Julia pointed. 'Look who's coming!'
Horace had seen her. He put on speed and wove through the running men and, once he was past them, dropped low to the ground and hit fourth gear. A large grin wreathed his chops. His ears were laid back flat to his skull. His shadow raced along beside him on the soot-stained grass. Julia knelt and held out her arms.
'Come to mama, sweetheart!' she shouted.
He leaped. She caught him and sprawled backward, laughing. Barbie helped her to her feet.
They walked back into the world together, wearing the gift that had been given them: just life.
Pity was not love, Barbie reflected... but if you were a child, giving clothes to someone who was naked had to be a step in the right direction.
November 22, 2007 - March 14, 2009