“Of course. What would you like him to pick up?”
“Wally,” I whisper.
Papi smiles. “Is Wally a walrus?”
I nod. “Of course he is.”
Papi’s expression grows serious. “I have something for you, Little one.”
“What is it?”
“A letter. From Olivia.”
I gasp. “Seriously?” Olivia sent me a letter?
He nods. “She wanted you to know she’s happy. My intent was to deliver it to you and walk away, but then I arrived to find out you were sick, and besides a part of me believed I would feel a connection with you when I met you. I wasn’t about to leave the letter with a stranger. I wanted to hand it to you myself so I could assure Olivia you received it.”
I’m so excited, I’m nearly bursting. “Papi! Give it to me.”
He chuckles and leans to one side to reach toward the end table. A moment later, he holds up an envelope. It’s not sealed. The flap is folded into itself. “Have you read it?” I ask.
He nods. “I have. I wouldn’t have wanted you to see it if I thought it would upset you.”
I’m not sure if I’m disgruntled by his interference or pleased that he would protect me like that.
He hands it to me. “Go ahead.”
He’s not going to give me any privacy. I know I’m going to end up crying. I hope he doesn’t mind. I doubt he will.
It turns out just like I thought. I read the letter five times from beginning to end. Tears are running down my cheeks. “I can’t believe I’m going to see her again.”
Papi kisses my forehead and uses his thumbs to wipe away my tears. “You will in no time at all, Baby girl.”
“Do you think she’ll be surprised?” I angle my head to face him.
“Definitely.”
“Did you indicate you thought you might bring me back?”
He shakes his head. “Never said a word. I wouldn’t have wanted to get her hopes up. Even though my gut told me I would claim you, I had nothing to base that on. It was absurd really. My people aren’t psychic.” He chuckles. “She’s going to be shocked.”
I clap my hands together. “I can’t wait.” I twist to look at him again. “She explained a lot of details about your planet in that letter, things no one on Earth knows. Would you have let me read the letter if you hadn’t claimed me?”
He sighs. “I’m not sure what I would have done. It would have been a difficult decision. I might have had to edit it or read it to you without letting you touch it so I could leave out some parts.”
I snuggle against him. “I’m glad you gave it to me. I’m glad you found me. I’m glad you cured me. I’m glad I’m yours.”
Papi wraps me in a tight hug. “Me too, Baby girl. Me too.”
ChapterSeven
Thabo
John graciously ran a few errands for us, including taking a letter to Janie’s boss and friend, Carolyn. He got the keys to Janie’s apartment from Carolyn also. After retrieving the requested items and Janie’s ID, he locked up and returned the keys to Carolyn who agreed to handle the lease and contents.
Janie had wanted to see her boss one more time, but Little girls are not permitted to exit Club Zoom or even go down to the ground floor once they’ve been claimed. Guests are also not allowed above the first floor.
One of the reasons is contamination. Once we get our Littles upstairs, we start the process of cleansing their skin and bodies of the more toxic materials on Earth. We switch to Eleadian water, healthier food options, gentler soap products. Nothing goes into our bodies that’s not organic. We don’t use additives and preservatives. Dyes or bleaches. If we were to allow our females contact with the human population after starting the cleaning process, we would be backtracking.