Jane sat contentedly on the rusty swing at the end of the garden. The air was nice and warm, but a cool breeze kept it from getting too hot. The sunflowers and tulips leaned cheerfully towards the sun. Jane tilted her head and smelled the mix of flowers and freshly cut grass in the air. The sky was a vibrant, cloudless blue and the water in the pond near Wendy's house shimmered blue-green. In the distance Jane could hear the sounds of other children laughing and playing, they were probably going to the park down the street. He took off his black Converse and some strange socks felt the damp grass between his toes. This was Jane's favorite place in the whole world. He was always happy here. Sometimes, at night, he would sit and stare at the sky, gazing in awe at the twinkling stars shining against the dark blue background. He noticed a ragged doll and a one-eyed teddy bear hidden in a small patch of uncut grass beneath the enormous oak tree that provided the canopy overhead. She remembered how she had brought them with her when she first moved here, and Jane thought back to how she ended up with this privileged life. Five years ago, Jane lived in a tiny apartment in the city center. It wasn't the nicest area and the school wasn't the best, but it was home. His mother decorated their homes with ornaments and paintings purchased at garage sales. He did his best to make it a home. Jane wore a uniform one size too small and her hair was often greasy as water was limited in their low-rent apartment. Her mother worked part-time at a dog shelter to pay rent and buy food for herself and Jane. Jane thought she looked happy enough, despite the fact that her husband, Jane's father... was half paper... to do. When Jane stopped crying, Aggie picked her up with surprisingly strong, plump hands and helped her into bed. “Aggie,” Jane whispered thoughtfully, “do you think this will ever end? I mean, do you think it won't affect me as much, now that maybe it's all out of my system?" Aggie sat on the edge of Jane's bed on the brown duvet and thought for a moment, her brow furrowed. "Good. , you will never forget it, and I doubt you would,” he began, pondering how to phrase the next sentence without sounding insensitive, “but I think it's not over. You'll be fine for now, honey, but I think right now you just need some sleep." "Okay, Aggie. And – thank you. For today, I mean." "Goodnight, love." With that, Aggie left the room and Jane, still in her day clothes, laid her head on the pillow and fell into a deep sleep. She would be fine, she always was.