Sketch to finish

Sometimes the brainstorming for a story leads to ideas that probably won't be used in the book, but you don't want to let go of them completely.

That's what this is. The storyline has bounced around a bit and the characters have morphed too. I found this small sketch in my big 21" tall sketchbook of story ideas, and I thought, the relationship between this pair needs to be explored in watercolor paint.
Is the grownup a teacher? An aunt? A mom? A neighbor?

In my story she's the little girl's mom -- but that could change, just like a hundred other things about this work in progress could change.
Monday, September 26 is National Dumpling Day. Go hug your lil' dumpling. :) 

-- Ruth McNally Barshaw