It was a holiday ornament made of craft sticks, school glue, and green glitter. Crooked letters across the middle read: Mom’s back.

Corinne had to kneel all the way down to hug her.

“Are you leaving again?”

“I’m going to do everything I can to stay close to you.”

She didn’t say forever. Children need honest answers, not impossible ones.

Before the event, Rachel handed her a leather folder: certified bank statements, videos authenticated by the security company, medical reports, Mrs. Odom’s signed statement, the emergency court order.