Chapter 18 - A Visit Behind Glass
The supervised visit took place at a family center, with a staff member at the door and a plan neither adult could change.
Vanessa sat at a small table. When Sofia entered, she stood too quickly, then stopped when the supervisor reminded her to wait for Sofia to choose what to do.
"Hi, sweetheart," Vanessa said. "I brought your rabbit."
Sofia stayed near the door, holding Bunny Rose. "Why did you hide her?"
"I thought the doll made you sad."
"Mommy made it. Why did you say she didn't love me?"
Vanessa's mouth trembled. "I shouldn't have said that."
"Why did you make me eat by the trash?"
Vanessa had no prepared speech for that. "I was angry. I wanted you to listen to me."
"Why did Uncle Rick lock me in the pantry?"
Vanessa looked down. "I let him do things I should have stopped."
Sofia's fingers tightened around the doll. "Did you love me?"
"I did. I do."
Sofia watched her. "You made me scared of Papi."
Vanessa covered her mouth. The supervisor ended the visit when Sofia signaled she was done. No one forced a hug or asked her to forgive.
In the hallway, Sofia clung to Mateo's hand. "Was I mean?"
"No. You asked honest questions."
"She's crying."
"Adults can cry when they understand they've hurt someone. You don't have to make them feel better."
In the car, Sofia asked if she had to visit Vanessa again. Mateo told her any future contact would follow the court's plan and her safety would come first.
"I don't hate her," Sofia said. "I just don't want to be alone with her."
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"That is enough for now."
A letter from the district attorney waited in the mailbox when they got home. Ricardo wanted to discuss a plea agreement. The case was moving forward, but Mateo knew a legal outcome would not automatically make Sofia feel safe.
