Zinnia walks into the kitchen in her new school uniform. The one we bought yesterday at Target. Navy blue polo. Khaki pants.
“How do I look?” she asks, spinning around.
“Perfect,” I tell her. “You look perfect.”
“I look like a nerd.”
“Nerds are smart,” Jax adds. “They get fancy careers and make good decisions.”
She grins at him. “Or they play video games all day and know random facts that literally gets them nowhere in life.”
“You ready?” I ask, watching Jax’s eyebrows raise. I widen my eyes at him.
Zinnia shrugs. “I guess. Are you walking me in?”
“Of course. I have the papers filled out. Hopefully we qualify for free lunch.”
Jax gives me a look, and then I’m out the door.
We drive to the elementary school. It’s only ten minutes away, which is nice in case of emergencies.
I walk her to the front office, get her checked in, and meet her teacher.
“She’ll be fine,” the teacher assures me. “We’ve had lots of transfer students lately. She’ll adjust quickly.”
Zinnia hugs me goodbye. “See you after school.”
“See you after school.”
I watch her walk down the hallway with the teacher and disappear around the corner.
And I stand there feeling like I just lost a piece of myself.
I walk back to my car and sit in the driver’s seat for five minutes, staring at the school before I can start the engine.
She’s at school. She’s safe. She’s okay. Dad’s in prison. He’s not coming out.
I drive back to the house and check my phone.
Marcus texted an hour ago.
Can you come by the office? Need to prep for the hearing.
Me: What time?
Marcus: Eleven.
Me: I’ll be there.
I show up at Marcus’s office at ten fifty.
He’s waiting in the conference room with folders spread across the table.
“Tigerlily. Thanks for coming. Have a seat.”
I sit and try to calm my racing heart.
“So the hearing is in one week. The judge will ask about your living situation, your income, your support system. I need you to be prepared for some difficult questions.”
