“What if they want to give me back?”

“They won’t, I promise.”

“Pinky promise?”

“Pinky promise.”

Their pinkies wrapped around each other as they stepped out of the car into the sunlight of the North Carolina sky. It was an abnormally bright day in mid September. The air warm as it encircled them in the parking lot of their local Olive Garden. The girl was anxious, the woman could tell. She was playing with her fingers and constantly tucking her hair behind her ears. Her overalls were a vibrant red on top of her dull white shirt and her other hand was occupied by her black trash bag that seemed to carry the only things that were important to her. It broke her heart to hear this little girl, no more than six years old, afraid of being returned. They entered the lobby, and stood for a while, neither of them saying too much, the bag placed on the ground by the girl’s feet. The atmosphere was quiet. The restaurant was alerted beforehand, the manager making sure to arrange a spot where no interruptions would occur.

“Should we grab a seat while we wait?”

“Yes, please. My feet hurt.” Her pink shoes tapped eagerly on the ground.

“May we sit please?”

“Of course, right this way,” the waitress smiled at the woman, and even harder at the young girl, and guided them to their table and placed down four menus. The young girl stuffed the bag underneath the table, sat down, and began to scan the menu, her eyes bright and cheery. 

“Do you have chocolate milk?”

“Yes ma’am, and for you?”

“A water is fine, thank you,” the waitress left the table leaving the two women alone at the table.

“I don’t really know what any of these foods are, they all sound fancy. Chicken Purmeesan?” 

“Chicken Parmesan, honey” 

“Oh, man, that sounds kinda good.” 

She must be so nervous. 

The man and woman had tried everything they could. They were faced with multiple negatives and multiple doctor’s visits where they would cry and cry. She would apologize everytime to him, tears running down her face as he used the back of his hands to wipe it away, reminding her that it wasn't her fault, that he knew she would do everything she could in order to make him happy, that he was happy with her, and would continue to be. That’s when the doctor suggested it. She was hesitant at first, but after hundreds of thousands of talks with him, they decided that they wanted to. They were then introduced to Gabby. 

They would pick Gabby up from the home, she would strap on her pink shoes, running out into their arms. She was the most comfortable when she was with them. They would take her to the park and to their home. They would take her out to eat, and let her play with their dog, which she promptly called Pupson every single time. Monte would cock his head and look at her, his tongue hanging out of his mouth as he showed his teeth in a smile. They would run and run in the backyard, Gabby would pull Monte around by a stick and he would love it. They were best friends. 

The waitress returned with their drinks and placed them on the table. She dropped straws down beside them and asked if they were ready to order. 

“I want to wait for them please,” her eyes beaming at the waitress.

“Of course sweetie, no worries, take your time.”

“May we have some breadsticks?”

“Yes ma’am.” 

“Relax,” she laughed. “There’s no reason why they wouldn’t-”

“Maybe I’m too loud or, or, they actually wanted a boy and they settled for me.”

The woman stared at her, her eyes narrowing, “They want you.”

“Okay, if you insist.” The waitress put down the breadsticks quickly and walked away with one swift motion, rejoining her coworkers on the other side of the restaurant to talk and laugh, as the restaurant was just about empty. 

Roughly only ten minutes had passed since they had first stepped out of the car and suddenly the bell above the door rang and the man and woman stepped through. In their hands they held suitcases, ones that matched their new set at home, and when they saw the little girl peer around the edge of the booth the woman ran straight in and picked her up, kissing her cheek with the love that a mother gives to her daughter. 

The man rolled the suitcases behind him as he kissed Gabby on the other cheek. He reached under the table, and Gabby helped him untie the knot at the top of the bag, their fingers touching and fumbling, both of them laughing as they struggled to get the knot loose. Then, they dumped the entirety of her belongings into the suitcase. 

“These match the ones that we have at our house, we thought you would like your own set,” the mother said, her eyes flooding with tears. 

The woman stood from the table now, understanding that her job was done, that the little girl had no more reason to wonder if she would ever be returned. As she left, tears running down her cheeks, she passed the group of waitresses huddled together, sensing their own silent crying as well.

It was a beautiful sight, you know, seeing the love of a daughter.

The new family finished their meal and made their way home. The little girl stood in front of the large entrance, drooling with eager anticipation of what’s now hers. She was no longer forced to share a room with many other girls. She was able to sleep in her own bed, to open her own fridge, to play outside with her own dog. Her clothes could be kept in a dresser or closet, no longer a large black bag tucked at the edge of her bed. 

Gabby entered the house, ripping off her jacket and shoes, running to go find Monte to tell him the news that they were now brother and sister. The mom and dad entered the house shortly after, laughing and smiling uncontrollably at everything they had missed out on, but could now experience. 

They put their keys on the counter and their shoes by the front door. 

The large pair of work boots, the dainty slip on sneakers, and the little pink shoes.