I'm New York City

seven

"Sage, can we talk?" I asked, as I walked up to her. She shook her head and I could see her still holding back tears.

"You deleted my apps, you misplaced my iPad, but you forgot my laptop. How stupid do you think I am? How many times do I have to tell you that I can handle all of this?" she continued, over and over.

I wanted to tell her the truth. Tell her that it was going to be alright and that I would protect her. But she was just like me. She's continuing to say she's got it, say that she's okay, but really she isn't.

"Baby, listen" I said.

"No, you listen. I'm already a teen, I'm not a child anymore. You guys can't hide me for the rest of my life and expect me to survive out there in the future. You can't keep shielding me from what you guys think is bad for me. I have friends, I'm trying to create a social life for myself, but how can I do that when you two are constantly creating a road block?!" she yelled, letting tears fall freely down her cheeks.

Joe stood behind me, with his hand on my shoulder. I stared at Sage, not knowing what to say. She was right, but I didn't care. She was my baby and I was going to do everything I could to protect her, but it just seemed like the ones that's caused her the most pain, were us.

"Sage, I think that's enough" Joe stated, making her chuckle as she shook her head. She slammed her laptop shut and stomped back up the stairs.

I turned around, facing Joe. I could see the hurt and concern in his eyes. A few moments later, we heard the door to her room slam shut. I just wanted to run up there and hold her, but I knew that's the last thing I should do right now.

"I can't, I can't do it. These are supposed to be happy moments. She's taken out of school, free to do whatever she wants at home, invite her friends over, and get excited about her upcoming birthday!" I told Joe.

I heard footsteps running down the hallway upstairs, towards the stairs and shortly saw Ivy coming towards me. "What happened to Sage? I heard yelling" Ivy said, looking up at me with wide eyes.

"She's just a little upset, don't worry okay?" I told her, as I caressed her cheek.

"Did she find her phone?" Ivy asked.

I nodded my head as I let out a giggle, "Yes she did boo".

Ivy and Joe got themselves situated at the kitchen table, going over some of Ivy's finished assignments. I looked at the clock and thirty minutes have already gone by. Standing up from the couch, I basically dragged myself towards to stairs to confront Sage.

"Baby?" I asked as I knocked on her door. I pressed my ear up to it when I didn't get a response back.

"Sage, honey, can you open the door?" I asked.

Starting to get frustrated, I turned her handle and to my surprise she locked it. We definitely had a no locking rule in this house, ever since she was a kid.

"Sage Madeline, open this door" I stated sternly.

No answer.

I was getting worried, I didn't hear any noise from the other side. I raced into the bedroom, grabbing the key to her bedroom from the drawer and swung her door open once I unlocked it.

"Sage?" I said as I walked into her room.

I looked in her bathroom, not there. I quickly opened her closet just to find darkness. My heart was racing and I moved the curtains that covered her small balcony doors. I opened the doors, stepping out as I looked over to the neighboring buildings. She had to have snuck out. I looked to the side where there was a ladder, but it was still a pretty far jump from the ground.