Sara and Betty

Sara and Betty

“You shouldn’t be here.”

“Why not?” asked the small girl standing in front of my porch. I’d watched her coming, and kept looking for an adult. She came up my sidewalk when she saw me.

“I’m sorry,” I said, “I meant are you lost?”

“I’m Sara.”

“Are you lost Sara?” I asked.

“I’m not supposed to talk to strangers,” she said firmly, failing to understand she was talking to a stranger.

“I’m Betty,” I said. “Are you lost?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Well,” I said, “ do you know how to get back to your house?”

“I don’t think so,” she said.

“I think that means you’re lost, just a little.” I added, not wanting to scare her. “Do you have another name after Sara?”

“Lorraine.”

“And after that?”

“Kent.”

“Sara Lorraine Kent?”

“Yes!” she smiled.

“Well, I can call and find out where you live, then you won’t have to walk so much. You could sit here and wait.”

“You will? I am getting tired.”

“How about sitting on the step and I’ll get you some juice and a cookie while I make the call.”

“OK!” she said happily.

The police had already heard, and her mother was here before Sara even finished her milk.

“Sara! I was so worried!”

“I just wanted to visit my friend,” Sara said.

“What friend?” her mother asked.

“My new friend, Betty!”

The two women looked at each other, “How far away do you live?” Betty asked.

“Two miles.”

“Next time, I’ll come to your house!” Betty said quickly to Sara.

“Yippee!” Sara said.

“Thank you!” Mom mouthed to Betty as they left.

Betty never did go to Sara’s house though she thought about Sara, and that incident, for a long time. Sara watched for Betty every day for a very long time too.