Chapter 6: A New Canvas
As autumn approached, Maya enrolled Lily in Cedar Cove Elementary. The principal, Mr. Harrison, was a kind man who listened attentively as Maya explained their situation without going into excessive detail.
""We focus on kindness and inclusion here, Mrs. Vance,"" Mr. Harrison assured her. ""Lily will be safe.""
On her first day of second grade, Lily stood at the school gates holding her yellow backpack. Her light brown stubble was just beginning to grow back, uneven but real. She chose not to wear her hat.
Maya watched from the car, her heart in her throat, as a group of children approached Lily. A young girl with bright red pigtails pointed at Lily's plush rabbit tucked in her side pocket.
""Is that a bunny?"" the girl asked enthusiastically.
Lily nodded timidly. ""Her name is Barnaby.""
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""Cool! Do you want to play on the swings?""
Maya wept quiet tears of relief as she watched her daughter walk onto the playground, hand in hand with new friends.
