Page 84 of This Memory
“Ashes?”
“Yeah, she looks like if you put her in an ash pile, she’d blend in.”
Brystol laughed. “Well, when kids ask what her name is, do you really think Ashes will go over well?”
I thought about it for a few moments. “You’re right, that could take an awkward turn. You need like a princess name.”
She nodded.
“You could name her Pearl, that’s my name!” a little girl said, as she tried to reach up and pet the kitten.
“Pearl, you say?” Brystol asked, while tapping a finger to her chin. “You know, I like that name—and look, I think she likes it too.”
The kitten was batting at the little girl’s finger. “They’re both so cute! And the white one can be Snowball.”
Brystol and I exchanged a smile.
“They are super cute,” I said, scratching under the kitten’s chin. “And I think Pearl and Snowball are the perfect names. Are you here picking out toys for your list to Santa?”
Pearl, the human child, nodded. “Yes! My mommy said when she was little she’d come here and pick out toys to put on her list to Santa, so she says we need to start a tradition.”
Brystol smiled and glanced around. “Where’s your mommy?”
Still petting both kittens, Pearl pointed across the store to a woman standing there with a smile on her face. “Come meet my mommy!” the little girl said, taking my hand. I guessed she was so trusting of me because I was wearing my police uniform. We started for the other side of the store where the woman stood.
“Mommy, I found a police officer!”
The woman laughed. “Pearl Henry, why are you dragging a police officer across the store?”
Pearl let go of my hand. “He has kittens!”
The woman shook her head but smiled at her daughter before looking up at me. “She loves kittens. Thank you for letting her pet them.”
I smiled. “Of course. Did you need help with anything? My girlfriend owns the toy store.”
The woman smiled. “Thank you, but my husband is checking out now. My job was to…” Her voice trailed off as she looked down at Pearl.
“Got it.” I grinned at Pearl. “Why don’t I show you and your mom and your baby…?”
“Sister,” the woman supplied.
“Your baby sister something over here, Pearl.”
Pearl grabbed my hand again. “Okay!”
I got Brystol’s attention, and when she smiled at me, I felt my heart jump in my chest. I walked the family to a large display Brystol had set up as a fairy land. Pearl gasped.
“Wow, this is awesome!” she said, as she took in the whole table.
“Thank you,” the mom said softly, as I tipped my head and wandered back toward Brystol. She was behind the counter, helping to check out people. I walked behind the counter and kissed her on the cheek.
“I’ve got to get back to work. Dinner tonight before the Christmas tree lighting?”
She smiled. “That sounds amazing. And thank you for helping out that mom. I’m sure you’re her savior right now.”
I laughed. “I don’t know about that. Don’t work too hard; take some breaks and drink lots of water.”
Brystol faced me and grinned. “You’re bossy, do you know that?”
