.  She turned heads like a celebrity, but never seemed to notice the attention.  She accentuated her height and loved wearing stiletto heels – not in the ER, but everywhere else.  She and Elly knew everything about each other.  Elly knew Cece’s entire family and loved them all.  Elly had no family, now.  She’d had a foster mother growing up, Mama Jane, who was lovely, a kind and loving woman, Mama Jane had been friends with Cece’s mother.  She and Elly had both spent a lot of time with Cece’s family, and, when Jane Hartley had died of cancer when Elly was eighteen, the Creswell’s pretty much adopted her.  From then on, Cece and Elly had been like true sisters.  Before, Cece had been the lone female, besides her mother, in a family of boys, four to be exact, so Elly helped even out the numbers.  Cece always said the two of them more than equaled four guys.  Elly reached a trembling hand for Cece’s. 

Elly’s mind was racing.  She knew she hadn’t been paying attention. She’d known better.  Its what security had told her.  It would only take once.  Stalkers were focused; the rest of us weren’t.  A stalker.  Jess Norris.  She’d met him at a friend’s party in college and had agreed to meet him for a drink.  He’d seemed nice enough, but at the bar she had begun to feel uncomfortable.  He sat right next to her in the booth instead of across from her.  He’d leaned in closer and closer. 

When she had decided she’d had enough and rose to leave, he’d followed her to her car and then pressured her to go out.  She’d been firm and dismissive.  He certainly would not have been confused by her demeanor then or anytime since.  But, he’d began showing up at her apartment, at social events and, after graduation, at the hospital.  She’d told Cece who’d began to watch for him, too.  Elly decided he must be following her.  How else was he able to be everywhere she was? That’s how it felt.

She thought she’d lost him when she graduated and moved to a new apartment. But, he’d showed up at the hospital and tried to strong-arm her into stepping outside.  Security had been notified and, after that, they showed up whenever he was spotted on the security cameras or were notified he had come back.  She had gone in on Monday to talk to security when she had noticed him in the parking lot both at the hospital and at her apartment.  She’d also received an unsigned letter that had been pushed under her apartment door describing the writer’s love for her, how she needed to submit to his will. He ranted that he was her connection to God. It was crazy.  She had taken it to security. She should have followed their advice to the letter. They’d told her to never let her guard down and to get a restraining order.  It was evident at this point how crazy Jess was.  Elly was terrified.  He knew way too much about her.  At least maybe now the police could do something.

After she’d been treated in the ER, Security and the police interviewed her.  Had she seen the assailant?  Well, no.  He’d come from behind, but she was sure it was Jess as he’d been stalking her.  They’d talk to him, but without someone being able to identify him it would be circumstantial.

What about the letter?  They’d ask him about it and see if they could find prints.  Security promised to review the cameras, but the location where he’d grabbed her wasn’t a good angle for them.  An employee had heard a sound, saw a guy dragging her; he’d shouted and rushed over.  He saw someone running, but only from the back.  The employee had gone straight to her side and, as a result, couldn’t identify the runner.  She was grateful to the admitting clerk, but so wished that someone had seen Jess in the act. 

She was allowed to leave the hospital at her insistence and Cece, along with her Mom, Kate, insisted she come home to the Creswell’s.  Cece still lived at home although she’d been thinking of moving to an apartment of her own.  She’d decided she needed some independence from the brothers who were, according to Cece, worse than her parents, about getting into her business.  The only problem would be the slash her shoe budget would take once she started paying rent.

Kate and Spence Creswell, Cece’s parents, made over Elly’s injuries and were very upset when Cece gave them the details about what had happened and what had been happening. Spence called an Attorney friend to get started on a restraining order, immediately.

Elly felt safe at the Creswell’s and stayed a couple of weeks.  She was afraid to go home.  She’d called the police, but no arrest had been made. They’d brought Jess in and he had denied everything.  There were no prints on the letter, and Jess’s craftiness frightened her even further.  She knew she would have to go home eventually.  She was living in scrubs and was missing her stuff.  She decided to return home on her day off.  Thank God the days were getting longer.  It was almost April. 

