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I thought I was honoring my daughter\u2019s last wish.<\/p>\n
Laura was my only child. Before she died, she had made me promise one thing.<\/p>\n
\u201cDad, whatever happens, make sure Emma is safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Seven years ago, Laura was killed in a terrible accident on Highway 24.<\/p>\n
The police told us the car had burned so badly there could be no viewing. My son-in-law, Mark Stevens, stood beside my wife Eleanor and me through the funeral.<\/p>\n
We received a sealed urn.<\/p>\n
Six months later, Eleanor died too.<\/p>\n
The doctors called it cardiac arrest.<\/p>\n
I called it heartbreak.<\/p>\n
After that, my world became painfully small. I had my family grocery store, Miller\u2019s Corner Market, and Emma.<\/p>\n
Every January, I wired Mark $40,000.<\/p>\n
School.<\/p>\n
Food.<\/p>\n
Clothes.<\/p>\n
Whatever my granddaughter needed.<\/p>\n
At least, that was what I believed.<\/p>\n
Every other Saturday, I picked Emma up for ice cream. She always ordered strawberry swirl, and we sat beneath the same oak tree while she told me about school.<\/p>\n
That September afternoon, she had just finished telling me about getting an A on her spelling test when her smile suddenly disappeared.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrandpa?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, sweetheart?\u201d<\/p>\n
She looked around before gripping my sleeve.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease stop sending Dad money.\u201d<\/p>\n
I froze.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe money you give him. Don\u2019t send it anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n
I lowered my voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cEmma, that money is for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
She shook her head.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, Grandpa.\u201d<\/p>\n
Something about the way she said it frightened me.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs your father hurting you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Her fingers tightened around my sleeve.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019ll get angry.\u201d<\/p>\n
My stomach turned.<\/p>\n
Then she leaned close enough that I could barely hear her.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust follow him one day.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFollow him where?\u201d<\/p>\n
She glanced toward the parking lot.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t tell him. Just watch where he goes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before I could ask another question, Emma jumped from the bench.<\/p>\n