Megan had returned at 6:18 without Lily.
She had laughed and said she forgot her.
Lily said Megan ordered her to wait near the bench after an argument.
I gave him Megan’s phone number.
Then Lily quietly handed him the yellow price tag.
She had finally loosened her grip on it, but the line across her palm was still visible.
Officer Ruiz asked Lily a few simple questions without crowding her.
He did not put words in her mouth.
He mostly listened.
When we eventually left the store, Lily refused to let go of my hand.
Her missing shoe had not been found.
I carried her to the car anyway.
By the time we returned to Mom’s house, dinner should have been underway.
Instead, the patrol car pulled into the driveway behind us.
Megan was in the kitchen pouring iced tea.
That image stayed with me almost as clearly as Lily behind the patio cushions.
