“You haven’t seen me since I was two.”
“Well, life gets complicated.”
Sophie noticed the bags.
“Are you staying for my birthday?”
“Of course, sweetheart!”
“For the whole party?”
Vanessa smiled. “We’ll see.”
Sophie nodded, visibly disappointed.
“Will you come back tomorrow?” Sophie asked.
“Let’s not make plans yet, darling.”
“But you know where we live now.”
“Of course I do.”
Sophie looked toward me before stepping aside.
Rob carried in a brand-new bicycle, while Vanessa presented Sophie with a wrapped tablet.
“Thank you,” Sophie whispered.
“See? Mommy knows what you deserve. I can finally give you what your father couldn’t.”
“Vanessa, enough,” I warned.
Sophie looked toward her restored desk.
“Dad made that for me.”
“That’s sweet. But now you have something better.”
“Better?”
“Something you actually deserve.”
Sophie’s happiness disappeared. She took out her phone.
“Mom, can I show you something I found online?”
