The Problem
"My name is Kale," you inform her, holding out your hand politely.
"Nice to meet you, Kale," the woman says, giving your hand one quick, firm shake. "You may call me Mrs. Aster."
"Do you have any other daughters, besides Elizabeth?" you ask.
"Yes," Mrs. Aster answers, suddenly looking a bit sad.
"Who?" you inquire.
"Oh, she's right over there," Mrs. Aster responds, nodding towards the girl you noticed earlier sitting on the floor with her knees hugged against her chest. "Her name is Alice. But I'm not sure you'll like her much."
"Why not?" you wonder.
Mrs. Aster has a pained expression. "Oh, my. Look at little Elizabeth--she's chewing her hair again. It was nice to meet you," she adds as she hurries over to Elizabeth.
You stare after her, perplexed, and then slowly approach the girl on the floor. As you do, the girl looks up and you see a sheen of tears covering her eyes. Suddenly uncertain, you begin to back away, but the girl says suddenly, "No, stay, please." She quickly swipes away at her tears, and motions for you to sit down next to her. You oblige, and wonder what she's crying about.
"Nice to meet you, Kale," the woman says, giving your hand one quick, firm shake. "You may call me Mrs. Aster."
"Do you have any other daughters, besides Elizabeth?" you ask.
"Yes," Mrs. Aster answers, suddenly looking a bit sad.
"Who?" you inquire.
"Oh, she's right over there," Mrs. Aster responds, nodding towards the girl you noticed earlier sitting on the floor with her knees hugged against her chest. "Her name is Alice. But I'm not sure you'll like her much."
"Why not?" you wonder.
Mrs. Aster has a pained expression. "Oh, my. Look at little Elizabeth--she's chewing her hair again. It was nice to meet you," she adds as she hurries over to Elizabeth.
You stare after her, perplexed, and then slowly approach the girl on the floor. As you do, the girl looks up and you see a sheen of tears covering her eyes. Suddenly uncertain, you begin to back away, but the girl says suddenly, "No, stay, please." She quickly swipes away at her tears, and motions for you to sit down next to her. You oblige, and wonder what she's crying about.