Michelle
Esmeralda had issues with words like "taken away" and "kidnap”, and judging by the way she began crying, I was beginning to think it had everything to do with her dead mom. I watched Bruce walk over to the little girl, who was trembling with her gaze tilted upwards to see her father. Bruce lowered himself down and began whispering tender words in Italian—unfortunately, Italian that I could barely understand.
She sniffled, wiping her nose and gently shaking her head. After a few more questions in Italian, Bruce shook his head and then lowered it into the palm of his hand. Whatever the heck the man was telling her, it didn’t seem to be working. I told myself I couldn’t bear to see her tears anymore. I stumbled over to her and knelt, pulling the girl into a hug, one that she melt
