79 Park Avenue (38 page)

A small girl was walking toward me. Her hair was the whitest gold I had ever seen. Her eyes were big and roimd and blue, and looking into them was like looking into a mirror. They were my eyes. I could feel a tightening in my chest. I couldn't breathe.

She stopped in front of my desk and looked at me solemnly. Her eyes were wide and unwinking. "I'm Michelle," she said. Her voice was yoimg and clear.

I nodded, unable to speak.

"Mother said I was to stay with you for a while," she said.

I nodded again. I wanted to speak, but I couldn't.

"She said you would look after me." The faintest hint of tears began to creep into those beautiful blue eyes.

A pain began to echo in me and my eyes blurred. I moved slowly around the desk and knelt beside her. I took both her hands in mine. "I'll look after you, Michelle."