Emma’s Mission
Emma has always had a kind heart. When December approached, she announced she wanted to crochet 80 hats for children spending the holidays in hospices.
She taught herself the basics from YouTube tutorials and bought her first stash of yarn using her own allowance money.
Every day after school, it was the same ritual: homework, a quick snack, and then the quiet, rhythmic click-clack of her crochet hook.
I was bursting with pride in her drive and empathy. I never imagined how suddenly it would all turn sour.
Every time she finished a hat, she’d show it off to us and then place it into a large bag next to her bed.
She was on hat number 80 by the time Daniel left for a two-day business trip. She’d almost reached her goal and just needed to finish the final hat.
But Daniel’s absence provided Carol with a perfect opportunity to strike.
Whenever Daniel travels, Carol likes to “check in.” Maybe to ensure we’re keeping the house “properly,” or to monitor how we behave without Daniel’s presence. I’ve stopped trying to figure it out.
That afternoon, Emma and I came home from grocery shopping, and she ran to her room, eager to pick out colors for her next hat.
Five seconds later, she screamed.
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