She never smiles. She never speaks. She looks at you so distrusting. The bubbliest, sweetest, grandma-motherly-type person could squat down and say the warmest words to her and be met with a tiny cold stare.

She plays. She does what the other kids do, follows their lead, and listens to directions. She can make pictures, color, walk in line, join in a game, but its always silent, meek.

It’s like she is medicated for obedience. She is programmed to function like a child, but without the parameters for emotion.

Why would a little girl behave this way? Is there something odd at home? I’ve noticed her brother is a show-off, loud, a daredevil. Maybe he does all those things for her, so she doesn’t have to.

The oddest part is that her family has started calling her Lucy. That’s not her name. I haven’t the foggiest where that came from. She responds to it. But why? Names are integral. Names are a way of defining us. Has she been redefined? At the tender age of 3? Who is she?

I want to know her, maybe to help.