A couple months after the SeaWorld trip, Daniel was taking Emma to Knott’s Berry Farm for the weekend. His mother Ruth was going too—it would be a family outing to the amusement park. Daniel had been planning it for weeks, excited to have everyone together in a fun setting.
Kassie had wanted to go, but she’d held back. She was still working on that courage Daniel had asked for. Still trying to figure out if she was ready to push into his life down south.
But then, lying in bed one Thursday night, she decided. She was tired of waiting. Tired of being afraid. Tired of letting fear make decisions for her.
She called Marie into her room and asked if she wanted to make a surprise trip.
“To see Daniel and Emma?” Marie’s eyes lit up.
“Yeah. A surprise family trip.”
Marie had immediately sai
