Chapter 2: Everything Sophie Had Lost
The next morning Daniel drove Sophie to breakfast.
It was the first meal they had shared alone in almost a year.
He noticed how carefully she folded her napkin before eating.
"Why are you doing that?" he asked.
She smiled nervously.
"So I can take it home if Grandma says we run out again."
His heart broke.
As they talked, the truth came out piece by piece.
Grandma said new shoes were too expensive.
Grandpa sold Daniel's old baseball glove because "nobody used it."
Gymnastics ended after only one season because there "wasn't enough money."
Christmas presents had become secondhand donations.
Meanwhile, Daniel had believed his daughter was living comfortably.
After breakfast they visited a sporting goods store.
"Pick anything you want."
Sophie hesitated.
"Anything?"
"Anything."
She chose new sneakers.
A gymnastics bag.
A telescope stand.
And one small stuffed fox.
Daniel laughed.
"I thought you'd pick something bigger."
She smiled.
"I've wanted this fox since I was eight."
Daniel bought it without looking at the price.
That afternoon he hired an attorney.
He wasn't interested in revenge.
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He wanted justice.
And he wanted Sophie safe.
