Chapter 2 - Chapter 2: Tshepo

# Chapter 2: Tshepo

"BUT, Daddy, I need to see her! I want to make sure she's getting better." My seven-year-old daughter, Puleng — Puli to everyone — pouted, her little arms crossed over her chest from where she sat across from me at the dinner table. She was a strong-willed little girl, just like her mother. And when she had an opinion, she wasn't afraid to let me know. I feared the teenage years, and they were quickly approaching.

"She is getting better, ngwanaka. The rescue will take good care of her and then set her free."

Puli's eyes widened before her face crumpled, and the sobs broke free. "No, Daddy! I don't want Willow to be set free! I want to keep her!"

"Puli, sweetie, we talked about this. Willow wants to live a free, happy life in the wild. Not be stuck in a cage."

"She can be free in my room! I told you she could!" More cries broke through.

Half of my heart shattered while the other half marched forward with my thoughts. It just wasn't feasible to take on a pet right now. Maybe when Puli got older and could handle the responsibility. Hopefully, she'd prefer a low-maintenance pet like a cat.

"You know that wouldn't work, lerato. What if she poops on your brand-new duvet?"

My daughter's face went pale. More tears flowed.

Internally, I sighed. Sometimes kids just didn't quit when they got their mind stuck on something. Especially mine.

"Can we just please visit her tomorrow after school? Please?" Puli wiped her tears away with the back of her hands and puffed out her bottom lip I couldn't resist.

"Fine. Real quick. Now eat all of your dinner, please."

"Okay!" Her tears instantly stopped.