Linda toddled around the play area, desperately looking for Laura. Finally, she spotted Laura, sitting in a corner playing with blocks. She hurried over.
“Hi,” Linda said, sitting next to Laura. Laura eyed her suspiciously.
“Hi,” Laura said. She took the pacifier that was clipped to her shirt and popped it into her mouth. Clearly, she didn’t want to talk. Linda would have to make Laura warm up to her.
“Wanna pway bwocks?” Linda asked. Laura shrugged, suckling on her pacifier. Despite her obvious ambivalence, Laura played with Linda. Linda found herself enjoying playing with the blocks more than she expected. Judging by Laura’s expression, Laura was having fun, too.
“I wike you,” Laura said once they had a pause in their playtime. Linda beamed.
“Good. ‘Cause you dice made me wittew,” Linda said quietly. Laura’s eyes widened. She spat out her pacifier.
“Thowwy.”
“It okay. But you know how to go back big?” Linda asked.
“Yeth. We need ethcape though.”
“I know how!” Linda said eagerly. “I work hewe!” Laura’s eyes lit up. Linda got to her feet, pulling Laura up with her. “Come on! We go!”