“Daddy, can we go to the park today?” she asked him one afternoon.
“Of course, princess. Anything you want.”
Watching them was beautiful. They belonged together.
A custody case worker, Mrs. Lindstrom, came to my apartment to interview all of us.
“How has she adjusted to staying with you?” she asked.
“Really well,” I replied. “She sleeps through the night. The only time she seems upset is when she asks about her mother.”
“And how often is that?”
“Less and less.”
After speaking with all of us, Mrs. Lindstrom also spoke to my niece alone. Later, my niece told me, “She asked me if I was scared at the airport. I said yes. But I told her I’m not scared anymore because you and Daddy take care of me.”
On Friday of week two, Colton’s lawyer called.
“We got the airport footage. It’s even better than we hoped.”
The video showed Maribel, my parents, and the child arriving together. Then Maribel and my parents boarding the plane while the little girl stood alone. The child remained alone for 28 minutes. A woman in the waiting area even approached her, concerned.
“This is powerful,” the lawyer said. “This will win the case.”
That weekend we took my niece to the zoo. She held both our hands, pointing at animals excitedly.
“Aunt Raylene, look! The baby elephant is staying close to its mommy.”
“That’s right,” I said. “Baby animals need their parents to keep them safe.”
“Like how you and Daddy keep me safe.”
“Exactly like that,” I said.
Colton squeezed my hand, grateful. For the first time in months, I felt part of something good.
On Sunday night, Colton and I were planning for the custody hearing when my phone buzzed. A text from Maribel.
“Flight lands tomorrow at 6:00. I’ll be there by 8:00 to pick her up.”
The next morning, I dressed my niece in her favorite dress and did her hair. She was excited, but not like I expected.
“Will I still see you and Daddy?” she asked.
“We’ll figure it out,” I said. “Don’t worry.”
At exactly 7:30 p.m., someone knocked on my door. Colton was already there. So was Mrs. Lindstrom.
I opened the door to see Maribel. Tan, refreshed, smiling. The smile disappeared when she saw Colton.
“What is he doing here?”
