BOO HOO

BEVERLY'S CASE

 

Beverly calls me over to where she is amusing herself in the park. 'Look  Mommy, look, look at all the buttercups. May I pick them?' 'Of course, Sweetheart. Take  a few but leave some for other little girls to find.'  The morning is still. No one has taken my space on one of the two benches that are most often preferred by tired strollers. Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea is an oldie. This is my third reading. I see the big fish more and more clearly every time.

 

I am engrossed yet very aware of Beverly and that she doesn't wander off. Getting as far as page five, I stop when Beverly's soft white hand touches my skirt, wanting my attention. 'Mommy, come sit on the other bench with me. It is sunny there and I can put a buttercup under my chin and find out if I like butter.' I tell her I already know she loves it but move, just to make her happy.

 

A nanny with a tan beret walks by pushing an adorable girl wearing big sun glasses with Minnie Mouse frames. On a link leash she guides a frisky Pekinese. Beverly falls in next to them and asks the little girl if she can pet the doggie. I imagine the child is about two and a half so she gives no answer. The nanny answers for her. 'Chow Chow sometimes snaps at strangers,' and she continues to walk. 'Bev, come sit with me. Do my chin for butter.' She hops over, waves bye bye to the lady and child. I give her one Oreo for her to eat slowly. And poof, she slips  behind my bench. I smile as I watch her look for four leaf clovers.

 

The Old Man is worn out. His beautiful big fish is being torn to pieces. It seems but a moment that my eyes close before a fat man wakes me. 'Madam, your book fell under your seat. If you stand, I will be glad to retrieve it for you.' I thank him and start down the path the nanny took. Beverly is holding onto the carriage bar. Bikes fly past me. Dog leashes almost trip me. There is a small parade of children who excelled in school this year. They block my way. The nanny and the stroller are still in sight but Beverly is missing. I describe her to everyone but noone recognizes her. I catch up to the nanny who tells me Beverly had to make pee pee and went behind a tree. She didn't know where she went when she was thru.

 

I am nearing the exit gate. Immediately I report Beverly's disappearance to the guard. He tells me not to worry. In the meantime he calls the police department, and I worry. My breathing stops. My hands shake and the Old Man is in a puddle. The guard picks it up, uses a paper towel to wipe it off for me. Two police cars arrive quickly. One has a bike hitched to its trunk. I tell the officers the little I know, how long Beverly has been gone, a clear description of her and her clothes. I forget to tell them Beverly has bangs on her forehead.

 

Officer Lamont parks the two cars in a reserved spot for employees. The two in patrol car 1 start walking. The younger man, Blake, rides the bike. Each man goes a different direction. Lamont tells me not to worry but I don't pay attention. My stomach gets upset. I sweat, I cry, I search, I call Bev in vain. It is already noon. Beverly must be hungry.

 

I tell the guard which way I will go next, get not much further than a quarter of a mile and there she is, holding Officer Lamont's hand. Behind them Blake and the other guy have a very tall, emaciated man in handcuffs. Lamont explains that the man is a known pedophile. 'You and your daughter were very lucky. You should keep a closer eye on her or you might not be next time.' My angel runs to me. Her eyes are red and swollen.

 

'Mommy, Mommy, I took a long walk and saw your shadow behind me the whole time. Where were you? Why did you lose me?  I'm going to tell Daddy on you.'