It’s probably best if she waits for things to die down for a bit. Laura hops off the bench and heads for the park playground. There are a few other children playing. Laura joins in their games, slipping into the role of being a preschooler.
One of her new friends hears Laura’s stomach rumble while they’re playing in the sandbox, so she takes Laura’s hand and guides her over to a woman, presumably the preschooler’s mother.
“Mommy, Laura’s hungry,” Laura’s friend announces. “Do you have snacks?”
“Thank you for asking first, Mary,” the woman says with a smile. Mary’s mother digs around in a diaper bag and takes out a package of crackers and juice box, then hands the snacks to Laura. She then gives Mary some snacks as well. “Why don’t both you girls sit here while you have your snacks?” Laura and Mary sit on the picnic blanket as instructed and begin to eat.
“I like your dress,” Mary says to Laura. Laura smiles.
“Thanks.”
“Laura, where are your parents?” Mary’s mother asks. Laura’s heart stops. She swallows her mouthful of crackers.
“Across the street. They’ll be back soon,” she fibs quickly. Mary’s mother nods.
“That’s good to hear. Well, until they get back, I’d prefer if you stayed within sight of me, okay? I don’t want you to wander off.”
“Okay,” Laura mumbles reluctantly. She’ll have to figure out how to sneak away without being caught. The two girls finish their snacks. Mary jumps to her feet, grabs Laura’s hand, and pulls her up.
“Let’s play again!” Mary chirps. Laura follows her friend back to the playground, and they resume their games. She looks back every now and then. Mary's mother watches them constantly. Laura will need a distraction in order to sneak away. Hopefully, one will present itself before Mary's mother gets suspicious.