Page 88 of Through the Snow Globe
Finally, Diana stepped over and laid a hand on Dustin’s shoulders. “He can’t speak back,” she told him, “but he can hear you. Go ahead and talk to him.” She pulled up a chair and sat as Dustin told Linus all about Christmas at the Grants’ home.
“Your mom is so nice,” Dustin told Linus. “You’re so lucky she was your mom when you were growing up. She made cookies with me and let me eat one as soon as it came out of the oven. And your sister lady was so cool. She had kids my age and we got to play with all our new stuff. Thank you for that, by the way. Ms. Diana let me into your store. I hope that’s okay. I picked out a Lego set and some superhero figures. And a bike. It was so cool! This was the best Christmas ever. I just wish you could have been there too. I’m sorry you’re in a coma.” Dustin looked over at Diana as if he’d said too much.
She smiled reassuringly at him. How had she become responsible for an eight-year-old child? What universe was she living in?
“But Ms. Diana says that one day you’ll wake up. That’ll be cool,” Dustin told Linus. “Maybe next Christmas you’ll be at that house too. I mean, I might not be there. No one keeps me for long because I’m a bad kid.”
“Dustin,” Diana said softly, “no more talk like that, okay? You are not bad.”
He turned back to look at her. “You only just took me in. This is called the honeymoon stage. Next week, you’ll be regretting taking me.”
Diana gave his arm a gentle tap. “You and I might be good for each other, you know? I don’t have anyone right now, and neither do you.”
Dustin seemed to think on that. “You could have fooled me. There were a lot of people at Christmas dinner. You have all of them.”
“Yeah. I guess I do. I kind of think you do too. The Grants are the kind of people who stick.”
This made Dustin smile. “Okay,” he said simply. Diana wasn’t sure if that meant he believed her or he was just humoring her. Then he broke into a yawn.
“You tired?” Diana really didn’t know the first thing about taking care of a kid. It had been a long day for her too, though. “We should probably head out.”
Dustin looked at Linus one more time. “Don’t worry. We’ll be back tomorrow. Maybe you’ll be up then.”
Diana stepped up to Linus’s bed. “You’re probably a little confused, if you’re listening,” she whispered, leaning in for only Linus’s ears—if he could hear her. “He needed me and I needed him. We’ll be here waiting for you when you wake up.” She kissed his forehead and then straightened and turned toward Dustin. “Come on. Let’s go home.”
After Dustin had fallen asleep on Diana’s bed—she was taking the couch—Diana retreated to the living room and sat with her cell phone. She tapped off a quick text to Rochelle.
Diana:Thank you for helping me with Dustin.
Rochelle:Of course. How’d today go?
Diana:Best Christmas ever. Or it would have been if Linus was here. Yours?
Rochelle:Best Christmas ever.
Diana:What do I do with Dustin when I go to work tomorrow? I can’t just leave him in the apartment alone.
Rochelle:What are you talking about?
Diana stared at the question. It felt off and she was suddenly aware that she was missing another piece to the puzzle.
Diana:I can’t take Dustin to work with me.
Rochelle:Why not?
Diana:Because I treat patients. I can’t bring a child to their homes.
Rochelle:Are you okay?
Diana:Yes. Why?
Rochelle: Because you quit your job two weeks ago.
“I did?” Diana said out loud. Why would she do that?
Diana:I know this will sound weird, but where do I work now?
Rochelle: . . .
