Chapter 78

• “HOW COME ONLY my daddy is late? Did—did he forget me?” Daisy pooches out her lower lip, and it quivers a little as she tries not to break out into a full-blown cry.
• “Oh, sweetie, he’s just a really busy and important man is all. It’s not because he forgot.” I crouch down in front of her, lifting her chin up so she can see me. “You are his entire world. I promise you he’s going to be here any minute.” I offer up a huge smile to reassure her, but the truth is, I have no idea if he’s even on his way yet. He left a message with the school’s administrative assistant, letting her know that he’d be just a few minutes late today.
• “Come on,” I say, reaching for her hand and I stand back up. The classroom is empty. I walk over to grab my bag and turn off the lights and shut the door. “We’ll go wait down by the front entrance. I’ll show you my new paint by numbers picture if you want to see it?”