“They belong with me, not with you, old man.”

Daniel Hayes said it loudly.

Too loudly for city hall in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

The way a man says something cruel when he knows it is cruel, and he says it anyway, because papers are papers, because Texas is Texas, because a father, who left his wife sick, who left his children hungry, in an old car behind a bakery, does not, in his mind, lose custody, does not lose rights, does not lose children, just because he left, just because he hurt, just because he threatened, just because his wife fled, two years ago, to protect Sophie, nine, and Eli, six, from a father who hurt their mother, who hurt them, who scared them, in Texas, in a house, that was not a home, in a life, that was not safe, in a family, that was broken, long before Clara Grant fled, with Sophie and Eli, in an old car, to Cedar Falls, Iowa, to her father’s bakery, without telling her father who she was, without telling her father that Sophie and Eli were his grandchildren, because Clara Grant was afraid, her father would be angry, her father would not forgive her, for leaving, fifteen years ago, for saying, “I am more than a baker’s daughter,” for never coming back, until she was sick, hungry, living in an old car, behind his bakery, in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Every person in city hall turned.

Judge Margaret Ellis, fifty-eight, leaned forward.

Clara Grant, thirty-two, sick, recovering from pneumonia, in Elias Grant’s apartment above Grant’s Bakery, held Elias Grant’s hand, tighter.

Sophie, nine, held Elias Grant’s other hand, tighter.

Eli, six, held Clara Grant’s hand, tighter.

And in the middle of city hall stood Elias Grant, sixty, baker, grandfather, a man who had left bread outside every night for three months, for hungry children he did not know were his grandchildren, a man who had just won temporary custody of Sophie and Eli, that morning, at nine o’clock, in city hall, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, from Judge Margaret Ellis, a man who had just won a charity bread permit, for Grant’s Bakery, a man who had just won, his daughter back, after fifteen years, a man who was about to lose, his grandchildren, tomorrow morning, at nine o’clock, to Daniel Hayes, their father, who had a custody order from Texas, a man who claimed Clara Grant took Sophie and Eli, two years ago, illegally, without his permission, after he left, yes, he left, but he did not give up custody, a man who said, “I will take Sophie and Eli, tomorrow, at nine in the morning, unless you, Mr. Grant, can prove, in court, in Texas, that I abandoned them, that I hurt Clara, that I hurt Sophie, that I hurt Eli.”

Elias Grant looked at Daniel Hayes, then at Sophie, then at Eli, then at Clara, then back at Daniel Hayes, and said, quietly, calmly, bravely, the way a grandfather speaks when he has just found his grandchildren at midnight, when he has just won temporary custody that morning, when he has nine hours, again, to prove, in a court, that a father who hurt his family does not deserve custody, that a grandfather who left bread outside every night does deserve custody, that a mother who fled to protect her children does deserve custody, that children who want to stay in a bakery, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, should stay, in a bakery, in Cedar Falls, Iowa:

“Mr. Hayes, go away. Mr. Hayes, these children are staying with me, Mr. Hayes, and with their mother, Mr. Hayes, in Grant’s Bakery, Mr. Hayes, in Cedar Falls, Mr. Hayes, Iowa, Mr. Hayes. Mr. Hayes, I will prove, Mr. Hayes, by tomorrow morning, Mr. Hayes, at nine o’clock, Mr. Hayes, that you abandoned them, Mr. Hayes, that you hurt Clara, Mr. Hayes, that you hurt Sophie, Mr. Hayes, that you hurt Eli, Mr. Hayes, because Mr. Hayes, Sophie told me, Mr. Hayes, in city hall, Mr. Hayes, just now, Mr. Hayes, ‘Grandpa, don’t let him take us, Grandpa. Dad hurt Mommy, Grandpa. Dad hurt us, Grandpa,’ Mr. Hayes, and Mr. Hayes, I believe Sophie, Mr. Hayes, I believe Clara, Mr. Hayes, I believe Eli, Mr. Hayes, and Mr. Hayes, a court, Mr. Hayes, will believe them, Mr. Hayes, too, Mr. Hayes, tomorrow morning, Mr. Hayes, at nine o’clock, Mr. Hayes, in city hall, Mr. Hayes, in Cedar Falls, Mr. Hayes, Iowa, Mr. Hayes.”

