Page 30 of Finders Keepers

9. Find a park nearby for Sophie to play

I tap my pen against my chin, thinking about what Sophie might need.

“Mama, can I have some juice please?” She asks, looking up at me.

“Of course, honey.” I get up to pour her some apple juice, grateful for the small break from my growing list.

When I return to the table, I add one more item:

10. Make this tiny house a home

It’s not something I can check off in a day, but it’s the most important task of all. I need to create stability for Sophie, a sense of security that Matt stole from us both.

I close the planner, tucking it into my purse. One day at a time. Today, we visit the adoption event with Ms. Lucy. Tomorrow, we’ll start tackling this list.

Together.

I check my watch again, only ten minutes until Ms. Lucy arrives. “Sophie, honey, let’s get your shoes on.”

Sophie bounces up from her drawing, her little yellow sundress with tiny embroidered daisies swishing around her knees as she grabs her sparkly silver sandals from beside the door.

“Can you help me, Mama?” She holds them up, struggling with the tiny buckle.

“I sure can.” I help her slip her feet into them. “You look so pretty today, baby. Like a little flower fairy.”

She giggles. “Do fairies have sparkly shoes?”

“I bet they do.” I fasten the last buckle and kiss her forehead. “Stay here while I go to the bathroom real fast.”

“Okay.” she smiles.

In the bathroom, I lean close to the mirror, examining my jawline. The arnica gel did its job, there’s no trace of the bruise left. I still touch up the spot with a bit of concealer, more out of habit than necessity, blending it carefully.

My reflection stares back at me, and I barely recognize the woman I see. My face has thinned. The stress and anxiety eating away at my appetite. The loose tank top I’m wearing, once fitted, now hangs more freely around my torso. Even my favorite denim shorts, the ones with delicate white embroidery along the pockets, sit lower on my hips than they should. I find my thin brown belt hanging on a hook on the back of the bathroom door, threading it through the loops. It helps, but I make a mental note to pick up some new clothes when I’m able.

I run my fingers through my long blonde hair, arranging it to fall naturally over my shoulders. The white eyelet lace tank top matches well with the shorts, and my worn-in brown leather sandals are comfortable enough for walking around the adoption event.

“Mama!” Sophie calls from the other room. “I hear Ms. Lucy’s car!”

“Coming, sweetie!” I give myself one final look in the mirror. The woman staring back at me might be thinner, might be wearing clothes that don’t quite fit right anymore, but her eyes are clearer than they’ve been in months. The constant fear that used to shadow them has started to slightly fade, replaced by something that looks almost like hope.

I grab my crossbody bag from the counter, checking that I have everything we need, wallet, phone, keys, Sophie’s drawing carefully rolled to keep it from creasing. The gravel crunches outside as Ms. Lucy’s car pulls up.

“Ready to go see the puppies?” I ask.

She’s already at the window, waving at Ms. Lucy. “Yes. And I’m gonna give Dr. Gavin my drawing too, remember?”

“That’s right.” I smooth down her dress and double-check her sandal buckles. “Remember what we talked about though, there might be lots of people there, so stay close to me or Ms. Lucy, okay?”

“Okay mama.” She grabs my hand.

I lock up behind us, breathing in the fresh morning air. The Texas summer hasn’t fully set in yet, and a gentle breeze carries the scent of the flowering magnolia trees.

Ms. Lucy waves from her car. “Don’t you two look prettier than a picture! Sophie, that dress is absolutely darling.”

She twirls, showing off her dress. “It has flowers like your garden, Ms. Lucy.”

“It surely does.” Her eyes meet mine as Sophie climbs into her car seat. “That top is lovely on you, Bailey. The white really brings out your eyes.”

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