Ash ran as fast as her little legs could carry her. The sand underfoot was making it hard though but she made. She ran into her mother’s arms, was scooped up and twirled around. She giggled uncontrollably. Her mother set her backdown fixing her jacket so that her belly would not get cold.

‘Mommy! Mommy! Did you see?’

‘Yes, I saw sweetie. You made it all the way to the other side of the money bars, my little Monkey!!

Her mother made monkey noise and pretended to eat a banana and scratched her head. Ash laughed and copied. The other children and parents at the playground were starting to look their way.

“Let’s go before they decide to put us in the zoo!!” her mother said. She gathered up their bags and walked out of the gates of the park. They walked hand and hand the rest of the way home.

*****************************************

Ash sat at the kitchen table drawing with the new art set her dad bought her. She scribbled with the yellow, trying to get the sun’s rays just right. Her mom was at the sink washing lunch dishes. Bubbles every so often wafting over to Ash.

“Mom, can we go to the park later?’ Ash asked and switched to coloring the grass.

“Hmm. Maybe. You dad will be home early and be able to take you.”

“Why can’t we go together.” Ash whined, slamming her crayon onto the table.

“Honey, with that attitude you won’t go at all. I have a headache. Your dad will take you if he can. It looks like rain anyway.’ Her mom looked out the window above the sink. Gray clouds gathered and hung low in the sky.

“Fine.” Ash whined and left the table to play into the living room with her dolls instead.

A few minutes later Ash heard a crash from the kitchen. It sounded like glass and was followed by a loud thud. She jerked up calling for her mom. When she turned the corner to the kitchen her mom lay on the floor. Glass surrounded her, blood ran down from her forehead. Ash stood frozen in the door frame. She opened her mouth and screamed.