Once we are all in position, we start the countdown. “Five! Four! Three! Two! One! Open your eyes!”
Their eyes pop open, and they all stand there, taking in what they are seeing for a moment before Lochlan looks up at us. “We are going to Disney?”
“Yeah, bud, go to whichever bag has your favorite character on it,” Silas tells them, beckoning Vivi over with his finger since he’s behind her bag.
“Now, Arden, can you read what the shirt says? Sound out the words,” I encourage.
He looks at the shirt for a moment and starts sounding the words out. I kneel down next to him so I can help him easier. “Sssee yoouu tu-mah-row,” he sounds out slowly.
“Okay, now what does it say?” I probe.
“See you tomorrow?” he asks, looking between the shirt and me.
“I’m going to see Buzz Lightyear tomorrow?” he asks excitedly.
“That’s right, bud! Tomorrow we will see Buzz, Mickey, Elsa, and Belle! We’re going to Disney!” I exclaim.
Arden, Lochlan, and Vivian all start screaming and jumping around, but Katie looks absolutely devastated and starts crying. She runs out of the dining room and throws herself on the couch, burying her face in the cushion.
Bodie and I are right behind her. When I make it to the couch, I pick her up so she’s sitting across my lap. “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”
“I don’t want to stay here alone. It’ll be scary!” She sobs on my shoulder.
I look up at an equally confused Bodie. “Katie, baby, why do you think we would leave you here?”
She wipes her face and looks down at her hands. “When mommy would go on fun trips, I had to stay at home. I was always alone. She said I had school and I had been bad so I couldn’t go to fun places. I promise I’ll be good, please don’t leave me!” She’s crying so hard at this point.
I pull her in for a tight hug and kiss the top of her head. “Katie, look at me, sweet girl.”
I softly place my hand under her chin to lift her face to mine. “We will never, ever leave you home alone. It doesn’t matter where we go. If we take trips, you will be with us. We love you and would never leave you behind. I promise you.” Every time we find out something new, I end up hating that bitch even more.Who the fuck leaves a fucking five year old at home alone for god knows long?
She sniffles softly. “I get to go, too? Really?”
“Yes, sweetie. You’re coming too. Do you want to come see your shirt and stuff?” Bodie asks, reaching for her hand.
She gently takes his hand and follows him back to the dining room. As soon as she’s out of ear shot, I dial Will’s number on my phone. He will be here later tonight, but I’m fucking livid and don’t want to wait.
He answers by the third ring. “Hello? Everything okay, Isla?”
“Nope, not at all. Katie had a breakdown when we told the kids about the Disney trip. Want to know why?” I ask.
I can hear him sigh. “I don’t think I really do, but let’s hear it.”
“That bitch of a mother would leave her young child at home alone when she would go on trips. She would tell her daughter that she was bad and didn’t deserve to go do fun things. Who knows how many times this happened, or for how long Katie was left alone each time?” I’m seething and pacing around the living room by this point.
“God, I don't understand how CPS wasn’t called sooner. How did so many people miss these red flags? I’m going to have the firm's private investigator dig around and see if we can find any information about these trips and see if we can prove she was leaving Katie at home alone. I’ll call him as soon as we get off the phone so he can start right away.” I can hear him rustling through papers, I’m guessing looking for the number.
“Have we located any family for her?” I honestly don’t want to know the answer. I don’t think I want to give her up. That little girl has wormed her way into our hearts so fast.
“No, all the leads we have found point to dead ends, literally. We’ve had a couple genetic hits, but everyone so far is deceased.” He doesn’t sound sad about that either.
“Good. I’m going to get back to the others. I’ll see you later. Thanks, Will.”
“Bye, Isla, you’re welcome. See you later! ”
I hang up the phone and head back to the dining room. Someone has my food laid out for me, and I dive right in since it’s been a whole two hours since I’ve eaten which means the twins think they are starving to death. Or at least, I’m going to blame the fact I’m eating constantly on the need to feed three.
Dinner is a rowdy affair since the kids are all hyped up and excited. Katie seems to be doing a lot better and happy now that she knows she’s not being left behind. After we get the kids fed and bathed, we get them settled down and asleep.
