Page 53 of Here With Me

Meredith sat, placing her over-the-shoulder bag on the floor, and took a drink of her water. “Honestly? It’s nice to see you settling in. The clock on the table has me mystified though.”

Sadie hugged a throw pillow as she settled in next to the armrest of the sofa. “That’s part of Lottie’s history project. She’s determined to see if she can get it working again. The number of YouTube videos we’ve watched…”

“Tell me how you’re settling in after the move.” Meredith opened her bag and pulled out a manila folder.

Leaning back, Sadie relaxed as much as she could “Lottie and I are comfortable here. Eventually I’d like to purchase our own place, but being so close to my parents and the store has its perks. And Lottie has made friends with a little girl, Lucy, who lives not far from here.”

Sadie set her water down, her stomach in knots. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but something wasn’t right.

“Your parents live across the street? Lottie mentioned being able to visit regularly.” Meredith glanced at the folder in her lap, but sipped her water, hiding any reaction Sadie could decipher.

“They do. And Lottie does check in over there often. My mom always has a cookie for her. Plus she’s taking piano lessons from my mom, so she goes there to practice.”

Meredith set her glass on the table. “Your setup is fantastic. This is just what Jeremy wanted for Lottie.”

Meredith had met with Jeremy before he passed, when he and Sadie had started the adoption process. Over time, Sadie had been so thankful for Meredith in their life, keeping them focused and the process moving forward.

“He would have. But I sense a but from you. What’s up?”

Meredith opened the folder on her lap and pulled out an official-looking document and handed it to Sadie. “Doris and Patrick have contested the adoption and petitioned for custody.”

Words swam on the pages. Sadie blinked, trying, and failing, to clear her vision. Contest the adoption? Doris had threatened this. But why now? Because Sadie had missed one phone call? Because Lottie came home with a stomach virus? Because David had been at the front door when Lottie came home?

“What can I do?” Sadie laid the paper in her lap. She’d have to read it later. Her throat tightened and she picked up her water glass, hoping maybe a sip would ease the tightness in her throat. It didn’t.

“What you’re doing—you have a steady job, a great apartment, and family surrounding you. You have the father’s wishes behind you. You have Lottie in school, where she’s thriving. She’s participating in piano and ballet. I talked to the school today, and they said you requested Lottie’s grades be sent in before the court date. You have crossed every t, dotted every i. I can’t imagine the court not ruling in your favor. It’s unfortunate that Doris and Patrick would contest, but I think you can work through it. Make sure your lawyer knows.”

“What if?—”

Meredith squeezed Sadie’s hand. “Don’t go there. You are prepared. Lottie loves you.”

Sadie blinked quickly, but the tears ran down her cheeks. “And I love her. I can’t lose her.”

Lottie burst in the front door huffing, like she’d raced up the stairs. She threw her backpack on the floor and grumbled a bunch of unintelligible words. Then she kicked off her shoes and slammed the front door. “I hate it here. I wish we never moved here.”

Sadie stood and rushed to the kitchen, blinking to clear her eyes as Lottie yanked open the refrigerator and grabbed the milk. Sadie took the milk from her and poured her a glass. Then she knelt in front of Lottie. “Hey. What happened?”

Lottie sniffed and chugged her milk. Then placed the glass in the sink with a bang. Sadie stood as Lottie stormed out of the kitchen. “Lucy was sick today. Tommy said my clock project was stupid and that there was no clock in the square. Jack said I made up the clock and that a paper on Otis would be way better. But I want to be different. Then I got my spelling test back. I missed ‘frightened.’ I know how to spell ‘frightened.’”

Sadie followed her daughter as she headed toward her room. Lottie crossed the threshold and spun around. Her faced turned red as she hiccupped. “F-R-I-G-H-T-N-E-D.”

The door slammed, echoing through the quiet apartment. It wouldn’t do to tell Lottie she’d left out an e and really hadn’t spelled the word correctly. The storm had finally hit, all the volatile emotions colliding. A tiny meow sounded from within the bedroom. Maybe Cuatro could calm her down.

Meredith cleared her throat, and Sadie hung her head, rubbing her forehead. Of course the social worker was here to see this. And no, Lottie hadn’t made her bed today.

Sadie inhaled and exhaled before turning to face the ever-professional social worker. “I’m so sorry about that.”

Meredith stepped forward. “You handled that like a champ. Kids have bad days. Do you mind if I talk to her?”

A sad chuckle escaped. “As long as you don’t correct her spelling.”

Meredith knocked on the door. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

Lottie hollered an unfriendly, “Go away!” To which Meredith opened the door and peeped her head in. The nine-year-old brightened at the silly face and strange voice Meredith used as she stepped in the room.

Certain Lottie was in good hands, Sadie slipped back to the sofa to look at the paperwork.

She skimmed the words. Doris and Patrick wanted custody, claiming Sadie wasn’t a disciplinarian and that she was unorganized.

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