From that point on she hardly went anywhere, and, when she had to run an errand or go into work, she was vigilant.  She sought escorts and was actively looking for an apartment with a doorman even though they were rare at the price point she could afford. She couldn’t eat. She was losing weight.  Cece said she was starting to look like a refugee.  Elly jumped at every noise.  She had trouble sleeping.  She was a mess.  She saw fewer and fewer of her friends.  She totally lost it the day that human resources asked her if she was looking for another job. 

No, why do you ask? she replied curiously. 

We got a call asking for employment and other information.

Did they identify themselves? Elly asked in a panic. 

No, they said they weren’t at liberty at this time to disclose that information.

What did you tell them?  Elly demanded. She could tell the woman was taken aback.

Why nothing.  Everything is private unless we get a release from you.  The only information I can give out is that you are employed here and for how long you’ve been employed.  Everything else we treat as confidential.

Oh, thank you!  Elly breathed and let the woman know why and how grateful she felt at the other’s official reticence. 

Oh, dear, the woman commiserated.  Maybe you should look for another job somewhere far away from Boston.  We get listings all the time.  I can forward them to you on email and you can check them out.

Maybe so, Elly said weakly and went on about her day in the ER.  Fortunately, her days were so busy it didn’t leave time for worry, but the idea of leaving Boston stayed with her and that night she thought a long time about it before calling Cece.

You can’t leave me, Cece wailed.  I should let my brothers kill that guy. 

We’d have to spend our vacations visiting them in prison, Elly said, trying to joke about it.  No, Cece, really, think about it.  I could go somewhere completely different.  I could tell the hospital HR not to give any information out about me without checking with me first. Actually, the woman said she would red line my file.  Evidently, this kind of thing happens with Doctors and Nurses.  I could get another cell phone number.  You and your family would be the only people who would know where I would be.  I’d be free to live normally.  You could come visit me.  We’d have fun. We could vacation together.

It wouldn’t be the same, El.  You know that.  I would argue all night about this if I thought it would help, but my parents said the same exact thing.  They are really worried.  Where would you go?

I have two weeks coming.  I was thinking tonight about it.  HR is sending me a list of openings around the country. What if I packed my car while it is in the locked garage here, drove it over to your parents’ house and put it in the garage. I could unpack it there and drive back to my apartment. You could pick me up on my day off and we could go car shopping in your car.  Your car is dented, and it would look like you were shopping for cars. You have been wanting to do that. I could find a new car and have my car towed like it had broken down.  The new car could be delivered to your home.  I could pack it up and leave it in your parent’s garage for a couple of days.  You could pick me up here the two days my car would appear to be in the garage.  Then one night I would hide in your backseat or something and go home with you. It would look like I was working late.  You could pull into the garage and I would leave in the middle of the night in the new car.  I would drive across the country – you know I’ve always wanted to go on a road trip.  I could look around, find a place that’s pretty, maybe in the mountains or along a coast, somewhere you’d like to visit.  Maybe just getting out of town for two weeks would help.

You have been thinking about this.  Oh, I wish I could go with you. We could have such fun.  That’s one of the problems with working in the same department.  We can’t both go at the same time.  Let me talk to Mom and Dad and see what they think.  I’m sure they would be fine with the plan, but it might be nice to see how feasible they think it would be.

Great!  Can you do it tonight?  Now that I’ve thought about it, I am really eager to go. I guess I need a break from all this.  At least the restraining order was granted, and I haven’t caught sight of him since the attack. Once I’ve traveled a few miles and don’t see him, then I’ll feel good.  I wish they’d arrest him even for a few hours.  I could get away for sure then.

I’ll talk to Mom and Dad now and call you straight back. Give me thirty minutes.

Cool!  Elly disconnected and, suddenly eager, began packing.  She drug out three suitcases and packed scrubs, just in case, vacation clothing, personal things.  She was still packing when Cece called back.

Hey, Elly said into the phone.

