Now, I need a volunteer, Katie called out. Some one who would like to put on a glove and have Susie climb from my glove to their glove.
Megan shrieked and ran to the front of the class, eagerly waving her hand to take the glove. Casey saw Sherry Harringtons face go blank with surprise. Katie smiled and handed Megan the glove. Could the raptors be a doorway to Megans healing? Casey wondered.
Okay, we have a volunteer. Megan, right?
Megan nodded her head and excitedly pulled the child-size falconers glove onto her right hand. She could hardly stand still, her gaze rapt on Susie.
Okay, Megan, Katie soothed, the first thing you need to do is stand very quietly. A raptor gets upset if its being jostled around. Do you understand?
Megan instantly quieted and nodded her head, suddenly becoming very serious.
Casey took a small camera out of her pocket. She wanted photos of Megan and Susie for the childs sake. She would download the photos into her computer tonight and make sure that Megan got copies of them in the mail. Just as Susie was transferred to Megans outstretched glove, Casey took several photos.
Megan stood there, her blue eyes huge as she stared wonderingly into Susies black, unblinking eyes. The barn owl was relaxed on her glove. The rest of the class gave a collective ooohhh
Katie had Megan turn to the class. Now, Megan, how does it feel to have Susie on your glove?
Casey held her breath. The little girl struggled. She opened her mouth, closed it. Frowned. And then tears tracked down her reddened cheeks. Katie gently patted her shoulder. Its okay, Megan. Many of us have no words for how wonderful a raptor feels on our glove. Isnt that right, kids?
Caseys heart burst open with sympathy for Megan. The girl nodded briskly and quickly wiped her tears away with her other hand. Susie blinked and seemed to understand what was going on, quietly sitting on Megans glove. Casey took several more photos before Susie was transferred back to Katies glove.
Just as Katies demonstrations were complete, the noon bell rang; it was time for lunch. All the children went to the cafeteria, leaving the three women alone.
Sherry Harringtons face was filled with excitement. Katie, Casey, this is a first! Megan Sinclaire has been a ghost throughout the first and second grades. You dont realize how wonderful this is!
Raptors are magical,
Katie murmured, closing Susies box. They can reach in and touch our hearts in a way nothing else can. I thought for sure Megan was going to speak.
She tried, Casey murmured.
Oh, I know! Sherry sighed. Katie, I honestly believe youve provided an important breakthrough for Megan. This afternoon Im going to have the children draw their favorite raptor, and then were going to the library computers and theyre going to do research on their raptor.
I have photos of Megan with Susie, Casey told her. Do you think that it will be helpful to send them to her father?
I think so. In fact, Sherry touched Caseys arm, would you do something for me?
Sure.
Im going to call Matt Sinclaire tonight and tell him what happened today. Would you have time to drive over to his house with the photos? You saw Megan here in class. She knows and she trusts you. Maybe if you take the photos over to Megan, he can see for his own eyes the effect it had on her. This could be a way to get her to speak again. Oh, Im so excited! We owe both of you so much! I was so worried for Megan. I was anxious that the birds would scare her or traumatize her even more. But they didnt. They opened her up as nothing else has! Sherry quickly wiped away tears. She took out a tissue and blew her nose.
Katie touched the teachers shoulder. I had heard of Megans situation before this. Jackson Hole is a small town and we all knew what happened to the Sinclaires. I was over at Quilters Haven when I heard about it from Gwen Garner, the owner.
Sniffing and laughing, Sherry said, Oh, yes, our quilting store! If you want to know anything about whats going on, you go there.
You know that Bev Sinclaire was a quilter before she was murdered? Katie asked.
Casey said, Im new here, and I havent gotten to know this area yet.
Do you quilt, Casey? Katie asked.
I sew my own clothes. I dont have any quilting skills.
Well, Sherry said, since youre stationed here for the next five years as a ranger at the Tetons National Park, make yourself known to Gwen at the quilting store. The women all gather over there. They know everything thats going on in the area. It might do you some good to go there for a visit with Gwen before you see Matt Sinclaire and his daughter.
Nodding, Casey said, Ive just rented an apartment in town with a woman firefighter, Cat Edwin.
Oh, I know her! Sherry said. Shes the only woman on the fire department. And shes a quilter. Did you know that?
Shaking her head, Casey murmured, I just got the apartment with her because shed advertised for a roommate. I knew she was with the fire department, but I havent had time to get to know her much at all.
Katie grinned and picked up the two raptor boxes. Go visit Gwen. Shes the wife of a rancher. The Garner family has been in this valley since the fur trappers came here a hundred and fifty years ago. I think its a great idea to take the photos over to Megan, but get the scoop from Gwen first. That way, you can be educated and handle the situation with the father and daughter even better.