"May, do you really think it could be that bad?"
"I don't know. But in my world, I've grown accustomed to expecting and planning for the worst but hoping for at least better—not best."
"I'm scared. What if she hurts Macy? I feel like neither Caden or I really know her. Neither of us would have ever guessed she was stealing. She has a job—mortgage broker, you know. And her husband makes good money too. I can't understand where it all went." 
"Hey," Maliyah's voice softened. "Listen to me. I've worked with hundreds of families in situations like this. The money and all that—you'll figure it out. Once you get Macy back, she will be okay. Children are more resilient and perceptive than we give them credit for. We don't know what Jessica has told her. For all we know, Macy thinks they are going on a vacation. No matter what though, Jessica can't erase the relationship Macy has with you guys overnight."
"But what if—"
"Felicity." Her voice was firm now. "You have to focus and make sure you don't spiral. I can hear it starting. You can't go down the rabbit hole of worst-case scenarios—it will make you crazy and won't help anyone right now."
She was right. I was already starting to catastrophize, my mind racing through every terrible possibility.
"What should I do?" I asked quietly. "How do I help Caden through this? How do I help Macy when we find her?"
"First, you focus on what is within your control. Support Caden, cooperate with the police, and trust that they'll find her. Second, when Macy comes home, you create the safest, most stable environment possible for her to process whatever she's been through."
"Jesus." I dropped my head against the wall, feeling so overwhelmed by everything. "You know, Caden and I were going through something before all this happened. We'd reached a certain peace, but there is still a lot for us to work through. Add that onto the trauma Macy may be experiencing. It's a lot May. It's a lot."
"It sounds like it. But you know, you don't know what you don't know. Macy may not even be experiencing trauma. Her mom may be acting completely normal with her. She may be completely fine when she gets back. Or maybe she's going to be confused and hurt and angry. Every child responds differently. But Felicity, you and Caden—just remember what it feels like to choose each other, to choose your family. That's exactly what Macy's going to need."
I touched the locket at my throat, feeling its weight. The photo inside—the three of us at Christmas, all genuinely happy—felt like a talisman now.
"Yeah. You're right. And I know I shouldn't borrow trouble."
"One day at a time Felicity."
"I know. So—you said you and Caden were going through something? You don't have to tell me anything, and I know it's shit timing, but know if you need a shoulder, I'm here. And as your sister, I'd like to say—I'll cut any bitch who fucks with you. "I mean, unless someone's listening, then of course any violence threatened is just 온라인카지노게임 telling on my part and not an actual threat...right now." I laughed. She laughed. I needed that moment—where all this turmoil wasn't swirling around me.
"Maliyah, I love you so much."
"Of course you do. I'm awesome," I could hear the smile in her voice.
"You are. Okay—so, the reason we were having some issues..." And I gave her an abbreviated version of what has happened over the last couple weeks from the purse and fight with Caden, the feeling of invisibility for the last few years. My fingers were fiddling with the locket as I told her about the apology gift from him and Macy and how they not only donated the purse but their time too. "They chose an organization that helps women rebuild their lives after abuse. Women like..." my voice trailed off.