, Lord sure knows how to make an entrance, without a care in the world about getting caught up in the wrong crowd., As Lord was visiting, I couldn't possibly meet Herschel there, and I wasn't exactly eager to go back to Susie's room either. So, I found myself wandering into the hospital's small garden.,

"Miss, could you play ball with me?

" Just as I sat down on a bench, a little girl, maybe three or four, came running up to me, her eyes brimming with hope., Honestly, I wasn't in the mood, but looking into those eyes, how could I say no?

"Sure.

", I figured I'd just play along for a bit and be done, but as we played, memories of my childhood came flooding back, of times my parents played ball with me.,

"Miss, you're kinda silly.

",

"Miss, you got hit again.

",

"Miss...

", Here I was, trying to entertain, and still getting teased. But, truth be told, I was genuinely having fun.,

"Nancy!

", At that shout, the little girl stopped in her tracks., I looked up to see a stunning woman approaching, dressed in a stylish jumpsuit, hair slightly tousled from running.,

"Mummy, I'm playing with Miss,

" Nancy said, trying to fix her messy hair.,

"Nancy, daddy's done with his work; we've got to go,

" her mother called out to her., Nancy pouted,

"No, I wanna play a bit more, just a bit.

",

"We can't, daddy won't wait for us,

" her mother retorted, walking over in her towering heels, somehow managing not to sink into the soft grass beneath her., Without even glancing at me, the woman reached for her daughter,

"Come on, you're getting more stubborn by the day.

",

"I don't wanna. Just a bit longer,

" Nancy protested, holding up a finger.,

"Fine, play. I'll leave,

" her mother threatened, clearly frustrated., This put, tried to an awkward spot, so, tried to ease the tension,, why, tion't you head home, a, time I'll play with you again, ,

"You won't be here next time,

" Nancy smartly deduced, understanding the fleeting nature of our encounter., I patted her head,

"If fate allows, we'll meet again.

",

"Let's go, let's go,

" her mother urged, losing patience and pulling Nancy away, muttering,

"Haven't I told you not to play with strangers? What if a kidnapper took you away?

" , I was speechless.,

"Miss isn't a kidnapper; she's my friend. She played with me when you wouldn't, hmph,

" Nancy retorted, showing quite the spirit., Her mother grew even more irritated,

"You dare talk back...

", As the woman raised her hand, I instinctively moved to protect Nancy., Then, a deep voice intervened,

"Shirley, living too comfortably, are we? To think you'd raise a hand to my daughter.

", I froze, then turned to see Lord approaching., I glanced at Nancy in my arms, then at Lord, and then at Shirley, whose worldview seemed as shattered as mine.,

"Daddy,

" Nancy wriggled free from my hold and ran towards Lord., He scooped her up, giving her a reassuring kiss,

"It's okay, daddy's here.

", Despite her makeup, Shirley's panic was evident as she quickly approached.

"Mr. Clark, I was just teaching her not to talk to strangers. You know, with all the kidnappings... What if someone took her away?

" , After casting a glance my way, I could only offer a helpless smile before turning to leave., But Lord had one more thing to say,

"She's not a kidnapper.

", He then turned to me, asking,

"Right, young lady?

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