In this excerpt, Brinn's relationship with foster-child Dresden and his own foster-sister, Hahlibeth, unfolds after a simple misunderstanding. Brinn confronts hidden anxieties through gentle actions rather than grand gestures, reflecting the subtle intimacy and trust emerging among the characters.
Dresden is Missing
"Follow me." Brinn tucked the coin he'd been using for practice into a pocket.
Hahlibeth tagged along behind him through the house to the kitchen and then out a side door leading to the backyard.
Brinn turned to her. "Remember the old playhouse? I showed it to Dresden this morning."
With Hahlibeth at his side, Brinn rounded the corner.
Dresden had morphed the playhouse into a giant mowt cage with tightly spaced bars around the bottom.
Inside on the grass, Dresden slept, curled into a ball. Beside her, the smaller mowt cage sat open while the mowt explored the blades of grass.
Hahlibeth sighed. "Oh, thank goodness."
Yawning, Dresden rubbed her eyes. When she noticed them, she sat up. "I couldn't let Bonkers out of his cage, so I made a bigger one." She pointed to the base of the walls. "I even made the base part tiny so he couldn't sneak out."
"You did a good job." Brinn knelt near the door. "But Ms. Hahlibeth didn't know where you were, and we were worried."
Dresden scooped up the mowt and put him back in the small cage. "I'll pack my things." She started past Brinn.
"No." He held up a hand, stopping her. "There's no need for that. We were worried, yes, but you were in a safe space and in an area where we said you could play. You made sure the mowt was safe too. You didn't do anything wrong."
Her chin quivered. "I didn't?"
"No. You did an excellent job, didn't she Hahlibeth?"
Hahlibeth squatted beside him. "Yes. I was only worried because I didn't know where you were. You're welcome to come out here anytime. Just let us know. All right?"
Rubbing one eye, Dresden sniffed. "I'm not going back?"
"You're staying right here." Brinn stood set a hand on Dresden's shoulder. "Tomorrow, we'll go together. It's the first day of school, and your friends will be there."
Dresden looked up at him as if seeing him for the first time.
"Ready to go inside?"
The girl shifted the cage to her other side, reached up, and took Brinn's hand.
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Hi,
Excellent scene. It has a good rhythm and flows well.
Shalom shalom
Thank you, Pat!
I really like your insight into young kids. I remember how vividly you brought five year old Senth to life.
Dresden is both engaging and believable.
(As I recall you do have kids of your own. Lucky them.)
What a great compliment. Thank you, Lisabet!
Aww this part got to me: ” Dresden scooped up the mowt and put him back in the small cage. “I’ll pack my things.” She started past Brinn.” Why does she think she has to leave for going missing? Is there some kind of rule that could get her booted out? Aww, I feel for her.
Dresden had been fostered with 3 families before Brinn, and they all turned her back in. She was about to be sent off to a government system but Brinn insisted she should get one more chance. He fought for her, but she figured if she messed up, it was over. Poor little thing *hug*
This seems like a turning point in their relationship. I think Dresden will really start to trust Brinn now.
Yeah, she’s far beyond brilliant, which gets her into trouble. She’s learned that people don’t like her being smarter than they are, so having Brinn accept her and be encouraging is just what she needed.
Gut punch when she says she’ll pack her bags.
Thank you! That’s what I was going for. 🙂