Evelyn picked up Maya by her small arms and carried her up the stairs.
Maya cried out softly because she wanted to keep playing with her toys below.
Richard walked toward the upstairs hallway, but Evelyn did not notice him yet.
She stood near the open balcony railing that overlooked the main white foyer.
An American flag hung proudly on the wall right behind the open railing.
Evelyn looked down at the hard marble floor two floors below them.
Evelyn: You don't belong here!
Richard gasped as he saw Evelyn loosen her grip on the child's dress.
Maya screamed loudly as she began to slip over the polished wooden bar.
Time seemed to stop completely as Richard sprinted toward the open edge.
He knew he could not reach the top balcony in time from where he stood.
He took the steps three at a time and bolted down to the foyer.
The toddler was falling through the bright daylight toward the hard marble below.
Richard rushed across the polished floor with his arms fully outstretched in panic.
His shoes slid against the smooth marble as he made a desperate leap forward.
He hit the floor with a hard sliding thud just as Maya fell.
His arms locked tightly around his daughter an inch before she hit the ground.
The impact knocked the breath right out of Richard's lungs on the floor.
He pulled Maya close against his chest and checked her arms and legs quickly.
The small girl burst into loud sobs and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Maya: Daddy!
Richard: I've got you Maya!
Richard held her tight while his whole body shook with intense horror and relief.
He stood up slowly with his crying child held safely in his arms.