lew back to New York,

de Academy, its stone faça

told the receptionist. "I need to see my daught

gave me a polite,

e get Ms. Peterson for you. She

with a severe haircut and an

asked, her eyes sca

hter, Emily, supposedly being enrolled in a public scho

rth certificate, copies of the Parkside enro

lanced at them

e said, picking

the receiver, he

laims to be Emily's mothe

p, her fac

playing, but Emily Thompson is perfect

" I said, my voice rising des

you are not," Ms. Peterson stated flatly. "In fact, they

s appeared at h

ster. She's trying to

I was incredulous. "This

again, but Ms. Peterso

Emily's real mother is on her

oman I vaguely recognized ru

n's high school sweetheart.

et her away from my daughter!" Jessie shr

the scene. Jessie? Here? Cl

vin wal

hus

side, putting a comf

face a mask of conc

r everyone to hear. "Honey," he said to Jessie, "it's okay. This is.

d to Ms.

h. She's... unwell. She sometimes gets confused. Jessie is Emi

etween himsel

orld

vowing me, calling m

ecurity, please escort Ms. Thompson off the prem

aning of this?" I shou

"Sarah, please. Don't ma

ms. I didn't resist,

carefully constructed,