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As I watched her move toward me, blocking the doorway with my body, I couldn't help but wonder what had brought on this sudden change of heart.
Just then, I heard a chorus of giggles emanating from behind her. It sounded like two or three little voices—definitely more than the three-year-old I knew she had or nine-year-old Christopher's.
"Are you having playdates over?" I asked. "And are you about to leave while they're here?"
I knew she was a single mom, and the dad had left last year and had not talked to her or the children since. She had no parents living here who could help her babysit. Was she about to leave them alone in the house?
I elbowed past Emily Matthews before she could say anything, and her face drained of color. As I rushed by, I couldn’t help but notice the deep furrow in her brow and the fear that welled up behind her eyes. My chest tightened as my sneakers thudded against the floorboards of her hallway, echoing through the entire house. Matt and I stepped into a wide living room, my pulse pounding like thunder in my ears.
As I entered the room, my eyes fell upon two little ones whom I instantly recognized. Robert and Maria Baker, Rachel’s twin children, were arguing over a pile of blocks. The sight of them brought a lump to my throat. They looked so much like their mother, and before I knew it, tears threatened to spill from my lashes. Thomas, Alex's pal and Rachel's older son, sat on the sofa with an intense look on his face as he played a video game. Emily stood beside me; her shoulders sagged in resignation as she let out a breath.
"I think we need to talk," I said.
Her face blanched even more, and she swallowed hard, putting the purse back on the table.
"Of course, anything I can do to help," she said, her voice trembling. "Let's sit in the kitchen."
Chapter50
THEN:
Emma and Lily sat in the cold metal chairs of the police station, their bodies trembling with fear. Emma held Lily close, her arms wrapped tightly around her sister's waist, trying to reassure her as they waited to know their fate. Would they send them back to their mother? Would they go to jail for stealing the bread?
Lily was sobbing, her thin frame shaking with each ragged breath she took. Emma wrapped her arm around Lily's shoulder, pulling her close.
"Shh, it's going to be okay," she whispered, even though she wasn't sure if it was the truth.
Lily's eyes were red and swollen from crying, her breath coming in short gasps as she attempted to calm herself. Emma held her hand, rubbing her thumb over the back of it in a soothing gesture.
The room was a chaotic rush of people coming in and out, and it frightened Emma. Emma could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on her, the fear of what might come next, causing her heart to race.
The sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway, causing the girls to jump. A tall, imposing figure appeared in the doorway, his stern expression softening slightly when he saw the two young girls huddled together.
"Emma and Lily?" he asked, his voice low and gravely.
The girls nodded, their hearts racing.
"Y-yes?"
He sat down next to them, folding his hands. "I'm afraid I have some bad news."
Emma looked at him, eyes growing wide. "W-what news?"
"It's your mother," he said with an exhale. "She tried to kill herself. She's in the hospital still."
The news hit Emma and Lily like a ton of bricks. They both knew it was their fault because they had run away. Emma felt a massive wave of guilt wash over her. Maybe if she had been a better daughter, their mother wouldn't have felt so alone. If only they had never run away.
If only.
Lily's sobs turned into quiet whimpers as the reality of the situation set in. Emma held her tighter, unsure of what to say or do to make things better.
The police officer cleared his throat, breaking the heavy silence. "You girls won't be charged with stealing the bread, but we'll need to sort out temporary custody until your mother is better."
Emma nodded, feeling a glimmer of relief. At least they wouldn't be sent to jail.
The officer stood up, his shadow stretching across the room. "I'll give you some time to process everything," he said before leaving the room.
Emma and Lily sat in silence for a few moments, the weight of their mother's situation heavy on their hearts. Emma wanted to say something, to make things better, but the words caught in her throat.
