He find his daughter locked in a dog cage—then her warning about the pool reveals someone is still inside
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Chapter 24 / 27
Chapter 24 - Emily’s anger at me
For the first year, Emily was more openly angry at me than at Rachel.
That hurt.
Then I understood.
I was safe enough to be angry at.
One night she said:
“You left me.”
“I went to work.”
“You left.”
“Yes.”
“You said Rachel was safe.”
“Yes.”
“She wasn’t.”
“No.”
“You were wrong.”
“Yes.”
She threw a pillow at the wall.
“I hate your job.”
I almost defended myself.
Instead:
“I understand.”
“I hate your suitcase.”
“Okay.”
“I hate Atlanta.”
“That city is taking an unfair amount of blame.”
She did not laugh.
Too soon.
I changed my travel schedule.
Not to zero.
I still had a career.
But I stopped taking five-night trips when alternatives existed.
My sister Karen stayed with Emily during necessary travel.
May you like
Eventually Emily attended sleepovers again.
Trust returned in pieces.
