***Amethyst***
"What is eloping?" Cy asked.
Maggie folded her arms. "I thought eloping had something to do with getting married."
"It can." Sweat beaded Ame's brows. "When talking about someone who's autistic, it means running or wandering off from caregivers or secure locations."
Cy bit her lip. "That sounds terrifying."
"It certainly can be," Ame said.
"Is that how he got hurt?" Maggie asked.
Ame flinched. "I was late to pick him up. A giant oaf and his crew did that to him."
Cy's eyes clouded over. "Poor kid. No wonder he was scared of us."
"Was that why he made that awful sound?" Maggie asked.
Ame nodded. "He was about to get distressed. It's also why he tried to hurt himself."
Maggie's eyes widened. "What exactly does that accomplish?"
"I don't know if any of us can relate to that." Ame sighed. "Without trying to talk to him, I can't know his exact reasoning. He was overwhelmed by something."
"Cy and I, you mean?"
"I don't think so. His clothes could have been bothering him. It could have been too loud. A lot of factors could have been at play on top of anything you both did."
Maggie looked at Ame like she grew another head. "Are you saying that kid tried to hit his head because he didn't like his pants?"
"His mind works differently from yours." Ame paused. "Imagine you have a highway in your head. Not only are all five lanes open, but the cars are driving at the proper speeds and signaling correctly." She rubbed her arms. "Some of his lanes are blocked. Some that are open drive too slow. Others speed like heck. Others can't use their turn signal correctly. Not only is that stressful, but it's confusing, too. That's why he does things we can't always understand."
"Yeah..." Cy had a serious face. "That makes a lot of sense. It's why the way he interacted with us was different."
"Did he take anything from your stand?" Ame frowned. "I'll pay you for it."
"No." Maggie sighed. "I'm sure Cy would have gladly fed him no questions asked, but he never asked."
Cy gave her friend the side eye. "I wouldn't let a child starve."
"And I wasn't going to let you not be paid."
Ame rubbed the back of her neck. "Could I buy something from you?"
"You don't have to," Cy said.
"But I'd like to."
Cy smiled. "What would you like then?"
"A coffee and would you happen to have any cookies?"
"I actually made some this morning. I love to offer them when I get kids."
Ame averted her gaze. "A coffee and two cookies please."
"Coming right up." Cy started on the coffee. "Would you like to buy anything for your son?"
"Did he eat anything?"
"Not as far as we know," Maggie replied.
Ame sighed. "I'd like to get food for him, but I don't think I should do that right now. I could offer him his favorite foods and he still might not take it."
"Maybe you should buy something anyway?" Maggie said. "He might be hungry when he feels better?"
Ame cracked a smile. "Yeah, he probably will. Could I get some chicken soup for him?"
"Are you sure you want that?" Cy frowned. "It will get cold if he waits to eat it."
"Yeah. He's been feeling crummy lately, so I think he'll like it."
"Alright." Cy shook her head before smiling again. "I could cut up a hot dog for his puppy?"
"I think she'll like that." Ame turned on the screen on her terminal. "How much do I owe you?"
"4.35 BytKessel," Cy replied.
The two girls tapped their terminals.
Cy smiled. "I hope your son gets better soon."
Maggie blinked before looking around. "Where did he go anyway?"
"He probably wandered off again," Ame said.
Cy stiffened up. "Did you need help looking for him?"
"No, I'm fine." Ame smiled. "I have an idea of where he might be."
"He was trying to hurt himself." Maggie's eyes widened. "Shouldn't you make sure he isn't going to do that?"
"With someone who's autistic, it can be better to give them space and let them cry." Ame patted Cy's back. "His puppy can watch over him. I don't think she'd let him hurt himself. If she can't, I'll step in."
Cy bit her lip. "Alright. I'll be here if you need anything."
Ame gave a small smile and waved before leaving.
***
Alastair ran to a tree some distance away. Ame ran after him to keep eyes on the boy. With the boy in a fragile place, it was unwise to leave him unsupervised.
He slumped to the ground. Good thing this wasn't a rocky area. Otherwise, it would be an extremely uncomfortable place for him to recover.
It would be a minute before he would try to go back to sleeping in his tree. Ame could finish her coffee and cookies before leaving his soup and the hot dog for the puppy.
Kayleigh. Please convince him to take the food. Just how much more could this poor scrawny kid take?
His pale face was bright red when he was done crying. He slumped into the tree. It looked like even his own head was heavy.
The puppy licked away his tears before nudging his nose with her own.
"Don't go." Alastair's voice had a rasp to it. "You need to rest your owie."
Wow. He wasn't in much better shape. Still, the puppy was his first priority. It was heartbreakingly sweet.
Ame set the food in the hollow of a nearby tree before slipping away.
Why wouldn't he just go home? Not only would he be fed, but he'd be loved, too. Then he could just focus on getting better. That would probably be Hannah's wish for him.
Alastair got back up. He petted his puppy as he walked back to his hollow.
He and his puppy then sat down to eat the food Ame left them. Ame smiled and walked away.
Ame went back to Cy's stand. Her cheeks reddened. "Could I talk to you?"
Cy smiled. "What did you want to discuss?"
Ame blinked. "I should probably tell you my name first. I'm Amethyst, but please call me Ame."
"I'm Cyan. It's nice to properly meet you." She took off her apron. "What did you want to ask me?"
Ame straightened her posture. "Would you be willing to care for my son? I overheard your conversation with your friend. I won't ask you to pay rent in return."
"When there isn't a festival in the area, I run a food stand in a park. Is that a problem?"
"No, it shouldn't be. You would have to learn how to balance both, but I'm not opposed to it."
"Of course." Cyan smiled. "I'd be willing to work with you if anything comes up."
Ame smiled. "Thank you, Cyan."
Maggie grabbed Cyan by the wrist. "Come with me."
"Maggie. You're hurting me!"
With that, the two girls went out of sight.
***Cyan***
"Sweet Minicha, Maggie!" Cyan broke free of her friend's grasp. "Why did you do that?"
"Cyan Iris Sinclair, are you insane?" Maggie nearly shouted.
Cyan looked at the girl out of the corner of her eye.
"You don't know that lady." The redhead put her hands on her hips. "You don't think her so-called son was acting strange?"
"The kid got hurt. Doesn't he have the right to be fearful of strangers?"
"Then shouldn't a good mother care for her injured child?"
"That doesn't mean that's easy to do without help." Cyan turned her back. "I'm done having this conversation."
Cyan ran back toward Ame. "I'd like to see your house if you don't mind."
Ame grinned. "Of course not."