The Call That Changed Everything
Emma stood by the window, peering into the dark outline of the garden.
The streetlights are out again. Its already ten, and Sophies still not home. If only she knew how worried I am. Shes only fourteen. And yet shes got her dad wrapped around her little fingerhe believes every word she says and hands her money whenever she asks.
The gate slammed, and the familiar rhythm of footsteps echoed in the alley. Sophie, Emma thought, stepping back from the windowGod forbid her daughter spotted her watching, or thered be another shouting match.
Mum, Im home! Sophie called from the doorway.
Is there anything to eat?
No hello first? Emma tried to kiss her daughters cheek, but Sophie dodged, darting into her room. Im starving! I havent got time for this!
Where are you rushing off to at this hour? Its ten oclock at night, Emma said, already bracing for another argument.
Here we go again, Sophie muttered under her breath, loud enough to be heard. Im almost fifteen! Im not a child anymore!
She began tossing clothes from her wardrobe, searching for the right dress. Emma watched helplessly.
*What do I even say? How do I stop her?*
Why are you just standing there like a statue? Sophie snapped. Im going to a club with the girls. Its Halloweeneveryones celebrating. Am I supposed to miss out?
She pulled out a dressshort, backless, trimmed with red ruffles.
Sophie, where did you get that? Its inappropriate. Do you even know who wears things like that?
Dont care, dont want to know! Bought it on sale for Halloween. Dad gave me the money.
Sophie yanked out a pair of red stilettos.
Brilliant, right? She slipped into the outfit, swaying her hips as she strutted in front of her mother. Toms going to lose his mind when he sees me.
Youre not going anywhere, Emma said quietly.
Sophie whirled around. What?!
You heard me. Since when do you get to make the rules? Look at yourself! Youre embarrassing! Your father left, and no ones wanted you since!
Embarrassing! Sophie repeated, savoring the cruelty of the word.
Emma spun like a spring, slapped her daughter hard across the cheek, then stormed out, slamming the door behind her. A wail of fury erupted from the room.
You witch! I hate you! Youll regret this! Sophie shrieked like a wounded animal.
Emma marched into the bathroom, turned on the cold tap, and splashed water on her face. Staring at her reflection, she gave a bitter smile.
*Embarrassing. As if I havent done alright for myself. A job I love, a nice flat, and Im not exactly hard to look at. But with Sophie? We might as well be speaking different languages. Ever since she turned twelve, its like shes a stranger. Backchat, sneaking cigaretteseverything I say is met with defiance. I even spoke to the vicar, and he said its all pride. Maybe hes right. But what do I do? The therapist gave advice, but none of it worked. Every day, we drift further apart. Like Im her enemy, not her mother. If only she knew how much I love her, how my heart aches for her. And now Ive hit her. What do I do next? Dont cry. Just dont cry.*
She opened the door and listenedSophie was on the phone, talking excitedly.
*Toms going to be there. I promised him Id come*
*Tom I remember him in Year 3scrawny, big-eyed, like a tadpole. Now hes practically Prince Charming. No wonder half the girls fancy him. And he chose my Sophie. Not surprisingshes beautiful.*
Emma sighed, locked the front door from the inside, and hid the key.
*Shes not going out tonight. Not a chance. Tom can wait. And Halloweenits all devilry anyway.*
She tiptoed toward her room, but Sophie, hearing her footsteps, bolted into the hallway.
Ill never forgive you for this! Ill sue you! she screamed, her face twisted with hate. Ill jump out the window if I have to, but Im leaving! You dont understand love! Hes waiting for me!
If Tom really loves you, hell wait as long as it takes, Emma said, looking into her daughters eyes. *My poor girl. How do I help you?*
Stop staring at me, you ugly cow! Sophie shouted. Ill call Dadhell take me to the club himself!
Go ahead, Emma said. But youre not leaving this house. The doors locked.
Sophie suddenly went still. Fine. Youll regret this.
Emma heard Sophie kick off her heels, then resume her hushed phone call. A sinister laugh cut through the air.
*No need to go out. Halloweens come to us.* Emma wiped her tears, swallowed a sleeping pill. *Maybe tomorrow will be better.*
The alarm blared. Shaking off the remnants of sleep, Emma washed up and started breakfast. She wasnt one for grudges, and Sophie usually cooled off by morning.
But not today.
Sophie brushed past the breakfast table, stone-faced, dressed quickly, and grabbed her birth certificate.
All day, Emma pushed thoughts of their fight asideuntil she left work, when nothing else filled her mind.
*Hows Sophie? Has she forgiven me? What do I even say? Should I apologize for the slap? Or would that make it worse? If only she knew how much her words hurt. My hearts been achingthe last ECG wasnt great. Ill get home, well have tea and biscuits, make up, and itll all be fine. Just hang in there.*
She exhaled, stopped at the bakery, and bought Sophies favourite éclairs.
Soph! I got your favourite cakes! Lets make up! she called as she stepped inside.
Silence.
*Odd.* Emma walked into the kitchen. Sophie wasnt there. The sandwiches shed made that morning sat untouched.
*Better a bad peace than a good quarrel,* she thought, pulling out her phone.
She was dialling Sophies number when it rangan unknown caller.
Emma Whitmore? A womans voice, sharp and metallic.
Valerie Harper. Social Services. Weve received a complaint from your daughter regarding your abusive behaviour. As a result, weve removed her from school.
Emma froze. What? II dont understand.
Your daughter is currently in emergency foster care pending a court decision.
What court decision?!
Termination of your parental rights.
Me? On what grounds?
You assaulted your child yesterday. Or have you forgotten? Are you drunk right now?
How dare you! Emma gasped, her chest tightening.
We dare. We protect children from mothers like you. See you in court.
Where is she? Give me the address! Emma shrieked, but the line went dead.
After hanging up, Valerie Harper headed to the foster home. Knocking on Sophies door, she stepped inside.
Brought you something. She placed a pack of Snickers on the table. For the emotional distress. But dont worryshell pay for this. People like her shouldnt be allowed near children.
Sophie muted the TV. Whatll happen to her?
Shell lose custody.
Sophie faltered. Theres going to be a trial?
Of course. You said she abused you.
Obviously! Sophie lifted her chin. She wouldnt let me go out on Halloween. Tom was waiting! And she called my dress trashy. Shes a failurethats why Dad left her. I grew up without a father because she couldnt handle him cheating. Who doesnt cheat these days?
Valerie said nothing. She, too, was divorcedher husband left when she couldnt conceive.
Emma called everyone she knew, but no one had experience with social services. A friend gave her a lawyers number. His voice was weary.
This is serious, he said. What are they accusing you of?
Abuse, she choked out.
If your daughter filed a report and they find witnesses, youll lose.
What can I do?
Fight. But Im expensive.
Ill find the money!
She called Sophies father.
After a long silence, he spoke. This is your fault. You shouldnt have hit her. And you shouldve let her go out
