Wood Chips and Gravel

Mindy didn't like this playground. Everything was white and slick. There was a boy underneath the boxy climbing fort; Mindy see his sneakers.

"How'd you get under there?" Mindy asked.

"Come and see." The boy's voice was deep, like Daddy's. "Come in here with me."

Thinking about Daddy reminded Mindy what was wrong. She couldn't see Mommy; she was lost.

"I gotta go," she said. She ran off into the trees. Several moments later she stopped, confused. She was back at the playground.

Under the fort, the sneakers moved. "I can wait," said the boy. "I'm getting good at it."