I Walked My Neighbor’s Daughter to School Every Morning — One Day, My Life Turned Upside Down Because of It

“I’ll take her,” I said.

The uncle relaxed. “Great. I’ll have a lawyer sort it out.”

Marissa ran to me, hugging me tight. That night, I sat beside her bed, holding her hand until she slept. “You’re not leaving?” she asked.

“Nope. I’m staying, and so are you.”

The next morning, we walked to school as usual. At the front desk, the secretary slid a form across the counter.

“Guardian?” she asked.

“Yes,” I said, taking the pen.

For the first time in thirty years, the word felt earned. Everything had changed.