I reassured Joanne that we would figure something out and that she could spend time with her brother when he returns from school today.
Back at home, Joanne and I spent the day together, exploring the neighborhood and getting to know each other. I learned about her favorite toys, her hobbies, and her dreams. She shared her fears and anxieties, her joys and sorrows, in a way that touched my heart.
"Mom, I still want to go to Michael's school," Joanne said.
"Tomorrow we will go and get what you need to start school. If that's what you want, I will do it for you," I said, and she nodded with a smile.
After registration on the third day, I noticed a black car parked in front of my house. Sometimes, I would see a man dressed in black wearing dark glasses and an earpiece in his left ear. I couldn't shake the feeling of being monitored, but I focused on caring for my kids and my job.
