The Promise Daniel Carter Left Behind

The biker stared at Emily’s pocket.

Then at her mother.

“Let her give it to me.”

The woman’s hand remained around Emily’s wrist.

“No.”

Emily looked up.

“Mom.”

Her mother closed her eyes.

For a moment, she seemed to be fighting herself.

Then she released the girl.

Emily reached into the front pocket of her overalls.

She pulled out a folded photograph.

Old.

Bent at the corners.