Mom and Dad think the plan is a good idea.  They don’t want you to move away, but they think that getting out of town is a great idea.  They just wish you weren’t going alone.

There is no one but you with whom I’d want to travel.

When do you want to look for cars?

Tomorrow.  I’ll stop packing and look online so I’ll know what I want. I’ll go in early and talk to Human Resources.

I knew you’d be packing. You’re always so impatient to get started.

Is tomorrow good for you?

Sure.  I’m thinking of a new car, too, so we might as well both test drive them.

Elly slept well that night for the first time in weeks.  After work the next day, Cece followed Elly home and picked her up allowing Elly’s car to stay in the garage.  Elly kept her eyes on the mirror attached to the sun visor to watch for someone following them.  She had yet to spot Jess in a car.  Security had told her that they couldn’t find a car registered to him, but he had a driver’s license. 

They headed for Honda first.  They both test drove a Honda Civic and liked it, but it was pretty expensive. They also looked at Subarus.  The next night they test drove the Ford Fusion and liked it, but it was pretty expensive, too. The checked out the Chevys across the street.  The third night they test drove a Toyota Corolla and a Prius and went home to talk to the Creswell parents.  After a lively discussion, Elly decided on the Fusion and Cece was still favoring the Civic. 

Human Resources at the hospital suggested she take copies of her records along with her.  They could seal the envelope with their stamp.  They could fax or resend any or all if required, but she would have a leg up.  They recommended she not mention the stalking until she was on the job. No use advertising something that will probably never be an issue.  One of the Human resources’ counselors talked to her a long time.

Elly, my suggestion would be to find a job in a small town or rural area.  You’d think that would make you easier to find.  However, everyone in those places knows everyone else.  I’m from a little town in Missouri, Jenny Prater continued.  No one comes into town that doesn’t get noticed and looked over pretty good.  I think it makes it even safer than a large city where people pass the same people every day but never look at them.

Elly had thought about this conversation a lot and raised it at the Creswell’s. 

You might not have a lot of people around in your age group to socialize with, Cece pointed out.  And who would you date?

Who do I date now?  Elly replied.  I don’t socialize at all anymore.

Yes, that’s true, but that’s the fault of this crazy guy. Cece returned.  Mom is from a small town.  What do you think, Mom?

I think it’s a good idea and it doesn’t have to be forever, Kate replied.  Your friend, Jenny, is right about small areas.  You are young and pretty.  I’ll bet they’ll keep good tabs on you.  Just make sure you tell your colleagues and any friends you make, once you take a job, about the stalker.  They’ll pay greater attention.  You might also visit any local police or sheriff’s office.  A lot of rural towns don’t have police but depend on the County Sheriff and his officers to enforce the law.   

Thank you, Kate.  What will I do without you all? Tears filled Elly’s eyes.  At the same time tears filled Kate’s and Cece’s eyes. 

Hey, girls, Spence protested.  Once we get over this hump, things will get better.  Crazy people rarely hide their craziness too long.  When Elly leaves, this guy will probably fixate on someone else and he’ll do something to get caught.  It’s just a matter of time.

I hope so! they all responded in unison and began laughing. 

I’ll tell you what, Spence said.  If this works out, we’ll fly you home for Memorial Day weekend, the 4th and Thanksgiving and Christmas, unless Cece wants to come to you instead. When are you scheduled to leave? 

I’m leaving in two weeks.  Elly’s eyes filled again when he called their home her home. I’ll pack my car; the bags are ready except for a few things.  I’ll drive over and pull into the garage and unload the day before delivery of the new car. It will be delivered here three days before and Cece will put it into the garage. My car will be towed the very next day and I’ll get rides or take the bus to work.  Then on the last day I’ll figure out a way to get out of the hospital with no one spotting me and hunker down in Cece’s back seat.  We’ll come here.  I’ll nap until late into the night or early the next morning, maybe 2:00 a.m. and take off.

It is ridiculous that this man can create a situation like this, expostulated Kate.  It really makes me angry.  I wish we had time to put you though a self-defense class.

