AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My heart sank at those words. “Tonight? So soon? What’s the hurry? Did he suddenly come into a stash of car seats or a warehouse of dresses for little girls?”
Nico simply shrugged. What could he say that would make this any better?
“I don’t know how I’m going to tell her. She’s going to be so scared. I don’t know what to say.”
For the first time, he smiled. “You’ll do what you always do. You’ll make her see she’s loved and it’ll be fine.”
All I wanted to do was cry. This wouldn’t be fine. Nothing would be, and I had no idea how to make it better for her.
He kissed me once more and I walked back into Grace’s bedroom that would soon be just another guest room in Nico’s house. She smiled up at me and pointed at the letter G she’d colored.
“I’m onto H now. How do you spell H, Tia?”
I shook my head and forced a smile. “Honestly, I don’t know. I think it might have an a in it. Your letters look really great, you know that? You’re going to be the smartest girl in kindergarten when you go next year.”
She beamed her happiness and nodded, like she instinctively knew she would be the best in her class. I hoped she’d keep that confidence for the rest of her life.
Fighting back tears, I cleared my throat and said, “Grace, guess what? Your father is coming to get you and take you to his house in the city. How does that sound?”
Surprisingly, she didn’t even bother to look up at me, like what I said didn’t register in her brain. “Are you coming?”
For a second, I thought this might be easier than I had built it up to be, but as soon as she asked me that, I knew all my worry was right.
“No, I can’t. I’m sure your daddy will want to spend as much time as he can with you, so he doesn’t need me.”
That made her lift her head, and in her eyes, I saw fear begin to grow. “But I want you there. Why can’t you come to where I’m going?”
“I wish I could, Grace. I do. But that’s not my decision to make. I’m sure you’re going to love your new house.”
None of those words sounded sincere to my ears. I didn’t know what her father’s house would be like. He was a stranger who’d suddenly decided to take an interest in his daughter after five years. That’s all I knew about him. I didn’t even know his first name.
She slammed her crayon down onto the coloring book and jumped up to her feet. Tears began to stream down her cheeks as she frantically shook her head. Before my eyes, she morphed into that terrified little girl I’d met that first day I arrived at this house.
“No! I want you to be with me, Tia! Don’t let them take me. I want you there!”
Grace ran from the room crying into the bathroom and slammed the door. My heart ached for her, but all I could do was try to make her see things would be okay.
Even if I didn’t trust that they would.
Rushing over to the door, I jiggled the doorknob and found she’d locked it. “Grace, listen to me. It’s going to be good. You’ll see. Autumn in the city is a beautiful time. You can take all your leaves so they can get to see what it’s like to live in the city. Honey, say something. Please.”
I listened for her to speak, but all I heard was crying. Her tears made mine come easier, and I slumped down against the bathroom door as my heart broke for her. She’d just gotten used to living in this house with her uncle, and now she had to get used to a new home and a brand new father she’d never met before.
Worst of all, she had to do it all alone.
The injustice of what had happened to this little girl who loved the outdoors and leaves and making cards for others tore me apart. None of it was fair, and I hated that I couldn’t do a damn thing about it.
Someone shakingmy shoulder roused me from sleep, and I opened my eyes to see Nico standing over me. “Tia, it’s time. He’s going to be here soon.”
“What time is it?”
“Five. The woman from child services just called to tell me they’re on their way.”
I jumped up and got my bearings, remembering Grace had been in the bathroom for all this time. I must have fallen asleep talking to her. She probably thought I gave up on her. Oh, God!
“Grace, honey, it’s Tia. I’m right here, sweetheart. I just fell asleep. Talk to me. It’s okay.”
All I heard was silence.
