CHRISTMAS SERIAL: Chapter 17

The story so far: Rafiki the gorilla, Bomani the meerkat, Malaika the elephant and Uhura the giraffe have become human for one day. Rafiki and Bomani are looking for their new young friend, Micah. Malaika and Uhura have attended a Christmas Eve service with their new friend, Jean.

The service over, Malaika, Uhura and Jean walked out into the icy night.

“That was beautiful,” Uhura said. Jean, still overcome with emotion, nodded.

Malaika looked up at the night sky. The clouds had parted enough to reveal a slice of stars, but no moon.

“We really need to get going,” Malaika said.

“I’m sorry,” Jean said. “I’ve dominated your entire day. Is there someplace I can take you?”

“We have a, uh, thing at The Broadmoor,” Malaika said. “But we can find a ride.”

“Don’t be silly,” Jean said. “I’d be happy to take you.”

They were headed for the car when they saw the boy. Young, about 8, sitting alone at a bus stop, a worried look

on his face, his arms clutched against his chest.

Jean kneeled down in front of him.

“Child, are you OK?”

•••

Micah hadn’t known where to go, what to do. Rafiki and Bomani were nowhere to be found, and it had gotten dark and cold, and he wasn’t sure how to get back home. Now these three women were standing before him.

“Are you alone?” Jean asked him. “Where are your parents?”

Micah looked down at his feet.

“In Afghanistan. They’re in the military. I live with my aunt.”

“And where is she?”

“Home probably. Worrying about me probably.”

“And where is home?”

Micah recited his address.

“That’s my neighborhood,” Jean said. “I live on the next street.”

She studied him carefully. “I’ve seen you,” she said. “Walking to school maybe. You always stop and say hi to my dog, Noche, when he’s out in the front yard.”

“Is he a big black dog?” Micah asked.

“That’s the one,” Jean said, with a smile.

 “So were you running away?” Malaika asked him.

“Not exactly. I was looking for these two guys.”

He looked down the sidewalk and his eyes widened.

“Those two guys!”