The Luna: Braver Than We Are

Chapter 12

I'm back, I'm sorry it took me so long, I'm having some health issues that make it very hard to be a mother, a writer, and an employee at the same time. As writing is just my hobby, this is the first thing I give up when things get messy. I just hope that my stories are good enough to keep you waiting.

I'm so amazed that the book gained more than 100 follows while not being updated and I'm grateful for each follow and each comment, they make me believe that my writing makes sense.

These last few days were very busy. She worked hard with Eve and had to go to the city to see the doctor, the one that came to the facility was a general practitioner. She even went to the police station to report so that no official search would be launched and Mason wouldn’t be informed about her whereabouts. She was so clueless, she didn’t know that she could do it.

Then she spent some time observing the kids in the facility. They naturally mingled in age groups. Many of them had a sad history of violence and abuse behind them, so it was only natural they were reserved and wouldn't act as lighthearted and joyful as kids without such burdens. Somehow Viola could relate to their behavior. She prepared carefully, speaking with the therapists to determine the most urgent needs. She chose 4-6 years old as they seemed to lack attention. The older ones were in school and got some additional support there. She wasn’t sure if she could find proper activities for the the younger ones. For the younger kids, the relationship with their mothers was the most important.

When she was finally ready, Anita made a note on the announcement board inviting the kids to the garden after lunch.

It was so much fun to play with the kids. At first, Viola could feel some tension in them, but it dissolved as she showed them the toys and games she had prepared. The group of 4-6 years old was happily chasing through the obstacle course she built in the garden and then played the memory. It was so heartwarming to see them open to her and to eachother, gain their trust.

Viola couldn't exclude the children behaved this way due to the fact that finally someone devoted time and attention to them. The staff was way too busy to play with them and the therapists were focused on dealing with children’s traumas. All of them had traumas, sometimes deeply hidden sometimes displaced due to their defense mechanisms.

Some of the mothers were simply too damaged and disturbed to provide something more than basic care. And there was nothing to blame. They showed true bravery in escaping from their ordeal and searching for help. They were heroes in their own way and there was no fault in them for being not perfect.

There was no space for lighthearted play. And that was what she wanted to give to them, as every child needs it. It might seem not too much, but it was as much as she could do. She hoped the change wouldn't be just occasional, that her work would help the therapists.

“You are very nice and pretty,” a little girl named Diana snapped out and ran away embarrassed. Viola smiled. When was the last time anyone called her pretty? In some other life?

“They liked you instantly,” Anita said entering the room. “That’s good, we are so understaffed and they need someone to take care of them. The kindergarten isn’t always the safe option.” I gaped at her. “We are discrete, but the abusers sometimes find a way to get the address. We had a situation, one of them almost kidnapped a child.”

“I liked them too. I just hope they will be as joyful tomorrow. I think I could use the klanza sheet in the future.”

“You’ll need to speak to Jonathan, or maybe even better to our sponsor directly.”

“Sponsor?”

“Yeah, the guy that bought most of this stuff. I’m afraid we neglected some aspects of childhood, so we had to get some things when you told us you wanted to help.”

“Oh, I understand,” Viola already knew that Jonathan wasn’t the man she spoke to on the phone. He was a nice and warm guy, but he didn’t have this special aura, that made Viola calm back then. She was a little bit disappointed, but she thought that maybe she wasn’t meant to meet the guy and didn’t ask Jonathan about him. No, she didn’t think about him in a romantic way, she still had to end her marriage with Mason. Even thinking about it terrified her. She still remembered him hitting her, all the pain and fear it caused. Surprisingly, she didn’t have any bruises on her body and medical examination didn’t indicate any internal problems. Besides, she was pregnant, her baby was the only human being she was ready to love. She only wanted to speak with that man to thank him. Maybe they’ll have a chance to meet some other time.

“Hey, don’t worry, here comes Jonathan,” Anita said and waved at him. “Come here, Viola needs help.”

“Oh, how can I help?” he asked smiling at Viola. He was a slender and rather short blonder haired guy who looked like he was in his twenties but Viola already knew he was near his forties. Today, when she had an appointment with a doctor she almost panicked seeing a man in the waiting room but with Jonathan, it was all different. She could feel he wouldn’t harm anybody, there was just no aggression in him and his air was so gentle that almost feminine and she wanted to support him. Strange, Viola never gave much thought to such things and now she was constantly analyzing thinking about the impressions other people gave her. Eve was strong, Anita carrying but none of them had such effect on her. Maybe her last encounter with Mason affected her more than just physically.

“I would like to buy some new stuff. I know you just got new toys but there are some accessories that would help. The kids would benefit.”

“Ah, right. You should speak with Adam.”

“Adam?” Viola gulped.

“Yes, I made him buy the stuff but a girl like you will make him buy much more than me.” Jonathan blinked. “When he sees how you care for the kids.” He added. “By the way, he will be here tomorrow, you’ll get to speak after the training.”

“The training?”

“I did assume you wouldn’t be interested, Adam will help us with learning the women's self-defense. I chose a few girls that aren’t uncomfortable around men as he couldn’t find a female trainer on such short notice.”

“Oh, right, nothing for me,” Viola smiled and touched her belly. “But if you say so, I will speak with this Adam.”

“Now get some rest, you look pale.”