Excerpts from the Life of Alicia and Solomon Charger 3
What did happen to Alicia?
Alicia Waker, 3 years old, the day before she is to go to preschool and meet the buffalo boy who would become the love of her life. She has a question. ``Mommy,'' She ask, ``When do I get arms and legs like you and daddy?'' Mrs. Waker was taken aback, at first, only because she expected the question about her limbs to come tomorrow. ``Well,'' Mrs. Waker started, ``You...'' The ebony sow struggled to find the words. Eventually, she starts again. ``Well, Ali, you won't,'' says Mrs. Waker. The words hurt as they leave the poor mother's mouth. Alicia stares at her mother in shock and confusion. ``What,'' she asks, ``Why?''
Mrs. Waker takes out a box and removes a photo from inside. In the picture, Mrs. Waker is in a hospital bed with a little piglet with arms and legs. ``Who's that,'' asks Alicia pointing to the baby. ``That's you,'' Mrs. Waker said, ``before you lost your arms and leg.'' Alicia looked at her mother still confused. ``What happened, Mommy,'' she asked. Mrs. Waker can barely contain herself. ``We... We don't know,'' she said, ``There was a car accident... When they found you... They were gone... Your arms and legs were gone... We couldn't find them...'' Mrs. Waker breaks down crying, hugs her poor daughter tight. She barely got out, ``And they don't grow back...''
At this, Alicia starts bawling. ``Why, Mommy,'' she cried, ``Why did this happen to me?'' ``I don't know, Ali,'' Mrs. Waker said, ``I don't know...'' They continued to cry for who knows how long. ``I'm sorry, Ali. I'm so sorry...''