“Thanks again for inviting us!” Olivia said. “I can’t begin to tell you how much it means to me to see Kaylee getting invited to these types of things. I was so excited when I heard she had made a friend at school.”

Heather felt a pang of guilt. Her reaction had not been so pure.

Heather, Rose, Olivia, and Pedro sat on the bench reserved for their party.

“Hi, I’m Olivia, I’m Kaylee and Leslie’s mom.” She shook hands with Rose and Pedro.

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Rose and this is my adult child husband Pedro who is currently drooling over the arcade.” Pedro snapped back into the conversation.

“I like shiny things.” Pedro admitted with a shrug. The others laughed.

“Fine, go.” Rose said with a roll of her eyes and a playful shove. He quickly bolted leaving the three women to talk. She turned her attention back to Olivia. “I am really happy as well Ella has made a friend.”

“Are you her grandparents?” Olivia asked and Rose laughed.

“No, my husband and I just retired from the hospital Ella had been staying in. I was her nurse for a couple years, and Pedro was an Environmental Specialist. We’re thinking of moving in the area.”

This was news to Heather. She bit her lip. Ella would be ecstatic. She had never seen her so happy or talkative as she had been when she saw Rose. Heather felt a pang in her chest as she thought about what Rose had said last night. They had been planning on taking her in. Rose had the training to care for Ella in ways Heather could not. Would she have been better off with Rose and Pedro? Rose and Ella seemed to have a bond which Heather feared she would never have. She loved Ella, but it seemed she was making the wrong move at every turn.

Rose had warned her of the difficulties of taking in a special needs child, but she had brushed her concerns off. She kept comparing her to a typical 11-year-old and Ella was the one paying for it. Now after hearing what had happened to Ella in her past, she knew she could never give her the kind of care Ella truly needed. She knew inside that if she truly loved Ella, she would have to let her go.

So last night, after they had learned the truth, they had sat down and talked it over. After the party and the excitement had died down they would ask her and let Ella choose. She could stay here and continue to be a part of their family, or she could go with Rose. She had been let down by so many people in her life, she didn’t want Ella to feel she had abandoned her too.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

When the group had made it back to the table for lunch, followed by cake and ice cream, Ella was exhausted. She had never in her life had so much fun. They had played tag in the tunnels, chased each other with laser guns, jousted, jumped on the trampolines, swung on a rope and landed in a pile of foam blocks.

Her only disappointment had been when they told her she was too short to drive a go cart. Kaylee had stayed behind with Ella while their sisters went on ahead and joked about what catastrophic thing might happen if Kaylee had gotten behind the wheel. Kaylee and Ella both mimicked large explosions with their hands and tallied a possible body count. They had both laughed hysterically when Danielle crashed through the plastic barricade and the whole race had to be stopped so they could fix the track.

After that they had gone on the bumper boats. Ella was thrilled when she got to drive one. It had taken a few moments to figure out how to steer it, and Kaylee laughed as they spun in circles in the water. They were both soaked by the time they got off after having fallen victim to Leslie and Danielle tag teaming them from both sides.

Now she laid out on the bench holding her stomach. She had eaten too much pizza and ice cream. Reality had come and given her a wake up call. Her tummy wasn’t used to so much junk food and now she desperately had to go. She was mad at herself. The fear was still there, she was still stuck in the same place. Learning the truth had done nothing. Tears slid from her eyes in frustration. She couldn’t think of a single way this could end well for her. She wasn’t ready to leave! She wouldn’t even make it home. She doubted she could even make it to the car. It had come on fast and strong like it had the day they had brought her home. She didn’t want her perfect day cut short and end with her getting spanked by a plastic spoon.

“What’s the matter, Ella?” Heather asked, bending over her. Rose was standing next to her too. Ella cringed and answered truthfully. She begged Heather not to punish her or take her home yet. Heather didn’t look pleased, but she didn’t seem angry.

“What’s wrong, Ella?” Rose asked.

“She has to go number two.” Heather said. “Usually that means I have to take her home since she won’t use the restroom.”

“Why?” Rose asked curiously. “Did you not bring any spares?” She bent down the waist of Ella’s shorts to see what she was wearing.

“There in the bag but…” Heather said. “We have a rule about no poopy diapers, if she wants to stay and play she has to be a big girl and use the restroom.” Without a word Rose picked up the bag before flinging it over her shoulder.

“C’mon, Ella, let’s go to the truck.” She pulled her up by the hand.

“I can’t make it home.” Ella whimpered.

“I’m not taking you home.” She lifted Ella up in her arms and whispered. “We can handle a little messy diaper, can’t we.” Rose said. Ella blushed and let herself be carried to the parking lot. She set Ella back down and Rose unlocked the bed of the truck. “Come lay down on the blanket when you’re done.”

Ella didn’t need to be told twice. She felt a rush of both relief and revulsion. When she felt her stomach had finally calmed down, she gingerly climbed in and laid down horizontally on the blanket near the edge. She felt grateful for the camper shell giving her a bit of privacy as Rose began gently stripping her down. It wasn’t very comfortable, but she didn’t care.

“Did she really still think this is a choice you make, despite everything you’ve been through?” Rose asked, more to herself than to Ella. “On your birthday even, just because she doesn’t want to clean you up.” Ella could tell Rose was mad, but her hands were as gentle as ever, and she never made disgusted noises like Heather did. “Your clothes are all wet, what have you been doing?” Rose asked, turning her attention to Ella.

Ella told her about the bumper boats and Rose laughed. “I’m glad you’re having so much fun.” Once she was clean, Rose taped a new diaper on and helped her into a dry change of pants. Ella sat on the bed of the truck and let her legs dangle and Rose joined her. “Do you feel better now?”

Ella nodded, but worried it would happen again. Rose seemed to read her mind. “Come get me if you need another change.” I remember a certain little girl’s stomach being relentless at times. Come here,” She lifted Ella into her arms and cradled her there. “I’ve missed you so much.” Rose whispered before she began to hum softly.

“I missed you too.” Ella closed her eyes and rested her head against Rose’s chest. She had missed this most of all. Rose had a way of making all of Ella’s anxiety melt away. “I don’t want you to go.”

“Come back with me.” Rose said. Ella shook her head. She didn’t want to go back to the hospital! Rose sighed.

“I meant back inside.” Rose lied. “Your friends must be missing you.”