Her small cardboard box of crayons slipped out of her fingers.

Purple, red, and yellow wax sticks tumbled onto the carpet.

They rolled under the front seats in every direction.

Sophie let out a high, sharp cry of pain.

She grabbed her shoulder and curled into a tight ball on the cold leather cushion.

I unbuckled my belt instantly and pulled her onto my lap.

She buried her face in my chest, hiding her tears in the soft blue wool of my sweater.

“Mommy, I didn’t do anything wrong,” Sophie sobbed.