Standing in Kimberly’s office, I remember the dejected looks on my daughters’ faces and ask, “There’s a family friendly event coming up, right? Do you think I could cover it? Do you think I could bring my two daughters?”Kimberly looks up at me, away from her computer. “Trouble at home, Esther?”I d
Miles leads the girls over to the hole, where other volunteers are placing the tree. After the tree is set, Miles directs the girls to collect scoopfuls of dirt in their hands and pack it in around the base of the tree.The girls get dirt on their knees, elbows, and under their fingernails, but thei
As the day goes on, the girls grow tired of planting trees and want to start playing in the nearby wide open field with other kids their age.“Is it okay?” Violet asks me. Iris stands nearby, glaring at the ground like I’m about to say no.“Just stay where I can see you,” I tell them.They agree and
Violet may have skinned knees, but if Miles wasn’t as fast as he is, she would also have a red face from a slap. I would have done my own screaming if he didn’t intervene when he did.“Let’s get you to first aid,” I say, lifting Violet up. She’s a bit heavy for me, but after what just nearly happene
I’m out of my mind with worry. The nurse agrees to stay with Violet, so Miles and I split up to fully search the fair. I go to the fair security and explain what’s going on. They gather more people for the search and make announcements for Iris to meet me at the lost and found.She never shows. No o
She shakes her head again.“Your father is there,” Miles says, in case she’s refusing just because of her current dispute with her mother. Miles doesn’t like Garnar by far, but getting Iris to safety is his top priority at the moment, even if that safety is also where Garnar is.Iris shrinks into he
“You did?” Iris asks, her voice soft with wonder while her eyes narrow with disbelief.Miles can understand her doubt. Nowadays, he gives off the impression that he fully follows the straight and narrow. Even back then, he pretended to be a good kid to everyone outside of his home. To his parents th
“I do.” Because I’m still worried he won’t take me seriously, I stop and look right at him. “I do, Miles. Truly. Thank you for this.”He stops walking too, to meet my gaze. His attention lifts to the top of my head. Suddenly, he reaches out and gently plucks something out of my hair. As he withdraws