After the shows were over, it was Sandy's turn to watch Petra while Celeste went for some food and conversation. It was only fair that the older girl had her chance to enjoy the party.
Petra sat at a small table with two others. The little toddlers were eating cake. And doing nothing else.
Sandy stood a step away, watching. Boring. Nature shows were more exciting. At least with nature shows, she would not be stuck watching the same creatures eating the same food.
A brown-haired teenage girl slipped next to her. "Hi, you're Sandy, right?"
Sandy returned the smile. "Yes, how did you know?"
The girl cocked her head. "You announced it on stage."
"Oh, yeah."
"I'm Grace, by the way," the girl introduced herself.
"Nice to meet you."
"So, you're here to watch Petra, I assume?"
"Yeah, how did you know?"
"I was talking with the other girl earlier, Celeste, if I remember correctly. She a friend of yours?"
"My roommate actually."
"I'm watching over the other two kids." Grace gestured towards the two toddlers with Petra.
"I see." Watching over Petra was not so boring then since she had someone to talk to. Thinking back, she remembered seeing Grace with Celeste earlier, when the latter was on duty watching Petra.
Sandy talked with Grace about their backgrounds. She complained about school and household chores. She talked about her hopes and dreams of riches. She paused once during the conversation to wipe Petra's cheek when the little toddler had cream on her face. She was very careful not to get any on her yellow dress.
When she turned back, José was there with Ian. José praised her for her help with the magician. "You were wonderful out there on the stage," he had said.
(Yes, it was shallow praise. Boys were generous with those.)
José easily stole Sandy's attention away from Grace with his sweet words. Soon, Sandy was chatting happily with the boys again, oblivious to the time.
Her conversation was interrupted when Celeste appeared next to her. "Sandy, where's Petra?"
"Oh, she's just right..." Sandy's finger pointed at an empty chair. Petra was gone. So were the other two toddlers.
Celeste looked at her incredulously. "Don't tell me you lost her?"
Sandy winced. "I think I did."
"You'd better start looking. I'll tell Momma Lois." Celeste spun around and left.
Sandy looked to the boys. "Can you help me look for Petra?"
The boys suddenly found something else to do. (Such was the reliability of boys.)
Which left Sandy rushing around the hall, looking for a blond toddler. She checked each corner, each group of people. Petra was nowhere to be found and Sandy definitely did not want to face Momma Lois without her.
She tried outside the hall. She looked around the corridors of the orphanage where the party was being held and even in some of the rooms. No Petra.
Okay, it was a desperate situation. And desperate times called for desperate measures. Panic mode on!
Sandy bawled her eyes out.
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