At the sound of Phoebe's soft yet insistent voice, I am dragged out of a deep sleep. I mumble a response, trying to shake off the grogginess. The room is still dark, as it is still a half-hour before dawn. I disentangle myself from Lily, sit up, and stretch, careful not to wake Lily, who is sleeping peacefully next to me, her breathing steady and calm.

As I gaze at Lily, my heart swells with love and fierce protectiveness. Her words from last night echo in my mind: ‘I truly wish you were my mommy.’ The depth of emotion in her voice, the certainty in her eyes—it took my breath away.

I reach out and gently brush a strand of hair from her face, marveling at how quickly and completely this little girl captured my heart. Especially considering how infrequently I get to see her. I do speak to her all the time, both by message and calling. Considering how her family treats her, I’ve thought of her as my baby for a long time. At the moment, I truly wish she was.

I sigh softly, carefully sliding out of bed to avoid waking her. As I pad quietly to the bathroom, my mind is still swirling with thoughts from last night. In the bathroom, I splash some cool water on my face, trying to fully wake up. As I brush my teeth, I look at my reflection in the mirror. I see the bruise on my wrist where the drunk boy grabbed me. It's a stark reminder of just how idiotic some people can be.