I placed both hands on her shoulders. “Sometimes adults make decisions you will not understand yet. I promise I will fix this.”
Her lips wobbled. Her eyes turned bright red. She tried to blink the tears away, but they fell faster. I pulled her into my arms. She clung to me, shaking her head as if she could undo the day by refusing to accept it.
“They belong here,” she whispered. “With me.”
“I know,” I said again.
I held her until her breathing leveled. She finally let go and walked into class, wiping her face with the back of her hand. She kept her head down the entire time.
I hoped my day would continue without further interruptions, though I found myself checking my phone every few minutes. I wanted answers, but I also wanted space to think before contacting Adeline again. The call
