When she turned back to her babies, they were all gathered in a tight little group, eyes wide, some confused, some scared.
Alina walked slowly toward them, keeping her face as soft and calm as she could, even though her breath was catching and her knees felt unsteady.
Then Sable's eyes welled with tears. The quietest child in her class, the one who barely spoke — his small lips quivered and then his face crumpled. He burst into soft sobs that barely made a sound, and Alina froze.
"Oh— sweetheart…" she whispered and quickly bent down.
She wrapped her arms around him and scooped him into her lap like he was a toddler. His face buried into her shoulder immediately, his tiny hands gripping her blouse.
Alina rocked him slowly, gently, her voice a whisper against his ear. "It's okay… shhh, nothing will happen. I've got you, Sable. You're safe."
