“That’s fine,” Catherine said kindly. “She won’t need any of these old things. I have everything she could ever want.”
Those words stabbed Angela’s heart.
“But what about my teddy bear?” Sonia asked suddenly.
It was the worn-out bear Vincent had bought for her when she was a baby.
Catherine frowned. “Oh, sweetheart. I’ll get you better toys. You don’t need that old thing.”
“But it’s for my daddy,” Sonia said, hugging the teddy bear tightly.
Angela’s voice trembled. “She can keep it. It’s important to her.”
Catherine smiled thinly. “Of course. If it helps her adjust.”
Then she stretched out her hand. “Are you ready, Sonia?”
Sonia’s eyes filled with fear. “Mama, I changed my mind. Please don’t make me go.”
Angela knelt down, tears streaming down her face. “Baby, I need you to be very brave for Mama. Okay? You’re going to have a wonderful life with Miss Catherine. You’ll go to school, have toys, pretty clothes.”
“But I’ll miss you,” Sonia sobbed.
“I’ll miss you too, my love,” Angela whispered. “Every single day. But remember this—Mama loves you more than all the stars in the sky. Can you remember that?”
“I love you more than all the stars in the sky too, Mama,” Sonia cried.
Angela kissed her forehead and stood up quickly before she lost her courage.
“Take good care of her,” she told Catherine, her voice shaking. “She’s the most precious thing in the world.”
“I will,” Catherine promised, taking Sonia’s tiny hand.
Sonia looked back one last time. “Mama, are you sure I can’t stay?”
Angela wanted to scream, “Yes!” But instead, she said softly, “Go on, baby. Be good for Miss Catherine.”
Catherine lifted Sonia into her arms and walked toward the car. Sonia reached back, crying, “Mama, Mama.”
Angela followed them outside, tears falling uncontrollably.
Catherine placed Sonia in the back seat and buckled her in.
Through the window, Sonia pressed her small hand against the glass. Angela pressed hers on the other side as if she could still hold her.
“I love you, Sonia,” she whispered.