Two Years Earlier
Two years earlier, Clara Grant Hayes had been afraid.

Two years earlier, Clara Grant Hayes had lived in Texas, in a small house, with Daniel Hayes, with Sophie, then seven, with Eli, then four, a house that looked normal from the outside, with a yard, with a fence, with a mailbox, that said “Hayes,” in faded paint, a house that was not normal inside, a house where Daniel Hayes drank, a house where Daniel Hayes shouted, a house where Daniel Hayes hit Clara, once, then twice, then more times, a house where Daniel Hayes threatened Sophie, threatened Eli, threatened Clara, saying, “If you leave me, Clara, I will take Sophie and Eli, Clara, I will tell a court, Clara, you are unfit, Clara, I will tell a court, Clara, you stole my children, Clara,” a house where Clara Grant Hayes learned, very early, not to cry, in front of Daniel Hayes, not to complain, in front of Daniel Hayes, not to ask for help, in front of Daniel Hayes, because asking for help, in front of Daniel Hayes, felt like danger, felt like a slap, felt like a threat, felt like being different, from other mothers, who had safe houses, who had kind husbands, who had children, who were not afraid, at night, in Texas, in a house, that was not a home.

Two years earlier, on a rainy night, in Texas, Daniel Hayes had come home drunk, had shouted at Clara, had hit Clara, in front of Sophie, in front of Eli, had broken a plate, had broken Clara’s wrist, had said, “Clara, you are worthless, Clara, you are a baker’s daughter, Clara, you will never be somebody, Clara, without me, Clara,” and Clara Grant Hayes had looked at Sophie, crying, holding Eli, crying, in the corner, of that house, in Texas, that was not a home, and Clara Grant Hayes had made a decision, in three seconds, the way brave mothers make decisions, not after thinking for hours, but after feeling, in their hearts, in three seconds, what is right, and then doing it, no matter what it costs, no matter who finds out, no matter what a court in Texas says, tomorrow, or next week, or next month, when Daniel Hayes claims, Clara stole his children, when Daniel Hayes claims, Clara is unfit, when Daniel Hayes claims, Sophie and Eli belong with him, not with Clara, not with Elias Grant, their grandfather, in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Clara Grant Hayes had packed a bag, that night, two years ago, in Texas, quietly, while Daniel Hayes slept, drunk, on the couch, had put Sophie and Eli in an old car, had driven, all night, to Cedar Falls, Iowa, to her father’s bakery, without telling her father who she was, without telling her father that Sophie and Eli were his grandchildren, because Clara Grant Hayes was afraid, her father would be angry, her father would not forgive her, for leaving, fifteen years ago, for saying, “I am more than a baker’s daughter,” for never coming back, until she was sick, hungry, living in an old car, behind his bakery, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, but Clara Grant Hayes was more afraid, of Daniel Hayes, than of her father, Elias Grant, because Daniel Hayes hurt Clara, hurt Sophie, hurt Eli, in Texas, in a house, that was not a home, and Elias Grant, Clara Grant Hayes hoped, would not hurt Clara, would not hurt Sophie, would not hurt Eli, even if Elias Grant was angry, even if Elias Grant did not forgive Clara, for leaving, fifteen years ago, Elias Grant, Clara Grant Hayes hoped, would leave bread, outside, every night, for hungry children, behind his bakery, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Elias Grant did, leave bread, outside, every night, for three months, for Sophie and Eli, for Clara, in an old car, behind his bakery, without knowing, until tonight, at midnight, that he was feeding his own grandchildren, in the dark, behind his own bakery, in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Clara Grant Hayes had lived, in that old car, behind Grant’s Bakery, for three months, with Sophie and Eli, sick, hungry, afraid, waiting, every night, for bread, left outside, by Elias Grant, at nine o’clock, after closing, after baking, after cleaning, after praying, for someone, to eat, for someone, to live, for someone, to come back, tomorrow, for more bread, because bread, to Elias Grant, was not just bread, bread, to Elias Grant, was love, bread, to Elias Grant, was a promise, bread, to Elias Grant, was the last thing, his late wife, Martha Grant, had taught him, before she died, five years ago, in this same bakery, in this same town, saying, “Elias, never let anyone, go hungry, in this town, Elias, if you have bread, Elias, share it, Elias, even if you do not know, who eats it, Elias, especially, if you do not know, who eats it, Elias.”