Jon Kim teaches self-defense for women at night at the community center.  Elly, you know Jon.  He’s so nice.  His wife just found out she’s pregnant.  I’ll bet he would be happy to give you a few tips, ventured Cece.

I’m willing if he has the time.  I don’t want to make it too evident that I might be making preparations, responded Elly.

Actually, this will look like the next logical step for you — learning to protect yourself doesn’t imply running away. Cece replied. Oh, Elly, I didn’t mean that to sound critical! I know you aren’t exactly running away just ... taking evasive action.

No, I’m running away, as fast as I can. Elly grinned, Don’t worry about it.  Sometimes you stay and fight; sometimes you retreat.  I’m investigating a retreat.  If it doesn’t work out, I’ll try and find a way to fight back. I thought of learning to fire a gun and purchasing one for home, but my birth Mom was killed with a gun and it just doesn’t feel right.  She sighed thinking of the Mom she never had a chance to know.  

Yeah...., I don’t think that’s the way to go, yet, Spence mused.  If you find a place you want to stay, you might check out the state laws regarding carrying a weapon.

Oh, Spence, Kate said worriedly.  I just hate guns.  I would hate to see our girls forced into carrying guns.

Elly loved it when she said our girls and couldn’t stop herself from first hugging Cece, then Kate with more tears.

Oh, God, moaned Spence.  Women and tears.  It’s just too much. At that Kate and the girls started to giggle.

I’d best get home and prepare the apartment for Dan and Dash, Elly sighed.  Are you sure it will be okay for them to stay there while I’m gone?  I don’t want anyone else getting hurt.

Dan and Dash were the Creswell twins, Daniel and Dashiell. They were both about six foot three, strong and unafraid, but they were young, only twenty-two and just about out of college.  They were excited about staying in the apartment and if Elly found a job, they wanted to take it over.  They were both going to medical school the following year and her apartment was perfectly located for easy access to the school and the hospital.  Plus, there were two bedrooms and two baths.  Elly had hoped that she’d eventually find a roommate, but under the circumstances hadn’t looked too hard.  She didn’t want to put anyone else what she was going through.

Are you kidding?  They are thrilled, and I doubt if that squirrel, Jess, has the courage to mess with the boys, Cece said with disgust. I wish there was a way we could get Jess picked up while the switch was taking place.  Dad, what do you think?

I’ll talk to Chris Dempsey and see if there’s anything they can do to help.  I don’t want to talk to too many people as the fewer people who know Elly is leaving the safer she’ll be.  Elly, one more thing.  I want you to write to us using a Post Office Box.  Do not write here. If we were out, our mail would be accessible.  As persistent as this guy is, I want to take no chances.  There is a post office near my office and I can check at lunch or on break and bring the messages home. You might want to get an additional email address and use it to contact the family.  You may be able to avoid the postal service altogether.

I’ll do that.  I’m taking my laptop, printer and stuff with me so they won’t be accessible for examination.  I have my new cell phone and you have my cell number.  I’ll activate it as soon as possible.  It’s supposed to be completely unavailable to anyone to whom I have not given the number.  You all have it.  I will activate it immediately before I leave and call you all from the hospital the same day.  If the boys need it, tell them to memorize it; don’t store it.  I am so sorry for all this trouble.  Elly suddenly felt embarrassed at the terrible imposition and said so.

Elly, you’re like one of our babies.  Babies are never an imposition or a trouble.  We love you.  Kate hugged her again as she said these words and Spence moaned again.

No more tears, he said.  Save them for the real goodbye.  That will be hard enough.

Chapter 2

Elly pulled away from the Creswell’s two weeks later with tears streaming down her face.  Spence had managed to get Jess pulled in for questioning one more time and so she left at midnight knowing he wasn’t going to be released until after 2:00 a.m. sometime. The boys were at the apartment and were going to leave the TV on.  Her new car had been licensed and insured and she was ready to go.  Everything she thought she’d need was packed in the truck or back seat, including her most precious keepsakes.  The rest of anything personal was stored at the Creswell’s.  If she had to come back, they insisted that she live with them until this episode in her life was finished.

