C H A P T E R F O U R
Adam
Once Sophie has a cast and is discharged, Isabel and I decide to tell her that she isn’t going back home.
“Sophie,” Isabel starts, “we’re going to go see where Dr. Patterson lives. He says that he wants to make you a yummy dinner for being such a brave girl.”
Sophie is a smart little girl, she doesn’t believe her mother for a minute.
“Hey, Sophie, do you like ice cream?” I ask.
I look over at Isabel and give her a wink because I have an idea. I kneel in front of Sophie, so we are eye level.
“I like ice cream, why?” she answers.
I can’t help but chuckle. There is not getting anything past this one, Isabel is in trouble when she gets older.
“Well, I need to go to the store before we head to my house. I was hoping you would help me pick an ice cream flavor.”
“Ice Cream? For after dinner?”
“Yes, but you have to be good and listen to Mommy while we are in the store,” I respond. I feel like I am negotiating with a terrorist at this point, but as long as she feels comfortable, I see it as a win.
I look over at Isabel and see her trying to stifle a laugh. When I turn back to Sophie, she seems deep in thought.
“How about ice cream and a movie?”
“Well, Ms. Sophie you have a deal.” I reach my hand out, and we shake to close the deal.
All three of us are smiling as we load into my truck and head to Target, for some supplies for Isabel and Sophie. Going shopping with a four-year-old is an experience. Everything is interesting, Sophie seems to say whatever pops into her head, it's both entertaining and exhausting.
“Ooohhhh, Mommy! I want to feel, all the pillows!” Sophie says as we pass the decorative pillows on our way to grab some clothes for her.
“Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Can I see the toys? Please?!?” she says as we pass the toy aisle after grabbing toiletries for both ladies and clothes for Isabel.
Through the entire trip, Isabel keeps her cool and calmly tells Sophie ‘no’ even when she pouts. The pouty lip pulls my heartstrings, so I take pity on her, she’s had a long day.
“Hey, Sophie, why don’t you help me pick an ice cream flavor? What’s your favorite?” I ask her.
Her entire face lights up like it’s Christmas morning. She starts to answer but looks at Isabel first, when she nods that it’s okay, Sophie lets out a little squeal of excitement.
“I can really pick the ice cream?” she looks at me like I’ll take it back, but I would never do that.
“Yup, you get to pick,” I tell her.
“CHOCOLATE!” she shouts.
Her answer makes me laugh, even though Isabel is telling her to calm down and not be so loud in the store.
“Alright, Sophie. Let’s go pick some ice cream.” Turning to Isabel, I ask, “Mind if I push her?”
Surprised at the offer, Isabel says, “Oh…Um…okay.”
Stepping up to the cart, I start to jog then jump onto the bottom bar of the shopping cart. It’s been a long time since I took a joy ride on a cart, but Sophie’s squeal of laughter makes up for the dirty looks. I can’t control my own laughter as I get the cart under control and wait for Isabel to catch up to us.
“That was fun!” Sophie exclaims, “Can we do it again?”
Before I get a chance, Isabel responds for me, “No, Sophie. That’s enough excitement for tonight.”
She tries to look stern, but she’s hiding a smile as well. We make our way to the ice cream cooler, and I tell Sophie to pick whatever one she wants.
“I want the chocolate one,” she tells me.
“Just plain old chocolate? No marshmallows or peanut butter or caramel?” I ask. I can’t believe she just wants plain chocolate.
“Nope. Just chocolate,” she tells me, putting her hands on her hips. “What’s wrong with just chocolate?”
Putting my hands in the air in surrender, I respond by saying,
“Just checking, sweet pea.”
We gather the items we need and head to the registers, Sophie insists on loading the conveyer belt herself. This girl is amazing. She is smart, spunky, and definitely has a mind of her own. I think I’m falling in love with her already.
I pay for our items, with protest from Isabel, and head out to the truck. We get Sophie in her seat and the bags inside when Isabel turns to me, a somber expression on her face.
She looks up at me with tears in her eyes,
“Thank you.” She is so sincere that I’m not sure what to say.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, concerned over her tears.
“You have been amazing. Thank you,” she says, wiping a tear from her cheek.
“Thank you for letting my little girl feel like a little girl. You made her laugh and smile.”
More tears fall down her face, and I can’t help but wipe them away with my thumb.
“I can’t remember the last time she laughed like she did tonight. Maybe she never has.”
My hands are on her shoulders when she lets out a sob. Carefully, I wrap her in my arms, pull her to my chest, and offer any comfort I can. At this moment, I promise myself that I will do anything and everything possible to protect them.
She wraps her arms around my waist and holds on tight, pressing her cheek against my chest, I’m sure she can feel my heartbeat. I drop my head and kiss her hair.
“You don’t need to thank me, I’m happy to do it. And if I’m being honest with myself, I’m starting to fall in love with your little girl.”
Isabel
Hearing Sophie squeal in the shopping cart tonight made me realize how sad her life has been. It proved to me that I can’t ever go back to Jason, she deserves a much better life than what we have had.
This is all thanks to Adam. He told me tonight that he’s falling in love with Sophie. He’s only spent a few hours with her and yet he loves her. Jason has never once said he loves her. Adam hugged me when I cried. He didn’t get angry and tell me to shut up; he wiped my tears and comforted me. He’s such a good man.
Jason used to be all these things when we first met. He was sweet and loving. We used to take long walks on the beach, hold hands, and sneak kisses when no one was looking. I can’t pinpoint when it happened, but one day he just got so angry he hit me. At first, I thought it was my fault, so I apologized. He said he would never do it again, but then he did. Again and again, he would hit me and tell me how worthless I am.
Then I was blessed with my little miracle, Sophie, but it didn’t stop. I had to protect her now too. I got the beatings twice as bad because I had to take hers as well, but I took them because I knew she was safe. That was until tonight. Why didn’t she come to me first, why should a four-year-old be afraid to get some food? All these questions constantly swirl around in my head. Now that we are with Adam I can sleep and know my baby won’t go hungry. She may even be able to laugh and play like a normal child her age. I just hope that I am not making the same mistake twice by placing my trust in another man.