The Girl Who Spoke
That afternoon, after Daniel Hayes claimed custody in city hall, Judge Margaret Ellis called a special hearing, in her chambers, not in public, not in front of Daniel Hayes, not in front of Jonathan Pierce, not in front of a crowd, but in private, with Sophie, nine, with Elias Grant, with Clara Grant, with a social worker, Mrs. Laura Bennett, forty-five, kind, experienced, a woman who had listened to hundreds of children, in custody cases, in Iowa, in Texas, in America, a woman who knew, when a child is telling the truth, when a child is afraid, when a child wants to stay, with a grandfather, with a mother, in a bakery, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, not with a father, in Texas, who hurt their mother, who hurt them, who scared them, in a house, that was not a home.

Sophie sat in Judge Ellis’s chambers, holding Elias Grant’s hand, holding Clara Grant’s hand, holding Eli’s hand, in her mind, even though Eli was waiting outside, with Tommy Reed, with Mrs. Helen Brooks, with Mr. James Carter, with Dr. Sarah Kim, because Eli, six, was too young, to testify, in chambers, but Sophie, nine, was old enough, to testify, in chambers, brave enough, to testify, in chambers, about Daniel Hayes, about Texas, about a rainy night, two years ago, when Daniel Hayes hit Clara, in front of Sophie, in front of Eli, when Daniel Hayes broke a plate, broke Clara’s wrist, said, “Clara, you are worthless, Clara,” when Clara packed a bag, that night, while Daniel Hayes slept, drunk, on the couch, put Sophie and Eli in an old car, drove, all night, to Cedar Falls, Iowa, to her father’s bakery, without telling her father who she was, without telling her father that Sophie and Eli were his grandchildren, because Clara was afraid, her father would be angry, her father would not forgive her, for leaving, fifteen years ago, but Clara was more afraid, of Daniel Hayes, than of her father, Elias Grant, because Daniel Hayes hurt Clara, hurt Sophie, hurt Eli, in Texas, in a house, that was not a home.

Sophie told Judge Ellis, quietly, bravely, in chambers, “Judge Ellis, Dad hurt Mommy, Judge Ellis. Dad hit Mommy, Judge Ellis, in Texas, Judge Ellis, in front of me, Judge Ellis, in front of Eli, Judge Ellis. Dad broke Mommy’s wrist, Judge Ellis. Dad broke a plate, Judge Ellis. Dad said Mommy was worthless, Judge Ellis. Dad said, if Mommy leaves, Judge Ellis, Dad will take me and Eli, Judge Ellis, Dad will tell a court, Judge Ellis, Mommy stole us, Judge Ellis. Judge Ellis, Mommy did not steal us, Judge Ellis. Mommy saved us, Judge Ellis, by taking us, Judge Ellis, in an old car, Judge Ellis, at night, Judge Ellis, to Cedar Falls, Judge Ellis, to Grandpa’s bakery, Judge Ellis, where Grandpa left bread, Judge Ellis, outside, Judge Ellis, every night, Judge Ellis, for us, Judge Ellis, for three months, Judge Ellis, until Grandpa found us, Judge Ellis, at midnight, Judge Ellis, behind his bakery, Judge Ellis, and Grandpa brought us inside, Judge Ellis, into warm beds, Judge Ellis, into a home, Judge Ellis, for the first time, Judge Ellis, in three months, Judge Ellis, in two years, Judge Ellis, since Texas, Judge Ellis, since Dad hurt Mommy, Judge Ellis. Judge Ellis, please, Judge Ellis, don’t let Dad take us, Judge Ellis, to Texas, Judge Ellis. Judge Ellis, we want to stay, Judge Ellis, with Grandpa, Judge Ellis, and Mommy, Judge Ellis, in the bakery, Judge Ellis, in Cedar Falls, Judge Ellis, forever, Judge Ellis.”

Judge Ellis listened to Sophie, for a long time, without interrupting, without asking, hard questions, without making Sophie cry, more, than Sophie already cried, telling her story, in chambers, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, to a judge, who had heard, hundreds of children, in custody cases, but who had never heard, a child, as brave, as Sophie, nine, who had lived, in an old car, behind a bakery, for three months, who had eaten, bread, left outside, every night, by her grandfather, who did not know, she existed, until midnight, behind his bakery, who had now, found, her grandfather, her mother, her home, in a bakery, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and who did not want, to lose, that home, tomorrow morning, at nine o’clock, to Daniel Hayes, her father, who hurt her mother, who hurt her, who scared her, in Texas, in a house, that was not a home.

