"Hello there, sweetie..."
"Mmm-mmm..."
"Sweetheart, what happened to you? Did your hand get hurt?"
The child stared down at the floor and his injured hand was pressed protectively against his body, as far away from the woman in front of him as he could possibly manage while not running. He was pale and looked afraid to be anywhere near her.
"What happened, sweetheart. Can I see it?"
"Nnn-" He made a negative sound.
"Well...I want to try and see it. Is that okay, sweetheart? It hurts and we have to do something about that."
The little boy's eyes filled with tears and he trembled like he'd been punched instead of having his injured hand gently looked at by her.
"I...have. Ouch-protection."
The boy watched her with wary confusion.
"Women my age have the power to help with ouches. Not quite as good as a mom's magic touch, but..." She gave him a sympathetic smile and held her hand out. "I bet I can make it hurt a little less?"
