Chapter 15 - DON'T LET HER TAKE ME
One year after the patio incident, Sarah and Emily moved to a smaller house.
No private patio.
No expensive landscaping.
Just a little backyard with a wooden fence.
Emily loved it.
She planted sunflowers.
On hot days, she asked Sarah to turn on the garden hose.
The first time, Sarah froze.
“Are you sure?”
Emily rolled her eyes.
“Yes, Mom.”
Sarah turned it on.
Emily sprayed the flowers.
Then her shoes.
Then Sarah.
Sarah laughed.
Emily laughed too.
Water became water again.
Later that evening, Rachel sent a birthday card through counsel.
Emily could read it if she wanted.
She chose not to.
Sarah placed it in a drawer.
No pressure.
At bedtime, Emily asked:
“Do you remember when I said don’t let her take me?”
“Yes.”
“I thought she could.”
Sarah sat beside her.
“I know.”
Emily looked at the ceiling.
“Can she now?”
“No.”
“Because you’re my mom?”
“Yes.”
Then Sarah added:
“And because you get a voice too.”
Emily turned toward her.
“A real voice?”
“A real one.”
The adoption Rachel wanted had been about permanence.
Control disguised as belonging.
Sarah had learned something harder.
A child should never have to surrender truth in exchange for family.
Emily pulled the blanket to her chin.
“Good night.”
“Good night.”
Sarah switched off the lamp.
Outside, the garden hose lay coiled beside the flowers.
Harmless.
Ordinary.
May you like
No lie attached to it.
THE END