Eli, six, waited outside Judge Ellis’s chambers, with Tommy Reed, drawing a picture, with crayons, a picture of Daniel Hayes, shouting, at Clara, a picture of Clara, crying, holding Sophie and Eli, a picture of Elias Grant, holding bread, smiling, a picture of Grant’s Bakery, warm, safe, home, a picture that Eli gave, to Mrs. Laura Bennett, the social worker, saying, “This is Dad, Mrs. Bennett. Dad is angry, Mrs. Bennett. This is Mommy, Mrs. Bennett. Mommy is crying, Mrs. Bennett. This is Grandpa, Mrs. Bennett. Grandpa is smiling, Mrs. Bennett, with bread, Mrs. Bennett. I want to stay, Mrs. Bennett, with Grandpa, Mrs. Bennett, and Mommy, Mrs. Bennett, in the bakery, Mrs. Bennett, forever, Mrs. Bennett.”

Mrs. Laura Bennett, the social worker, took Eli’s picture, took Sophie’s testimony, took Clara Grant’s medical records, from Dr. Sarah Kim, showing Clara’s broken wrist, two years ago, in Texas, healed, but documented, in a hospital, in Texas, where Clara went, after Daniel Hayes hit her, where Clara told a nurse, “My husband hit me, please, help me, please, don’t tell my husband, please, I am afraid,” a nurse who documented Clara’s injury, a nurse who kept Clara’s record, for two years, until today, until Judge Ellis, until Mrs. Bennett, until Elias Grant, needed that record, to prove, Daniel Hayes hurt Clara, to prove, Daniel Hayes abandoned Sophie and Eli, after Clara fled, to prove, Daniel Hayes does not deserve custody, in Texas, in Iowa, in America, anywhere, where children, should be safe, with a grandfather, with a mother, in a bakery, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, not with a father, who hurt their mother, who hurt them, who scared them, in Texas, in a house, that was not a home.

The Hearing
The next morning, at nine o’clock, in city hall, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, Judge Margaret Ellis held a full hearing, with Elias Grant, with Clara Grant, weak but standing, recovering from pneumonia, with Sophie, nine, holding Elias Grant’s hand, with Eli, six, holding Clara Grant’s hand, with Tommy Reed, with Mrs. Helen Brooks, with Mr. James Carter, with Dr. Sarah Kim, with Mrs. Laura Bennett, with Clara Grant’s original birth certificate, with Martha Grant’s recipe book, with Martha Grant’s letter, with photographs of Clara Grant at nine, at seventeen, in Grant’s Bakery, with Sophie’s testimony, in chambers, with Eli’s crayon picture, with Clara Grant’s medical records, from Texas, showing a broken wrist, two years ago, from Daniel Hayes, with proof, that Daniel Hayes hurt Clara, that Daniel Hayes abandoned Sophie and Eli, after Clara fled, that Daniel Hayes does not deserve custody, that Elias Grant and Clara Grant do deserve custody, that Sophie and Eli should stay, in Grant’s Bakery, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, with their grandfather, with their mother, forever, or at least, until Clara Grant recovers, fully, from pneumonia, until Sophie and Eli grow up, safe, in a bakery, in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Daniel Hayes stood in city hall, too, with Jonathan Pierce, with a lawyer, with a folder, with a Texas custody order, with a smile that was not kind, that was business, that was cruel, and said, “Judge Ellis, Clara took my children, Judge Ellis, two years ago, Judge Ellis, illegally, Judge Ellis, without my permission, Judge Ellis, from Texas, Judge Ellis, to Iowa, Judge Ellis, and that Texas custody order, Judge Ellis, says Sophie and Eli belong with me, Judge Ellis, not with Clara, Judge Ellis, not with Elias Grant, Judge Ellis, their grandfather, Judge Ellis, and Judge Ellis, I want my children, Judge Ellis, tomorrow, Judge Ellis, at nine o’clock, Judge Ellis, in Texas, Judge Ellis, not in Iowa, Judge Ellis.”

