“I was twenty-three,” Clara said.
“Your father had just left.
I was working two jobs.
She told me I was unfit.
She told me if I fought her, she’d take Sophie permanently and I’d never see you again.”
“Did you sign?”
“I signed a temporary agreement.
Six months.
She said I could get you back when I was stable.
But six months turned into a year.
Then two.
Every time I tried to come see you, she had a reason.
You were asleep.
You were at a friend’s house.
She moved twice and didn’t tell me the new address.”
Sophie’s eyes were wet now.
“Why didn’t you fight harder?”
“I tried.
I filed for custody when you were four.
She brought a lawyer to court and told the judge I was unstable.
She had people from her church testify against me.
The judge believed her.”
