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But she attended the one where Teresa tried to apologize.
Her mother stood outside the courtroom in a dark dress, looking smaller than Sophia remembered. For once, there was no Claudia performing beside her, no Ernest barking orders, no stolen doll to hide behind.
“Sophia,” Teresa said.
Sophia stopped but kept distance.
Her mother’s eyes filled.
“I never meant for it to go this far.”
Sophia looked at her.
“You came to my apartment at two in the morning to take my daughter.”
Teresa flinched.
“I thought Claudia could give her more.”
“More what? More things stolen from other people?”
Teresa’s face crumpled.
“She was always easier to help.”
The sentence slipped out before Teresa could dress it up.
Sophia felt an old wound pulse.
“Because she made you feel important?”
Teresa looked away.