Page 10 of The Reborn

“Thank you.”

He waited for his partner to finish up with Sofia, then they took their leave.

Sofia turned to me once we were alone. “Olivia, I’m so sorry...”

“Sorry? For what?”

Tears began to fall down her cheeks and she glanced away as if embarrassed. “They said they didn’t find anything... like it’s my imagination or something.” She looked back at me, her eyes shimmering with tears. “But I swear I’m not stupid.”

“Nobody’s saying you’re stupid or imagining anything.” I glanced around at the dark street that was suddenly eerie now that the police officers had driven away. “We need to go in.” I shifted Elizabeth and handed her over, indicating for them to wait while I jogged out to the desolate street to move my car into the driveway and lock it up, then led them inside the house where I put my purse and keys in their usual spot on the hall table.

I locked up, then leaned against the door and took a deep breath. It would be fine. It had to be fine. There were no other options.

I found the girls waiting for me in the living room. “Did you guys eat dinner?”

“Yeah. We heated up a frozen pizza.”

“Nice. And did she get her bath?”

“Not yet.”

I nodded. “Okay. I can...” That’s when I really took in Sofia for the first time since I came home. Her drawn, frightened features. The dark circles under her eyes. She looked like a scared little girl, and I didn’t have the heart to send her out into the night after what she’d been through. “Would you like to stay the night with us tonight?”

She blinked at me with her big eyes, relief softening her shoulders. “I don’t have to.”

“I know. I want you to.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

“You can take a shower in my room while I give Little Miss a bath, then I’ll make up the guest bed for you.”

“That’s too much trouble. I’m happy to sleep on the couch.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. Thanks, Olivia.”

I got her settled with an extra towel, toothbrush, and one of my old nightgowns before setting up the couch as a makeshift bed. Elizabeth tried to help me, but her version of helping was throwing pillows around and shoving the blanket into the couch cushions, but it kept her busy, and she didn’t seem any worse for wear after the evening’s commotion.

While the bath water ran, I shot Whitney a text back, letting her know everything was good and everybody was safe and that I’d call her in the morning with details. I knew I had to; otherwise, I was liable to have my bestie beating down my door in the middle of the night, worried about me.

She replied immediately.

Whitney: You better call. Love you.

Me: Love you too.

I got Elizabeth bathed and to bed quickly, then found Sofia sitting quietly on her sofa bed with wet hair and a clean face, playing on her phone.

She glanced up when I walked in the room. “Thanks for letting me stay. I think I might’ve been too nervous to go back to my place tonight.”

She looked like such a little girl in that moment, something in me softened even more and I felt more maternal toward her than I ever had. I sat next to her and put a gentle hand on her knee. “Of course. I totally understand.”

“Is Lizzie okay?”

“Out like a light.”

She nodded and set her phone aside.

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