The Call That Changed Everything
Emily stood by the window, peering into the dark outline of their garden.
“Still no lights on. Its already ten, and Sophie isnt home. If only she knew how worried I am. Shes only fourteen. Yet she twists her father around her little finger like a grown woman, and he believes every word she says, handing her money whenever she asks.”
The gate slammed, and familiar footsteps echoed through the archway. “Sophie,” Emily thought, relieved, stepping back from the windowGod forbid her daughter spotted her watching, or thered be shouting for sure.
“Mum, Im home!” Sophie called from the doorway.
“Any food?”
“No hello first?” Emily moved to kiss her daughters cheek, but Sophie dodged, darting into her room. “Im starving! I dont have time for this!”
“And where exactly are you rushing off to at this hour? Its ten oclock,” Emily said, her nerves tightening, sensing another argument brewing.
“Here we go again,” Sophie muttered just loud enough to be heard. “Im practically fifteen! Im not a child!”
She began tossing clothes from her wardrobe onto the floor, searching for the right dress. Emily watched helplessly.
*Where are the right words? How do I stop her?* she thought frantically.
“What are you standing there for? Like a statue?” Sophie snapped. “Im going clubbing with the girls. Its Halloweeneveryones celebrating! Why shouldnt I?”
She pulled out a dressshort, backless, trimmed with red ruffles.
“Sophie, where did you get that? Its vulgar. Do you know what kind of girls wear things like that?”
“I dont care! I bought it on sale for Halloween. Dad gave me the money.”
Sophie yanked out a pair of red stilettos.
“Amazing, right?” She slipped into the outfit and strutted past her mother, swaying her hips. “Toms going to lose his mind when he sees me.”
“Sophie, youre not going,” Emily said quietly.
“What?!” Sophie whirled around.
“Who do you think you are, telling me what to do? Look at yourself! Youre a failure! Dad left *you*, and no ones bothered to pick you up since!”
“*Failure*,” she repeated, savoring the cruel word.
Emily spun like a spring, slapped her daughter hard across the face, then stormed out, slamming the door behind her. A wail erupted from the room.
“You witch! I hate you! Youll pay for this!” Sophie shrieked like a wounded animal.
Emily locked herself in the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face. Staring into the mirror, she gave a bitter smile. *Failure. Ive done well for myselfa job I love, a cosy flat, looks that havent faded. But with Sophie, its like speaking different languages. Ever since she turned twelve, its like shes a stranger. Backchat, smokingeverything I say, she fights me on it. I spoke to the vicar, and he said its pride. Maybe hes right. But what do I do? The therapist gave advice, but none of it works. Every day, we grow further apart. As if Im her enemy, not her mother. If only she knew how much I love her. And now Ive hit herwhat do I do?*
She opened the door and listenedSophie was on the phone, excited. “Toms going to be there”
*Tom. I remember him in Year 3a little tadpole of a boy. Now hes all grown up, handsome. No wonder the girls swoon. And he likes my Sophie. Who wouldnt? Shes beautiful.*
Emily sighed, locked the front door, and hid the keys. *Shes not going out tonight. No way. Tom will survive. And this Halloween nonsenseall that devilry.*
She tiptoed towards her room, but Sophie heard her.
“Ill never forgive you for this! Ill sue you!” Sophie screamed, face twisted with hate. “Ill jump out the window if I have to! Toms waiting for me! I promised him!”
“If Tom really cares, hell wait as long as it takes,” Emily said softly, searching her daughters face. *My poor girl. How do I help you?*
“Stop staring, you old cow!” Sophie yelled. “Ill call Dadhell take me himself!”
“Go ahead,” Emily said evenly. “But youre not leaving this house tonight. The doors locked.”
“Oh, really?” Sophie suddenly went still. “Youll regret this.”
Emily heard the stilettos clatter to the floor, then Sophies hushed, ominous laughter. *No need to go anywhere. Halloweens come to us.*
She wiped her tears, took a sleeping pill, and closed her eyes.
***
The alarm blared. Emily rubbed the sleep from her eyes, washed up, and started breakfast. Long grudges werent her style, and Sophie usually bounced back by morning.
But not today. Sophie marched past the table, stone-faced, grabbed her birth certificate, and left.
All day, Emily pushed thoughts of their fight asideuntil leaving work, when it consumed her. *How is Sophie? Has she forgiven me? What do I say? Should I apologise for the slap? But her words hurt too. My hearts been achinglast ECG wasnt good. When I get home, well have tea and biscuits, make up, and everything will be fine. Just hold on.*
Relieved, she stopped at the bakery for Sophies favourite eclairs.
“Sophie! I got your favourite! Truce?” Emily called as she walked in.
Silence.
Strange. The sandwiches from breakfast sat untouched.
*Better a bad peace than a good quarrel.* She dialled Sophies numberthen her own phone rang. Unknown caller.
“Emily Carter?” A womans metallic voice. “Valerie Atkins, Social Services. Your daughter filed a report of abuse. Weve taken her into emergency care.”
“What?!” Emily froze.
“Due to concerns for her safety, shes at a childrens centre pending court proceedings.”
“Court?!”
“To revoke your parental rights.”
“Youre joking!”
“You struck your child. Or have you forgotten?”
“How dare you!” Emily gasped.
“We dare. You violated her rights. We protect children from mothers like you.”
“Where is she?!”
The line went dead.
***
Valerie Atkins arrived at the centre. Sophie hadnt moved from bed all day, binge-watching dramas.
“Brought you something.” Valerie set down a Snickers. “Compensation for emotional distress. Dont worryshell pay. Let this be a lesson.”
“What happens to them?” Sophie muted the TV.
“They lose their kids.”
“Good! No one hits children. Did you see the photo of my cheek? Lucky there wasnt a bruise.”
“A bruise wouldve helped your case. But even this will sway the judge.”
“Theres really going to be a trial?” Sophie faltered.
“Of course. You signed the complaint.”
“Obviously!” Sophie jutted her chin. “She ruined Halloween! Tom was waiting! And my dressshe called it tacky. Shes a failure. Dad left *her*, not me. She couldnt handle him cheating. Who doesnt cheat these days?”
Valerie said nothing. Her own husband had leftfor a woman who could give him children.
***
Emily scrambled for help. A friend recommended a solicitor. His voice was weary.
“If your daughter testified and they find witnesses, youll lose.”
“What do I do?”
“Fight. But Im expensive.”
She called Sophies father.
“You shouldnt have hit her,” he said flatly. “Let her go clubbingTom was there.”
“Clubs serve alcohol! And drugs! Shes underage!”
“Dont be naive. Money gets you in, and I gave her money.”
“Then help me pay the solicitor!”
“Why should I? Youre a terrible mother. Once you lose custody, Margot and I will take Sophie.”
“Margots only seven years older than her!”
“At least she wont slap her.” Click.
***
Emily took out a loanextortionate interest, but she had no choice. She hired the solicitor.
***
Sophie had been at the centre a week. The food was good, the rules lax, but boredom set in.
One morning, driving past her old street, she spotted Emilypale, tear-streaked, aged. Pity flickered, then vanished.
Neighbours had testified against Emily. *”The girl often cried. And weve seen the mother staggeringclearly drunk.”* Sophie knew it was exhaustion but stayed silent.
Tom had stopped answering her calls. “If youd betray your mum,
