Pretending To Be Sick

"Yes, Mom!" Evelyn nodded, a smile forming on her face. Wiping away her tears, she held onto her hand and added, "It's me! Your Bunny…" 

A flicker of sadness crossed Gracia's face before she laughed out loud. "Bunny? Bunbiyo boo boo!" she started shouting loudly, confusing Evelyn and Rita. 

"Hahaha! Bunny bunbiyo boo~" Gracia took a step back, laughing out loud and dancing animatedly.

"You recognize me, don't you?" Evelyn pressed on, not understanding if her mind were playing emotional tricks and Gracia was simply repeating the word *Bunny*. Panic filled her heart when Gracia slapped the hand she held. Evelyn tried to hold it again, but Gracia retracted, her eyes narrowing at her. 

"Mom… please… you know it's me!" Evelyn begged, tears trickling down her cheeks. Her intuition screamed that Gracia had recognized her—the softness in her voice when she called her Bunny was all too familiar.