As she drove onto the freeway she realized a sudden sense of relief and freedom at not being watched or followed. Her tears dried up and she pressed the accelerator.  She’d get as far as she could without falling asleep at the wheel before she’d stop to rest.  She was getting excited. She had gone on vacation with the Creswell’s often, but she’d never, ever taken off on her own.  She glanced at the road atlas in the seat next to her and thrilled at the cover.  She was twenty-four.  She had people who loved her and she was having an adventure. 

She drove through the night listening to a classical rock & roll station and then her iPod. She hummed and sang as she drove enjoying the sense of freedom and release.  She felt lighter and happier than she’d been in weeks.  The car drove beautifully, and gas mileage was great.  She didn’t have to stop and then only for a restroom break and breakfast.  She filled up while she was stopped, keeping alert, her eyes open and her antennae high, always checking.  When she was done, she looked at her map for awhile and checked her addresses and appointments.  She checked her route and decided to stop for an overnight in downtown Cleveland at a really large hotel.  She could park under the hotel.  Then she would just rest. watching movies, getting room service and plotting her route to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to check out a nursing job.  

She started the engine and headed down I-90 for Cleveland, Ohio’s Marriott Downtown.  She could walk around there and see a few things, too.  Maybe visit a museum.  She needed a walk and it had looked so pretty online.  Kate had made the reservations herself and stressed to the hotel the importance of security.  They were very accommodating and reassured Kate that a young woman would be as safe there as in her own home. 

Ha! Elly thought aloud, Safer than my home these days isn’t saying much!  She laughed happily at the thought of walking the city streets.  Maybe she’d make time to go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  She’d call home, too.  She so wished Cece were with her.  What fun they’d have.  She didn’t mind being alone, however. 

She’d spent her early childhood hiding in a bedroom closet playing, dreaming or reading. She’d learned to read early, and it was her salvation.  Vickie would pile loads of library books in the closet.  The books were her friends.  She’d felt safest when no one was in the house or while hiding in her closet.  Her Aunt Vickie who’d taken her after her mother had died had a series of boyfriends.  None of them were nice, some of them were really mean and abusive, and the ones who pretended to be nice were downright evil.  They paid the bills while they stayed which was Vickie’s main need.  It was just safer to stay in a closet.  Sometimes, a boyfriend came and left and never knew she lived there.  Vickie would slip her food and take her out early and bring her back when he was at work. 

She remembered what Vickie said to her every time one of the men left. 

Baby, the women in our family weren’t meant for happiness.  It’s all death and heartache.  You’d best protect yourself when you grow up.

When she was six, Vickie was thrown out of their current apartment and they had to go to the shelter.  That night Vickie had cried all night and the next morning explained to Elly that she couldn’t stay with her anymore.  Vickie had to find a job and she couldn’t take care of Elly and keep her safe. 

That day Elly met her case worker for the first time.  Her name was Debbie Strack.  Elly liked Debbie.  She was kind to her and seemed happy that she’d come to her office.  When a man came into the office to talk to Debbie, Elly quietly got up and went over to the little bumped in corner where Debbie’s coat was hanging and crouched down behind the long coat trying to look invisible – keeping well out of the way. 

Debbie came over and sat down next to her.  You don’t have to hide here, she told Elly softly.

It’s better if they don’t see me, Elly had told her.  If they don’t know I’m here they won’t hurt me or worry about money that I’m eating.  Elly looked up at Debbie puzzled, I never did really eat any money.  I just ate what Vickie gave me.

Oh, Debbie breathed softly and signed.  Well, we don’t eat money either.  In fact, we are having an office lunch and I want you to eat with us.  We are all nice and love little girls and enjoy having them around.

Elly had come out of the corner tentatively and took the hand Debbie offered.  She went out with her to the big room where people were putting out food and talking and laughing.  Debbie took her to a chair and sat her up on a booster seat she pulled from under the table. Elly had always been tiny.

