Someone laughed.
A stroller rolled past.
A man carrying his own ice cream cone glanced at the interaction but kept moving.
Nia tried to step around the officer.
Dana moved with her.
“Wait.”
“I have to find my grandma.”
“Not yet.”
Nia looked up.
The ice cream had begun dripping over her fingers.
“Why?”
“Because we had a complaint about somebody taking merchandise without paying.”
Nia’s stomach tightened.
“I paid.”
Dana nodded toward the shop.
“Then we’ll verify it.”
“Okay.”
“Give me those.”
Nia stared.
“What?”
“The ice cream.”
“Why?”
“So you don’t make a mess.”
“I can hold it.”
Dana extended one hand.
“Give them to me.”
Nia instinctively pulled both cones closer to her chest.
One tilted.
A line of vanilla slid down the side.
“They’re ours.”
“I didn’t say they weren’t.”
“You said I stole them.”
“I said we’re checking.”
“I paid.”
“Then stop making this difficult.”
Nia’s lower lip began to tremble.
She hated when adults used that tone.
Not loud.
Worse.
The tone that told her she was already in trouble and anything she said would make the trouble larger.
“I want my grandma.”
Dana stepped closer.
“We can find your grandmother after we figure this out.”
A man several feet away lifted his phone.
Dana noticed.
“Sir, please keep moving.”
The man did not.
“I’m on a public sidewalk.”
Dana stared at him.
He continued recording.
Nia looked toward the creamery window.
Rosa Martinez was serving another customer.
“Miss Rosa!”
Rosa did not hear.
“Miss Rosa!”
Dana reached toward one cone.
Nia moved backward.
“Don’t!”
The officer’s hand stopped.
People began noticing.
The man recording moved slightly closer.
A woman carrying a stroller slowed.
Dana lowered her voice.
“Listen to me. I am trying to help you.”
“I paid for them.”
“Then give them to me for a second.”
“No.”
Dana’s jaw tightened.
Nia could see it.
Her father had once taught her what to do if she got lost.
Stay where people can see you.
Find a parent with children or someone working.
Say your full name.
Ask for help.
He had also taught her something else.
If a police officer talks to you, be respectful.
Do what they say unless you are scared.
If you are scared, ask for Mom.
Or Grandma.
Or Dad.
Dad no longer belonged on that list.
Nia looked around again.
“Grandma!”