The bright Dallas sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains of the grand foyer, casting long shadows across the pristine white marble floor. Beneath a high ceiling supported by massive white columns, a large framed American flag hung silently on the wall. Three-year-old Emily walked slowly across the wide hallway, her little white socks making faint, soft friction sounds against the polished stone. She held a small porcelain plate tightly in her tiny hands. On the plate sat three small, triangular crustless sandwiches, carefully cut into little pieces.
Emily stopped near the heavy, double white doors that led to the unused under-stairs storage room beneath the grand staircase. She looked around the quiet foyer, her natural toddler face serious and focused. Then, with extreme care, she dropped down onto her knees and slid the plate gently onto the wooden floor molding right against the bottom crack of the closed doors.
Emily: "Eat it fast before she comes back. I brought the peanut butter ones today."
A faint, barely audible rustle came from the dark side of the crack, followed by the soft sound of tiny fingers scraping against the plate. Emily smiled, patting the wooden door panel gently with her small hand.
At that exact moment, the front entrance doors swung open, bringing in a sharp gust of Texas wind. Daniel Vance, wearing a dark grey suit and tie, stepped into the foyer carrying his leather briefcase. He paused, hearing the soft click of the heavy door behind him. His eyes immediately fell on his daughter sitting on the floor by the dark storage closet.
Daniel: "Emily, sweetheart, what are you doing with those plates?"
Emily gasped, quickly pulling her hands back and standing up. In the background, near the framed American flag, Daniel's new wife, Victoria, stood perfectly still. Her face turned pale as she watched Daniel approach the double doors with a look of deep concern. Daniel set his briefcase down, dropping quickly to his knees right beside the toddler. He reached his hand out toward the crack of the double doors, his heart pounding in his chest as he gently pushed the creaking wood open to look inside.