Cody didn’t leave the stall until he cried all his fear and worries out. He looked at himself in the mirror and found his eyes puffy. He washed his face with some cold water and went back to his room, and got changed.

Linford’s view of the boy changed completely as he found him standing beside Candace as if nothing had happened.

****

Two days later, Cristelle could finally talk as she held her daughter’s little hand, “Candace, I still want to hear you call Mom.”

Candace didn’t say ...