1000
the little children sing along, and that's when i see her.
'hi,' she doesn't hear me.
1040
she takes my hand and we walk, a weight barely on my fingers.
she talks about the blue see-saw nearby her home, her yellow rain coat, balloons, chinese songs, she likes singing, chocolate, she can't eat chocolate.
we are friends.
1120
'will you be coming onto the bus?'
'no, celine, i can't.'
1230
i take her hand and we make our way to the bus.
'bye bye celine.'
'bye bye,' a small wave and then sad smile children aren't supposed to have.
she walks a few steps and turns to check i'm still there.

oh celine, did you know many people can't eat chocolate too?
they're lactose intolerant.

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