Chapter 14: A Day at the Park

The sun was shining brightly as Jaime walked hand in hand with Papa to the park, feeling a sense of excitement and freedom. The fresh air and the sound of children's laughter lifted his spirits, and he couldn't help but smile. As they arrived at the park, Jaime's eyes widened with wonder. There were swings, slides, and a big, fluffy jungle gym. Papa led him to a group of children, all around Jaime's age, who were playing together. The children welcomed Jaime with open arms, and soon he was laughing and playing with them. There was a boy with a big smile and a messy mop of hair, a girl with a ponytail and a love for swings, and another boy who was a bit quieter, but loved to play with blocks. Jaime was having the time of his life, until he noticed that the quiet boy had bruises on his arms and legs. As Jaime watched, the boy with bruises tried to join in with the others, but he kept glancing nervously at a tall, dark figure standing on the sidelines. Jaime followed his gaze and felt a shiver run down his spine. The man was imposing, with a stern expression and a commanding presence. The boy with bruises seemed to be trying to stay close to him, but the man didn't seem to be paying much attention. The boy with bruises approached Jaime and whispered, "That's my daddy. He's scary. Can you help me?" Jaime felt a pang of sympathy, but he didn't know what to do. He looked away, trying to ignore the boy, and continued to play with the others. Just then, Papa called out, "Jaime, it's time for a snack!" Jaime ran over to Papa, who was sitting on a bench with a basket of sandwiches and fruit. As they sat down to eat, Jaime couldn't help but glance over at the boy with bruises, who was now sitting with his daddy. But before long, the boy's daddy stormed over to him, his face dark with anger. Jaime heard the boy whimpering and then the sound of a loud smack coming from the bathroom nearby. Jaime's heart sank, and he felt a wave of guilt wash over him. He had ignored the boy's plea for help, and now he was paying the price. Papa's voice was calm and gentle as he said, "Let's finish our snack, Jaime. We don't want to be late for our next activity." But Jaime's appetite was gone, and he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in his stomach. He glanced over at Papa, who seemed oblivious to the scene that had just unfolded. As they left the park, Jaime couldn't help but wonder what had happened to the boy with bruises, and whether he would ever see him again. The memory of the boy's pleading eyes and the sound of his daddy's anger lingered in Jaime's mind, making him feel anxious and unsure.