The Call That Changed Everything
Emily stood by the window, peering into the dark outline of the garden.
*The streetlights are out again. Its already ten, and Sophie still isnt home. If only she knew how worried I am. Shes only fourteen. Yet shes got her dad wrapped around her little fingerhe believes every word she says, hands her money whenever she asks.*
The gate slammed, and familiar footsteps echoed under the archway. *Sophie*, Emily thought, relieved, quickly stepping back from the windowif her daughter spotted her, thered be no avoiding a row.
“Mum, Im home!” Sophie shouted from the doorway. “Got anything to eat?”
“Dont you think a hello would be nice first?” Emily moved to kiss her cheek, but Sophie dodged, darting into her room.
“Im starving! I dont have time for this!”
“Where on earth are you rushing off to at this hour? Its past ten!” Emilys stomach twistedanother argument was brewing.
“Here we go again,” Sophie muttered just loud enough for her to hear. “Im practically fifteen, Im not a kid!”
She yanked clothes from her wardrobe, tossing them onto the floor, hunting for the right dress. Emily watched helplessly.
*How do I get through to her? How do I make her stop?*
“Why are you just standing there like a statue?” Sophie snapped. “Im going clubbing with the girls. Its Halloween, everyones celebratingwhy shouldnt I?”
She held up the dressshort, backless, trimmed with red ruffles.
“Sophie, where did you get that? Its inappropriate. 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.”
She pulled out a pair of red stilettos.
“Perfect, right?” She strutted past Emily, swaying her hips. “Toms going to lose his mind when he sees me.”
“Youre not going,” Emily said quietly.
“What?!” Sophie spun around.
“You heard me. And no, Im not asking for your opinion. Look at youyoure a mess! Your dad left you, and no ones bothered picking up the pieces since!”
“A mess?” Sophie savoured the insult.
Emily snapped. Her hand flewa sharp slap echoed before she stormed out, slamming the door behind her. Sophies shrieks followed.
“You cow! I hate you! Youll regret this!”
Emily locked herself in the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face. She caught her reflection in the mirrorbitter laughter escaped her.
*A mess. Really? Ive got a job I love, a cosy flat, and Im not exactly hard to look at. But Sophie? Its like she became a stranger at twelve. Backchat, sneaking fagseverything I say is a battle. The vicar said its pride. Maybe hes right. The therapist gave advice, but none of it helps. Every day, we drift further apart. Like Im her enemy, not her mum. If only she knew how much I love her, how my heart aches for her. I hit her. What do I do now? Dont cry. Dont you dare cry.*
She opened the doorSophie was on the phone, excited.
*”Toms going to be there I promised him”*
*Tom. I remember him in Year 3tiny, bug-eyed, like a tadpole. Now hes all grown up, a proper heartthrob. No wonder the girls fancy him. And he likes my Sophie. Cant blame himshes beautiful.*
With a sigh, Emily locked the front door and hid the keys. *No clubbing tonight. Tom can wait. And Halloween? All that devil nonsenseno good ever comes of it.*
She tiptoed toward her room, but Sophie burst into the hallway.
“Ill never forgive you! Ill sue you!” Her face twisted with hatred. “Ill jump out the window if I have to! Toms waitingI promised him!”
“If Tom really loves you, hell wait as long as it takes,” Emily said softly, studying her daughters face. *My poor girl. How do I help you?*
“Stop staring, you old hag!” Sophie screamed. “Im calling Dadhell take me himself!”
“Go ahead,” Emily said. “But youre not leaving this house tonight. The doors locked.”
Sophie went eerily still. “Fine. Youll regret this.”
Emily listened as Sophie kicked off her heels, then resumed her phone callsinister giggles punctuating the conversation.
*No need to go out. Halloweens come to us.* Emily wiped her tears, swallowed a sleeping pill. *Maybe tomorrow will be better.*
The alarm blared. Rubbing sleep from her eyes, Emily washed up and started breakfast. Long grudges werent her styleSophie usually cooled off by morning.
Not this time.
Sophie marched past the breakfast table, face like stone, snatched her birth certificate, and left.
All day, Emily pushed thoughts of their fight aside. But leaving work, her mind raced: *Is Sophie okay? Has she forgiven me? What do I say? Should I apologise for the slap? My hearts been playing uplast ECG wasnt great. Ill get her favourite eclairs. Well have tea, make up. Just hang in there.*
She bought the pastries, calling out as she entered: “Love! Got your favourites! Truce?”
Silence.
Sophie wasnt home. The sandwiches from breakfast sat untouched.
*Better a bad peace than a good quarrel.* Emily grabbed her phonejust as it rang. An unknown number.
“Emily Whitmore?” A cold female voice. “Valerie Carter. Social Services. Your daughters reported abuse. Weve placed her in emergency housing pending court.”
“WHAT?!”
“Court will decide on terminating your parental rights.”
“You cant!”
“We can. And we will. See you in court.”
Emily collapsed into sobs.
After the call, Emily scrambled for help. A tired-sounding solicitor warned: “If theyve got witnesses, youll lose.”
She called Sophies father.
“You hit her,” he said flatly. “Shouldve let her go clubbing. Tom was there.”
“Shes fourteen! Clubs serve alcoholwhat if someone offered her drugs?!”
“Dont be daft. They let anyone in with cash*my* cash.”
“Then help me pay the solicitor!”
“No. Margot and I will take Sophie once you lose her.”
Emilys heart pounded. She took out a loan against her flatextortionate interest, but she had no choice.
A week later, Sophie stared out the car window as it passed her street. She spotted Emilyeyes swollen, shoulders slumped. Pity flickered, then died.
The neighbours had testified: *”The girl cried often. Emily staggered home drunk.”* Sophie knew it was exhaustionbut stayed silent.
Tom had ghosted her. “You betrayed your mumyoud betray me too.”
Court day came. Emily swayed, clutching her chest.
“Even in court, pissed,” a neighbour sneered.
Two hours later, it was over. The judge ruled against Emily.
As the gavel fell, Emily crumpled. The ambulance was too late.
That evening, Valerie visited Sophie with persimmons. “Youll love the childrens home. Maybe a new family will adopt you.”
“I DONT WANT A NEW FAMILY! I WANT MY MUM!”
Valerie sighed. “You scared her to death.”
Sophies world shattered.
Later, a scream. Shattering glass.
Sophie survivedbut never walked again.
Her fathers new wife refused to take her. The bank demanded repayment of Emilys loan.
Sometimes, Tom visits.
But mostly, Sophie stares at wallswondering if Halloween was worth it.
