Agu Ruth joy

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The sun is just rising.
Lily is awake while the house is still quiet.

Her little sister Maya is sleeping beside her.

Lily sits up slowly and looks at the photo of her mother she kept under her pillow.

She whispers softly.

Lily:
Mommy… I’m going to find you.

She hugs the photo.

Lily quietly gets out of bed and wears her small sandals.

She holds her teddy bear tightly.

Lily lies in bed hugging her teddy bear.

She whispers into the darkness.

Lily:
Mommy… did I do something wrong?

Tears fall down her cheeks.

Lily:
Why did you leave me?

Her little sister Maya sleeps beside her.

Lily slowly closes her eyes.

Lily is sitting on the floor beside her 2-year-old sister Maya.

Maya is playing with a toy.

Lily looks at a photo of her mom.

Lily:
Maya… where is Mommy?

Maya just laughs, not understanding.

David walks into the room.

Lily gathers courage.

Lily:
Daddy… why did Mommy leave?

David suddenly becomes angry again.

David:
I said stop talking about her!

Lily jumps in fear.

She begins to cry quietly.

All the children are playing.

Emma runs toward Lily.

Emma:
Lily! Come play with us!

Lily shakes her head.

Lily:
My mommy always pushes me on the swing.

Emma looks confused.

Emma:
Maybe she will come later.

Lily whispers sadly.

Lily:
I hope so.

Children are laughing and playing.

Lily sits alone at her desk drawing a picture.

The picture shows a little girl holding her mommy’s hand.

Mrs. Grace notices her sadness.

Mrs. Grace:
Lily dear… why are you sitting alone?

Lily looks down.

Lily:
My mommy is missing.

Mrs. Grace kneels beside her.

Mrs. Grace:
What do you mean missing?

Lily:
I woke up and she was gone… Daddy won’t tell me where she is.

Mrs. Grace gently hugs her.

David is sitting on the couch staring at his phone, looking tired.

Lily walks slowly toward him.

Lily:
Daddy… where is Mommy?

David suddenly looks irritated.

David:
Lily! Stop asking about your mother!

Lily freezes.

Her eyes begin to fill with tears.

Lily:
(soft voice)
But… I want Mommy.

David sighs and walks away without answering.

Lily begins to cry quietly while hugging her teddy bear.

Soft morning light enters the room. Birds are chirping.

Lily slowly wakes up and stretches.

Lily:
(smiling)
Mommy?

She looks around.

The other side of the bed is empty.

She walks to the door holding her teddy bear.

Lily:
Mommy… where are you?

No answer.