Everyone, I would like you to meet my new friend, Elly. Elly, this guy over here is Mark.  The lady in the pretty red sweater is Margaret.  Jim is still at his computer, but he’ll come over in a minute.  This is Tim, David, Donna, Lois, Kathryn and Millicent.  She continued to point and say the names of all the gathering people.  Each one responded with Very pleased to meet you, Elly, in solemn soft voices.   Then it got louder as everyone got food and sat down around the big table.  Debbie brought Elly a huge plate full of all kinds of different food she’d never seen before.  Then Debbie went back and got another plate for herself and sat down next to Elly and began to eat. 

Elly ate with her hands at first, trying one thing and then another.  She kept her eyes on the people, ready to run if things worried her.  People glanced at her occasionally with a smile sometimes saying.  Did you like the macaroni dish, Elly?  I made that.  My son’s love macaroni.  She watched them eat with the plastic spoons and forks.  She saw she had some, too.  She picked them up and tried to use them.  She managed by using her hands to sometime hold the food down while she stuck a fork in or scooped it. 

Wow, Debbie smiled.  You’re pretty good at that.  I’m glad you like all the different foods.  It’s fun to try different things, isn’t it?  Elly nodded and continued eating.  She ate so much and there was still so much left; she wasn’t sure what to do.  She asked.

Do you want me to keep the food for later in the corner?

No, Debbie smiled.  You don’t need to do that.  There will be lots of food where you’re going to live, really good food. 

Will Vickie come?

No, Vickie had to go get a job and find a home.

Will strangers be there?

Well, the people who live there will be strange at first, but they aren’t strangers.  They are friends like these people and they like little girls, too.

Elly looked into Debbie’s kind eyes and gentle face with worried brows and said nothing. Debbie took Elly to the bathroom and washed her.  She got Elly’s case and took her hand. 

Are you ready, Elly?  Debbie asked.  Elly nodded and put the stuffed bunny Debbie had given her down on a chair. The bunny belongs to you, Elly.  It’s a present.  That means you can keep it as long as you want to keep it. No one can take it.  It is your bunny.

Elly picked up the bunny and held it tight.  It was hers.

That afternoon was the first time she met Mama Jane.  Mama Jane had two other children at the house where Debbie brought Elly.  Elly hid behind Debbie’s legs until Debbie sat down on a Sofa and lifted Elly up beside her.

Elly, this lady is Ms. Jane Hartley. You are going to live with her while Vickie is looking for a job and a new home.

Hi, Elly, Mama Jane said, smiling gently at her.  This little two-year-old boy is Walter Tooley and this, she pulled the other little girl out from behind her chair, is Macie Mayberry.

Macie and Walter smiled shyly at her.  She smiled shyly back not sure what to do.  Then Macie held out her hand. 

Do you want to play dolls with me and Walter?  He’s just little, but he likes to pretend, too, so I let him play.  He needs lots of love, so I hug him, too.  She gave Walter a hug and he hugged her back.

Do you want a hug, Elly? Macie asked walking closer.   Elly nodded slightly and stepped forward.  Macie hugged her firmly and then took her hand and walked her to Walter. You better hug, Walter, too.  He likes it.  Elly put her thin tiny arms around Walter and hugged him.  He responded by wrapping his little arms around her and hugging her tight.  Elly wasn’t that much bigger.

Ewwee hug good, Walter said.  Elly beamed at him and smiled at Macie.  Macie took her hand and led her over to a room with a table and chairs. 

Let’s play here, and she pointed to the plastic dollhouse and dolls on the floor.  She handed Elly a doll with no clothes.  The doll had blond hair and high-heeled shoes.  Macie picked up a doll with similar shoes but dressed in a little dress with a purse and sunglasses. Macie’s doll had long dark hair and brown skin like Walter and Macie. "Here, you can dress yours. We have lot’s of clothes.  I’ll change my dolly’s clothes to bike riding clothes and you can put bike-riding clothes on your dolly and we