14
The riverbank was foggy and unusually cold for a summer day. Six-year-old Lorcan gazed at the empty sandy strip, watching the cool water rolling miniature waves onto lonely stones and rocks. His mother pulled at his shoulder when he tried to get closer to the river.
“She’s not there, Lorcan.”
“But she’s always there.” Lorcan’s eyes filled with anxiety.
“Maybe her parents realized how dangerous the riverbank is and decided not to let her come here.”
“What if something happened to her?”
“Don’t think like that, Lorcan.”
“But I know. I just know it, Mother!” Lorcan tried to run out to the river, but his mother held him back again, lifting him from the ground.
“Lorcan, if you don’t calm down, I’ll tell your father you’ve been coming here, and I’ll never be able take you anywhere. I s
