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Stormi was sitting cross-legged on the floor watching Emma and Phoebe play. Belle had wanted to ensure that she had some backup with the two of them but had let Stormi know not to interact with them during the session. The girls did not make any noises as they examined the various toys, dolls, and Legos, never latching onto anything. They then caught sight of the crayons with a flicker of interest radiating from their faces. They looked to Belle for permission.
“Can you say, please?” Belle asked.
Emma cocked her head to the side and then made a circle with her flat palm in front of her chest.
Stormi recognized the symbol from another child.
“Wonderful job,” Belle said. “You can color and Phoebe?”
The other little girl duplicated the symbol, with the same results.
Stormi raised a brow to Belle, who silently acknowledged the same thing. The girls could use sign language to communicate. Wonder if that was taught at a preschool prior to their mom’s death, or after? Whatever the case, it was pleasant news as they were able to give information in some format. Belle could work with that.
Stormi watched considerately as Belle progressed through the session. She would ask the girl’s questions; many went unanswered, but some would receive slight hand gestures of acknowledgment. Stormi was always amazed at how patient Belle was with the most challenging patients, but these two just made Stormi want to jump into the fray. She wanted to laugh, jump, or make loud motions, anything to get a response from the girls. They had almost no facial expressions and did not move about excitedly as others did their age. Stormi had to wonder at how difficult this had to be on Grayson. He had not been a parent before this incident, and now he had two traumatized girls trying to and find the best help for and all the while keeping his head above water.
She thought back to that first day when he told them about needing help one night and googling only to find Living River Ranch pop up on the screen. That was not the first time such a fortuitous situation had brought someone here. Stormi thought back to her own origin story and had long acknowledged without Holmer Katzen, Belle, and Margaret, her path could have ended up differently than the one she was now on. She had been an angry child without a family, but therapy, friendship and a job here kept her on the straight and narrow. Finally, the Katzen Foundation putting her through college in exchange for this career had allowed her to be a contributing member of society and not just a statistic, as so often was the case with kids like her.
As she watched Belle wrap up the session, Stormi tried to shake free of her own thoughts.
“I think the girls deserve to investigate some baby puppies,” Belle said after a minute. “What do you two think?” She directed the girls.
A dual “yes” shake of cute little heads told Stormi and Belle everything they needed to know.
Placing little arms in jackets, they prepared to take them back to the nursery that served babies to toddlers. It was convenient for ranch employees who had children in early childhood to have childcare support, allowing them to check-in during the day. Also, some clients such as Emma and Phoebe, who were here for therapy, received help from the low four to one ratio in the nursery. This personalized attention helped in healing younger children needing stability, a schedule, and attention to bolster their therapy.
Belle took Phoebe’s hand, and it surprised Stormi when Emma reached out and took hers. They walked in silence out the doors and headed for the barn area. Just as they reached the door where the litter of newborn puppies lived, Matthew came out another door further down. As usual, Babe, the sheep, was trotting alongside him.
“Hi, Belle! Hi, Stormi!” He said, with an enormous grin.
“Hi Matthew,” Stormi said.
“Matthew, meet Phoebe,” Belle said, showing the little girls she held onto.
“And this is Emma,” Stormi informed him.
“They look the same,” Matthew said, looking at one and then the other.
“They are identical twins,” Stormi confirmed.
“Oh,” Matthew said, looking at both girls before he moved forward and got down on his legs to their eye level.
“I’m Matthew,” he said and held his hand out.
Emma just looked at him until Matthew lightly reached out and put her tiny hand in his. “Grandpa Holmer said, all little kids need to learn to say hi properly.” He informed.
“Nice to meet you, Emma,” he finished as Emma sat staring at him.
When he dropped Emma’s hands, Phoebe reached hers out willingly.
“Nice to meet you, Phoebe,” he said, completely ignoring their silence and holding up the conversation.
“This is Babe,” he informed the twins as the sheep moved forward and bumped into Phoebe.
Both girls tentatively reached out hands and placed them on the sheep. Babe stood very still and allowed the contact.
“She enjoys being petted,” he said, gently sliding Emma’s hand, and then Phoebe’s showing them the best movement.
“We need to keep going,” Belle said. “I promised they could see the new puppies.”
“Oh, they are so cute,” Matthew replied, with a enormous grin again.
“See you later, Emma and Phoebe,” he said, and took off.
With interest, the twins watched him go in silence. They had not balked at the physical contact and were calm during the interaction. This was an excellent first step, Stormi thought, but she was waiting for the day they both started chatting up a storm. Silent two-year olds, is not something she liked. The nonverbal just wanted to make her jump in and help, and that was before the sad eyes fully captured her soul. The girls were responding and communicating in small ways. The next big steps were that first word or a smile. Stormi would do anything for just a smile from either of them. Maybe the puppies would do the trick.
