The Call That Changed Everything
Emily stood by the window, peering into the shadowy outline of the garden.
“Still no lights on. Its already ten, and Sophies not back yet. If only she knew how worried I am. Shes only fourteen. And yet she manipulates her father like a grown womanhe believes every word she says, gives her money whenever she demands it.”
The gate slammed, and the familiar rhythm of footsteps echoed through the alley. “Sophie,” Emily thought, stepping away from the windowGod forbid her daughter saw her watching, or thered be another shouting match.
“Mum, Im home!” Sophie called from the doorway. “Got anything to eat?”
“Where are your manners?” Emily tried to kiss her daughters cheek, but Sophie dodged, vanishing into her room with a shout:
“Im starving! I dont have time for this!”
“And where are you rushing off to at this hour? Its past ten,” Emily said, bracing herself for another argument.
“Here we go again,” Sophie muttered just loud enough for her to hear. “Im nearly fifteen, Im not a child!”
She began tossing clothes out of the wardrobe, searching for the right dress. Emily watched helplessly.
*How do I reach her? How do I stop this?*
“Why are you just standing there like a statue?” Sophie snapped. “Im going clubbing with the girls. Its Halloween, everyones celebratingwhy should I miss out?”
She pulled out the dressshort, backless, trimmed with red lace.
“Sophie, where did you get that? Its vulgar. Do you know what kind of girl wears things like that?”
“I dont care! I bought it on sale for Halloween. Dad gave me the money.”
Sophie yanked out a pair of red stilettos. “Perfect, right?” She strutted past her mother, swaying her hips. “Toms going to lose his mind when he sees me.”
“Youre not going,” Emily said quietly.
Sophie spun around. “*What*?”
“I said no.”
“Since when do you get a say?” Sophie sneered. “Look at youpathetic! Dad left you, and no ones bothered picking you up since!”
“Pathetic,” she repeated, savoring the cruelty.
Emily snapped. She struck her daughter across the face, then stormed out, slamming the door behind her. Sophies shrieks followed.
“You *bitch*! I *hate* you! Youll regret this!”
Emily locked herself in the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face. She stared into the mirror with a bitter smile.
*Pathetic. Ive got a good job, a nice flat, Im not bad-looking. But with Sophie its like she became a stranger at twelve. Backchat, smoking, everythings a battle. The vicar said its pride. Maybe hes right. I tried therapy, but nothing works. Every day it gets worse. Like Im her enemy, not her mother. If only she knew how much I love her. God, I hit her. What do I do now?*
She cracked the doorSophie was on the phone, excited. *”Toms going to be there I promised him”*
*Tom. I remember him in Year 3all eyes and skinny limbs. Now hes practically Prince Charming. No wonder all the girls fancy him. And he likes my Sophie. Not surprisingshes beautiful.*
Emily sighed, locked the front door, and hid the key. *No clubbing. Tom will survive. And Halloweenall that devil nonsense. Best avoided.*
She tiptoed toward her room, but Sophie burst into the hallway.
“Ill *never* forgive you! Ill sue you!” she screamed, face twisted with hate. “Ill jump out the window if I have to! You dont *understand* love! Hes *waiting* for me!”
“If Tom really loves you, hell wait as long as it takes,” Emily said gently. *My poor girl. How do I help you?*
“What are you staring at, you old cow?” Sophie spat. “Im calling Dad. *Hell* take me!”
“Go ahead,” Emily said. “But youre not leaving this house tonight.”
Sophie went still. “Fine. You asked for it.”
Emily heard the shoes clatter to the floor, then Sophies hushed, gleeful phone call. A chilling laugh followed.
*Halloween came to us. No need to go out.* Emily wiped her tears, swallowed a sleeping pill. *Maybe tomorrow will be better.*
—
The alarm blared. Emily shook off the remnants of sleep, washed her face, and started breakfast. She wasnt one to hold grudgesSophie usually cooled off by morning.
But not this time. Sophie marched past the table, stone-faced, grabbed her birth certificate, and left.
All day, Emily pushed thoughts of their fight asidebut leaving work, it was all she could think of. *Is Sophie okay? Has she forgiven me? Should I apologise for hitting her? Does she even care how much her words hurt? My last ECG wasnt great Ill get her favourite éclairs. Well make up over tea.*
“Sophie! I got your éclairs! Truce?” Emily called as she walked in. Silence.
No sign of her. The sandwiches shed made that morning sat untouched.
*Better a bad peace than a good quarrel.* She dialled Sophies numberthen froze as her own phone rang. Unknown number.
“Emily Carter?” A cold, metallic voice. “Valerie Harris. Social Services. Your daughter filed a complaint about abuse. Weve taken her into temporary care.”
Emilys world tilted. “*What*?”
“Due to concerns for her safety, shell remain in emergency accommodation until court.”
“*Court*?”
“To terminate your parental rights.”
Emilys knees buckled. “On what grounds?”
“You struck your child. Were you *sober*?”
“How *dare* you!”
“We *dare* when children need protecting. See you in court.” The line went dead.
—
Valerie visited Sophie later, bringing Snickers. “For the trauma. Dont worryshell pay.”
Sophie hesitated. “Whatll happen to her?”
“Shell lose custody. Youll go to foster care.”
Sophie paled. “*Foster care*?”
“Dont you *want* away from her?”
“I just wanted to scare her! Make her let me do what I want!”
Valerie smirked. “Scared her to death, then.”
Sophies breath hitched. “*What*?”
“Cardiac arrest. My condolences.”
Sophie collapsed, wailing. “Mum was the *best*! I *hate* you!”
Valerie left, irritated. *Ungrateful brat. Still, my bonus should cover that new fur coat.*
Outside, snow fell softly. Thenglass shattered.
Sophie landed in the snow, her red coat blooming like blood.
—
She survivedconfined to a wheelchair. Her fathers new wife refused to take her in.
Sophie was sent to a care home. The bank demanded repayment for Emilys loan.
Tom visits sometimes.
