Chapter 44. Pictures

"Hi Chloe." She says it in a soft voice, which makes me smile.

"Hello, wow, you’ve changed a lot! I mumble something, and as she and her mom come into the office, she smiles.

Can I hug you?" When she asks, I tell her yes.

"After swimming, I might be a little damp." I try to warn her, but she just smiles and shrugs. She gives me a tight hug, and I can’t believe she’s right here in front of me.

"Many thanks." When she whispers, I nod. "I appreciate you helping me."

"I do that, yes." I tell her I’m sure, and she laughs quietly behind my back.

Her mom gives us a small wave and walks away for a moment, giving us a moment of peace.

"How are you doing now?" I ask as I tell her to come in and sit down.

"I’m better." She tells me this while wiping away a tear. "The hospital just let me go home yesterday. They did more tests and found that my allergy had gotten