Natalie turned at once and recognized the young woman who had become, in her mind, something like a guardian angel. She was ready to thank her with all the feeling in her heart, but the woman stopped her with a small gesture.
— Easy there, sister. Don’t go making a production out of it.
Then she bent toward the child, and the little girl reached for her happily.
— Well now, Camila, looks like we’ve finally met, — she said. Then, looking at Natalie, she added, — Take good care of her. She’s going to lead you where you’re meant to go.
A moment later the young woman slipped a chain with a pendant from around her own neck and handed it to Natalie.
— This is for the baby. A little protection from bad eyes and bad people. And now goodbye for a good long while. You can manage without me now.
It all happened so fast that Natalie barely had time to react. The young woman was already striding down the path.
I need to give her something, at least thank her properly, Natalie thought. She quickly began taking off her earrings and ring, trying to catch up, but with the baby in her arms she couldn’t move fast enough.
— Camila, wait! Please, take this!
But the young woman only glanced back for a second and called out:
— Keep it for my little namesake. And remember — I still plan to dance at her wedding someday!
Natalie stood there in the middle of the path, holding her daughter close. Everything about it felt almost unreal. But the warm little body in her arms reminded her that this happiness was real enough, no matter how strange the road to it had been.
