Runaways (Orphans 5)

Caroline rushed to his side. She turned back as they

headed for the elevator.

"Can you stay with the girls a little longer?" she

asked us.

"Yes, of course," I said.

We watched her disappear with her husband

and the orderly in the elevator and then we sat with

Raven and Butterfly and entertained Denise and little

Sophie.

The rain began again. We didn't notice it until

the wind started blowing it against the windows. The

girls, tired from their emotional ordeal, had fallen

asleep, Sophie, the little one, with her head in Raven's

lap. We were all somewhat exhausted and groggy.

Butterfly dozed on and off and Raven lay back with

her eyes closed, her fingers clamped on her forehead. Only Crystal made productive use of the time

catching up on past issues of Time magazine. None of us took much note of the two

policemen who stood by the nurse's desk talking

softly, but when the elevator doors opened and

Caroline appeared, the nurse nodded at her and the

policemen approached her. They spoke for a moment

and then they walked over to us.

"Thanks for waiting, girls, and taking care of

Denise and Sophie. The nurse upstairs was kind

enough to call the sheriff's department for me because

I can't drive that R.V. and we have to get to a motel.

Officer Donald will take you back to your car. I don't

know how I can thank you. Can you give me your

address," she asked Crystal, "so I can send you

something later?"