I got to work bright and early, checked my schedule, did my warm ups, got my friend for the day all primped and ready to go. The van pulled up to take me to my set. I went inside my room to ready myself and my friend for the day. Nothing out of the usual.
But then...
I got to my set. I was ready to go, along with my friend. The gate was opened, and I saw a swarm of faces. But none of them stuck out to me like little Ellie.
Ellie in the orange shirt.
Why did she stick out to me? She screamed my name (well, my friend's name actually). Suddenly this little 3 year old with wild blonde hair gathered in a whispy pony tail, bolted towards me. She couldn't be stopped. I dropped to one knee and stretched my arms wide to let her know I was welcoming her. She did something I didn't really expect... she collapsed into my arms. I wrapped my arms tightly around her, tears streaming down my unseen face. I'm actually crying as I write this...
Little Ellie would not let me go. And I didn't mind one bit. I barely notice her family surrounding us as they snapped pictures and filmed our intimate moment. Eventually she leaned back and beamed at me. Oh! That face! I stood up, taking her chubby little hand in mine. And we skipped back to my photo set hand in hand. It was the most precious moment of my life.
Once we got the photo set, I dropped down again, and she flung herself at my chest. She pulled back a little to plant sweet kisses on my nose before returning to the shelter of my arms. I was content to hold her for as long as she wanted. The other guests could wait!! (Unfortunately not really, but I sure was thinking it!) Mom and Dad eventually wanted to get in on the moment. And according to my guidelines, I had to stand up for any pictures to avoid awkward poses. So I stood. Ellie turned her body towards me, wrapped her arms around my legs. She kissed the front of my pants, desperately trying to stay in contact with me. I posed once, twice, then three times with Mom and Dad, only thinking of dropping down to hug Ellie again.
I heard Mom announce, "Okay, Ellie, tell ______ bye-bye, so ___ can see other people!" I was thinking NOOOOOOOOOOOOO. But I knew out encounter had to end. So I crouched down once more and hugged her. Then I pulled back and pointed to my nose, requesting one last kiss. But she gave me something better. She put her pudgy hands on my cheeks, and said, "I love you, _______."
Tears. Lots and lots of tears. My vision got very foggy very fast.
I'll never forget Ellie in the orange shirt for as long as I'll live. And I know, although she didn't actually know me, she will never forget my friend.
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