“Savvy is still here, but she has other things she needs to do today.”
He heard her tossing pebbles against the interior wall. He shot Savannah a helpless look. She stood nearby, her arms across her chest. He didn’t deserve any help, not after the way he’d disregarded her insight. But he was really at a loss. She didn’t look like she was coming to his rescue anytime soon.
“Come on, Wren. I need you to come out so we can talk about this.”
“No.”
Oh brother. He stood.
Savannah gave a silent shake of her head. He got the message—he wasn’t supposed to back down. Rookie Parenting 101: don’t let the preschooler own you. Easier said than done, though. He had no leverage here. Well, maybe some snacks in the car... But luring her out with food didn’t feel like the right approach either.
“Wren, I’d like to hear more from you about what happened,” he said. “Can you tell me your side of the story?”
More rocks pinged the inside of the tunnel. “I told Sabby already.”
He blew out a long breath. She was not going to make this easy.
Savannah motioned for him to follow her.
They walked over to the swings. Far enough away that they could talk quietly but, of course, not out of sight.
“I’m so sorry, Savannah. You tried to tell me she needed some time at the house, and I didn’t listen.”
“It’s all right.” She sat down on the swing, grabbed the chain-link handles and gently pushed off with her toe.
He slumped into the swing beside hers and tried to remain still. Swings had never been his thing.
“Come on—swing.” Her hair streamed behind her shoulders as she pumped her legs, sailing higher and higher.
“Can I pass? Not exactly my idea of a good time.”
She dropped her voice to an exaggerated whisper. “If we look like we’re having fun, I’m pretty sure Wren will join us. She likes to swing, and she doesn’t want to be ignored.”
“Then why is she hiding?”
“Because she bit someone and feels guilty,” Savannah said. “She’s afraid of what might happen next.”
“Does she think I’d...hurt her?” He shuddered at the words. Being an emergency foster parent had tested his patience, and he’d definitely lost sleep over how best to care for Wren. But he’d never in a million years cause harm.
Savannah dragged her sneaker in the dirt to slow the swing. “I don’t know what she thinks, but she is afraid that you’re angry.”
Levi scrubbed his hand over his face. “Driving over here, I thought someone had bitten her. But you’re saying she did the biting?”
“Yes,” Savannah said. “She bit someone because she didn’t like where they were sitting. That’s not okay, but we have to be really careful. She already feels ashamed.”
He glanced over, studying the concern etched across Savannah’s features. “I want to help her and do the right thing. She needs to know that she can’t go around biting people until she gets what she wants.”
“You are exactly right. In this situation, we have to teach her how to change her behavior in a way that helps her feel secure.”
“What does that look like? I’m doing everything I can here, Savvy. She still acts out.”
“I know it’s not going to be easy,” Savannah said. “It won’t happen in a couple of weeks. It might not even happen in a couple of months. The girl she bit is okay, by the way. Wren didn’t leave a mark or anything. I asked about her—her mother had already taken her home by the time I got here.”
“I’m not sure I can do much about biting in the next few weeks. What if she goes to stay with somebody else? This is only supposed to be a temporary stop.”
“You don’t know what’s going to happen next.” Savannah’s earnest tone and her compassion for Wren filled his chest with a pleasant warmth. He never would’ve figured out how to navigate this on his own. “What if you end up being her forever home? Won’t you be glad that you made the effort to build a strong foundation?”
Valid point.
“I have no right to ask for your help after I bulldozed your last suggestion, but...do you have any coping strategies? Because I don’t know where to go from here.”
“I’m so glad you asked.” She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Wren will probably not be thrilled, so you’ll have to stand your ground. I suggest encouraging her to apologize. Since she probably can’t write well, encourage her to color a picture. Or help bake some cookies to take to the family of the girl she bit.”
Sighing, he tipped his head back. “You’re right. On both counts. She needs to apologize, and she won’t be excited about it.”
Savvy offered an empathetic smile. “You’re doing a great job with her, Levi. She’s fortunate to have you in her life.”
Encouraged by her kind words and sweet smile, Levi pushed to his feet. “Thank you. It hasn’t been easy. I need to coax her out of her hiding spot.”
“Wait.” She discreetly tipped her head toward the jungle gym. “Looks like she’s on her way over.”
Levi turned and glanced over his shoulder.
Wren was inching her way out of hiding. Slowly, she stood and trudged toward them with her chin dipped low.
“Let her speak first.” Savvy’s gentle guidance filtered around him. “She might surprise you.”
He nodded, willing his features to form a gracious, patient expression.
