Motherless

25

Melody

"Given that you haven't heard anything, Talia will unfortunately have to be put in a foster home for the time being," Hall declared.

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I tightened my grip on Talia, who looked up at me with wide, fearful eyes. "No," she whispered, her voice trembling.

"They can't take her away," I said, my voice breaking. "She needs to stay with me."

Smith placed a hand on my shoulder, her expression sympathetic. "I know this is hard, but we have to follow the process."

Talia's grip on my clothes tightened, her body trembling. "No! I don't want to go!" she screamed, her voice filled with panic. "Please, Melody, don't let them take me!"

The social workers approached, and Talia's panic intensified. She clung to me with all her strength, her small hands desperately gripping my clothes. "Please, Melody! You promised! You said we'd be together!" she cried, tears streaming down her face.

My heart shattered as I held her close. "I love you, Talia. I want you with me, but we have to follow the rules for now. I promise I'll get you back." I kissed her cheek softly, trying to reassure her.

"Why are you letting them take me?!" Talia screamed, her voice breaking with anguish. "I thought you wanted me! I thought you loved me!"

Her words cut through me like a knife. The social workers tried to gently pry her away, but Talia's grip only tightened. "Please, Melody! Don't leave me! I need you!"

My tears flowed freely as I whispered, "I love you, Talia. I want you more than anything, but we have to do this the right way. I will get you back."

"Melody, please! Don't let them take me! Please!" Talia screamed, her voice filled with desperation and fear.

The social workers finally managed to pull her away from me, and she thrashed in their arms, kicking and screaming. "Melody, please! Don't leave me! I need you!"

Her screams echoed in my ears, each one a dagger to my heart. "Talia, I will get you back! I promise!" I shouted, my voice cracking with emotion.

As they carried her out of the courtroom, Talia's cries grew more desperate. She pounded on the glass window of the car, her small fists hammering against the glass.

Her words tore through me, and I collapsed to my knees, my body wracked with sobs. The pain of seeing Talia so heartbroken and scared, thinking I had abandoned her, was more than I could bear. "I love you, Talia! I'm not abandoning you! I'll get you back!" I cried out, my voice hoarse with emotion.

Smith and Hall stood by, their faces etched with sympathy. Hall stepped forward, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I'm so sorry, Melody. This is the hardest part. Can you pack some of Talia's clothes and anything she would need?"

I nodded numbly, trying to gather myself. "Yes, of course."

Before I left, I looked at Hall with tear-filled eyes. "Please, take care of her. She's been through so much."

"We will," Hall promised. "And we'll work with you to bring her home as soon as possible."
~~~~~~

The silence in the house was deafening as I packed a small suitcase with Talia's clothes, her books, and a few personal items. Each item I placed in the bag felt like a piece of my heart being torn away. This wasn't just a temporary goodbye; it was a promise that I would fight with everything I had to bring her back.