Red_Roses_and_Black_Dahlias_-_Macy_T

“Hello, you must be Sofia.” her eyes were fixated on me but I didn’t
answer, words evading me.
I understood why Valentina said she reminded her of mama. If her hair
underneath the headscarf was shiny, jet black and wavy, she could’ve been
Mama’s twin. The resemblance was uncanny and made me stare. I forced
myself to swallow the lump forming in my throat in order to answer her
greeting.
“Hi. Yes, it’s me. Thank you so much for looking after Valentina.” I got
back on my feet and offered her a small smile.
“No thanks needed, really. Valentina was adorable and Sameera loved
having her over.” That would be the little girl who played dolls with my
sister yesterday in the picture Maddox showed me.
Valentina tugged on my pants “Sameera is Aisha’s daughter, she’s nine
like me and she loves dolls too! She didn’t think they were dumb.” My heart
warmed seeing her so happy.
She told me girls at the private school mom and dad enrolled her in didn’t
want to play with dolls anymore because they said they were for babies.
They all had cell phones already and spent recess scrolling through social
media.
“Well, Sameera is welcome anytime if she wants to come over and play
dolls with you.” I caressed her smooth hair and sent a grateful look to Aisha.
She smiled back at me and nodded as if to say thank you.
I couldn't help but stare as Callie started talking with her. Smooth facial
features, full lips, an ethnic nose, thick black eyebrows, she looked so much
like mama. Feeling a pair of eyes on me, my gaze drifted over to Maddox
who was looking at me with a strange expression. I immediately straightened
up and dropped my eyes, bringing Valentina closer to me.
Nurdeen left for work and Aisha told us to come sit in the living room
while we waited for the social workers to get here. She asked if we wanted