Steve and the Lost Little Girl
A little girl stands off to one side, crying. Steve stops chasing after Jan. He turns his swim towards the little girl; increasing his speed, he draws closer and closer to her, finally reaching her. He gets out of the water onto the faux beach, running towards the little girl’s side. “Hey, little lady. What’s the matter? You okay?” Steve asks softly and reassuringly.
Scared, the girls tells Steve, “I lost my mommy and daddy! Jan stops and looks back. She sees Steve approaching the little girl on the faux beach. Swimming up to the beach, she gets out of the water, and walks toward Steve and the little girl. Reaching the two, Jan stands next to Steve, and asks, quietly, “Steve, what are you doing?” “Just helping this little girl in trouble,” Steve answers.
“Steve, you really shouldn’t. These days, you try helping a kid, and next thing you know, you’re getting charged with trying to abduct them! Leave her alone.” “I understand that. But we have to do something!” He says with passion and conviction. “How about this, you stay with her, and I’ll go find a park ranger?” “Okay, that’ll work,” Jan says, nodding her head in agreement.
Jan moves to stand next to the little girl. Steve avoids the water, and decides to run up the beach. He gets to the sidewalk parallel to the river, and starts walking, brusquely, towards a concession stand. A young couple are walking toward Steve. Steve can tell they look very worried and concerned about something. Steve approaches the couple, carefully asking, “Excuse me?
Are you looking for someone?” This question surprises the mother, “Ah... yes, yes! Yes, we are! How did you...?!” Steve stands still for a moment, looking at the parents intently. “I just thought. You know…You have that look… That look of worry.” “Our daughter, she’s wandered off!” The father replies, quickly and without hesitation. Steve gestures for them to follow him and walks off.
“Come on, I think I found her.” The father is walking quickly next to Steve. “You...found her?” Steve leads them back to the beach. “Well, my girlfriend and I did, and I was going to alert the rangers, when I saw you. I sort of had the feeling that you two might be her parents.” They see the little girl, and she sees them.
They run to each other and embrace. “Oh, sweetie! We were so worried about you. Don’t ever do that again, okay?!” the Mother says in a kneeling position, holding the child close as she strokes her back.