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>Not long after our little pinky promise did Marina's mother knock on my door, sharp, quick raps on the wood. I instructed Marina to gather her things as I finished putting our bowls in the sink and then went to the door, opening it to her mother. "Ah, Mrs. Datillo. Marina just finished her dinner. I told her to grab her things. Do come in. " The rain apparently hadn't let up while me and Marina had dinner, and she eagerly stepped through the doorway. Marina ran to her, past my legs and hugged her mothers in an embrace, and her mother knelt down to hold her. "Oh Marina, I was so worried! " she said to her, embracing her. Marina giggled, hugging her mother but slowly pushing her away, getting out of her embrace. "You didn't have to worry, mommy. Teacher kept me safe. " She said, smile on her face. I burned that smile into my memory that day, that happiness I longed to forever have and hold. "We even had some dinner! " She exclaimed, her mother's response only a soft laughter as she stood up, and turned to me. "Thank you, Mr. Dutroux. You have no idea how much this means to me. Were anything to happen to Marina, I-" Another chance to ingratiate myself with the girl's mother presented to me on a silver platter. "Nothing will happen to her as long as I'm in the neighborhood, Mrs.Datillo. If anything like this happens again, she'll at the very least know a safe place she can go. " A look of relief bloomed on Mrs. Datillo's face as I reassured her. "Well, we ought to be going..but wait, what about her lesson for today?" She asked, turning from the door. I gestured dismissively, saying "Don't worry about it. We'll schedule one for the regular time tommorow to make up for tonight. " And with that, they exited. My heart pounded in my chest as Mrs. Datillo shut the door, and the rain countinued to patter at the windows. I sat down on my couch, struggling to contain my excitement and pure joy at today's events.
