Let her go, I silently commanded myself, stay put and let her do this. “You text me,” I couldn’t stop myself from saying, as I hurried after her. Stopping midway down the staircase, I watched on helplessly as she opened the front door. “I’m serious. One sniff of crap from anyone, and I’ll come sort it out.” “I can do this, Joe,” she replied, turning back to look at me. “I can.” “I know you can.” I forced myself to smile back at her. “I just…” Blowing out an anxious breath, I said, “I’m here for you, okay? Always here for you.”
