***
“How was the meet and greet?”
“Good. Informative.” I passed a basket of rolls across the table to Ashley as I prepared to answer Mike’s twenty questions about my first day on the job.
“Did you get your first assignment?”
“You have homework like me, Mama?”
“Not exactly,” I laughed. “I get paid money to write for the magazine. It’s work, not school.”
“Did you go to school?”
“I did. I went to school for many, many years.”
“Years?” Ashley was awed.
“It’s not as long as it sounds, dear,” Mike was quick to reassure.
“What about you, Miss Ashley? How was your day at school? Did you have lots of fun?”
“Yes, I made a friend today.”
“That’s great. What’s her name?”
“It’s a boy.”
“Oh.” I blinked in surprise. Mike tried to hide a grin. “That’s great, honey. There is no reason why boys and girls can’t be friends. So, what’s his name?”
“Earl.”
“Is Earl in your class?” I didn’t remember any little boys named Earl being in Ashley’s class at school and thought he might have been new.
“Earl isn’t in my class. He was on the playground. He’s a big boy. He’s nice. He said he knows you.”
My silverware hit the plate with a clatter and I glanced first to Mike, and next to my daughter. “Is Earl a big boy like your cousin Tomas, or like your uncle Mike?”
“Big like Uncle Mike. Is Earl really your friend?”
“What side of the fence was he on, Ashley?” Mike cut in. “In the playground area with you, or outside by the street?”
“Outside by the street.”
“What did your teacher say?”
“She didn’t see him.” Ashley continued to eat her dinner, unconcerned.
“Ashley,” I said slowly. “Remember what we talked about? I don’t want you talking to strangers.”
“It’s not safe, I know. But he’s your friend, so it’s okay, right?”
“No. I don’t know anyone named Earl,” I told her as gently as I could manage.
“He lied?” She looked upset at the thought.
“Maybe not. Maybe he only thought he knew me.”
“But he knew my name and everything!”
“A lot of people are named Ashley, sweetheart. But you see? Even if people say they know me, or know your name, they could be mistaken. And that’s not safe. You know what I want you to do next time?”
“Get a grown-up?”
“That’s right. You’re a smart girl, you know that?”
“Yep, can I go play now?”
“Yes.” I watched her run into the living room and turn on the television. SpongeBob was on and Ashley grabbed a puzzle and settled in front of the TV.
“What are the odds, Claire?”
“Not very. I’m calling her teacher to make sure she didn’t see anything. Keep an eye on Ashley, will you?”