Sophie looked stricken. “But you’re so small. Aren’t you scared?”
“Sometimes. But I know where to hide.”
David ran a hand through his hair, looking deeply disturbed. “Emily, how did you get into the school today?”
“Through a hole in the fence. I know I shouldn’t have. But I watch every day. I just wanted to see what it was like inside. To pretend I was a student.”
“You watch every day?”
“Yes. I like to imagine I’m learning with them.”
Sophie placed her hand on Emily’s. “Daddy, can she come study with me? Can’t she?”
David sighed, a sad smile touching his lips. “It’s not that simple, sweetie.” He looked at Emily. “Would you like to go to school there?”
“More than anything in the world,” Emily replied.
When the meal ended, Emily wiped her mouth carefully. “Thank you,” she said, looking David in the eye. “That was the best meal I’ve ever had.”
“It was my pleasure.”
Emily slid out of the booth. “I have to go now. Before it gets dark.”
“Do you really?” Sophie asked.
“Maybe I’ll see you again,” Emily said softly. She walked out of the diner, a tiny figure disappearing into the bustling city crowd. David watched her go, a heavy feeling settling in his chest.
That evening, the Miller household was quieter than usual. David had come home early, cancelling his meetings. Over a dinner of spaghetti that he and Sophie cooked together, the conversation inevitably turned to Emily.
“Daddy, where do you think she is right now?” Sophie asked, playing with her food. “Is she cold?”
“Probably,” David admitted, his heart aching.
“It’s not fair,” Sophie said, slamming her fork down. “We have empty rooms. We have food. She has nothing. Mom would have helped her.”
The mention of his late wife, Claire, struck David hard. Sophie was right. Claire would have already been in the car, searching.
“You’re right, Sophie,” David said. “We have to do something.”
“Can we find her tomorrow? Please?”
“We’ll try.”
David spent that night researching child protective services, foster care laws, and adoption procedures. He couldn’t sleep, haunted by the image of Emily’s intelligent eyes and dirty feet.
The search began the next morning. David took the day off. He and Sophie drove through the neighborhood near the school, scanning parks and alleys. Hours passed. Doubt began to creep in. But David remembered Emily mentioning she watched the school “every day.”
He parked near St. Thomas and began a foot search of the surrounding alleys. Finally, behind a bakery, huddled between cardboard boxes, he found a small shape.
“Emily?” he called softly.
She bolted upright, eyes wide with terror. Then recognition dawned. “Mr. Miller?”
“I was looking for you,” David said, crouching down. “Sophie and I were worried.”
“Worried? Why?”
“Because we care. Emily… we want you to come stay with us. Just for a while. A warm bed, food, safety.”
Emily eyed him with deep suspicion. “Why? Adults always change their minds.”
“I can’t promise forever right now,” David said honestly. “But I promise that for as long as you are with us, you will be safe. You can bring your books.”
That clinched it. Emily gathered her backpack. “Okay.”…