Judge Ellis looked at Daniel Hayes, for a long moment, without speaking, as if Judge Ellis were seeing a ghost, as if Judge Ellis were seeing a stranger, as if Judge Ellis were seeing a man, who had hurt his wife, who had hurt his children, who had scared his children, in Texas, in a house, that was not a home, a man, who now claimed, in city hall, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, that he deserved custody, of Sophie and Eli, because he had a paper, from Texas, because Clara fled, two years ago, to protect Sophie and Eli, from him, a man, who did not understand, that fleeing, from abuse, is not stealing, is not kidnapping, is not unfit parenting, fleeing, from abuse, is protecting, children, is saving, children, is being, a mother, a mother, who fled, in an old car, at night, with Sophie and Eli, to Cedar Falls, Iowa, to her father’s bakery, without telling her father who she was, because Clara was afraid, her father would be angry, her father would not forgive her, for leaving, fifteen years ago, but Clara was more afraid, of Daniel Hayes, than of her father, Elias Grant, because Daniel Hayes hurt Clara, hurt Sophie, hurt Eli, in Texas, in a house, that was not a home.

Judge Ellis said, loudly, clearly, so everyone in city hall could hear her, so Daniel Hayes could hear her, so Jonathan Pierce could hear her, so Elias Grant could hear her, so Clara Grant could hear her, so Sophie and Eli could hear her, so Mrs. Laura Bennett could hear her, so Dr. Sarah Kim could hear her, so Tommy Reed could hear her, so Mrs. Helen Brooks could hear her, so Mr. James Carter could hear her:

“Mr. Hayes, this court finds, Mr. Hayes, that you hurt Clara Grant Hayes, Mr. Hayes, two years ago, Mr. Hayes, in Texas, Mr. Hayes, breaking her wrist, Mr. Hayes, in front of Sophie, Mr. Hayes, in front of Eli, Mr. Hayes. Mr. Hayes, this court finds, Mr. Hayes, that Clara Grant Hayes fled, Mr. Hayes, with Sophie and Eli, Mr. Hayes, two years ago, Mr. Hayes, to protect Sophie and Eli, Mr. Hayes, from you, Mr. Hayes, not to steal Sophie and Eli, Mr. Hayes, from you, Mr. Hayes. Mr. Hayes, this court finds, Mr. Hayes, that you abandoned Sophie and Eli, Mr. Hayes, after Clara fled, Mr. Hayes, by not searching, Mr. Hayes, for Sophie and Eli, Mr. Hayes, for two years, Mr. Hayes, until Jonathan Pierce, Mr. Hayes, found Clara, Mr. Hayes, Sophie, Mr. Hayes, and Eli, Mr. Hayes, in Cedar Falls, Mr. Hayes, Iowa, Mr. Hayes, behind Grant’s Bakery, Mr. Hayes, in an old car, Mr. Hayes, living, Mr. Hayes, on bread, Mr. Hayes, left outside, Mr. Hayes, every night, Mr. Hayes, by Elias Grant, Mr. Hayes, their grandfather, Mr. Hayes. Mr. Hayes, this court grants, Mr. Hayes, full custody, Mr. Hayes, of Sophie and Eli, Mr. Hayes, to Clara Grant, Mr. Hayes, and Elias Grant, Mr. Hayes, jointly, Mr. Hayes, effective immediately, Mr. Hayes, in Iowa, Mr. Hayes, and Mr. Hayes, this court issues, Mr. Hayes, a restraining order, Mr. Hayes, against you, Mr. Hayes, Daniel Hayes, Mr. Hayes, ordering you, Mr. Hayes, to stay away, Mr. Hayes, from Clara Grant, Mr. Hayes, from Sophie, Mr. Hayes, from Eli, Mr. Hayes, from Elias Grant, Mr. Hayes, from Grant’s Bakery, Mr. Hayes, in Cedar Falls, Mr. Hayes, Iowa, Mr. Hayes, for one year, Mr. Hayes, or you, Mr. Hayes, will be arrested, Mr. Hayes, for violating, Mr. Hayes, this restraining order, Mr. Hayes. Mr. Hayes, the Texas custody order, Mr. Hayes, is hereby, Mr. Hayes, void, Mr. Hayes, in Iowa, Mr. Hayes, because Mr. Hayes, you hurt, Mr. Hayes, Clara, Mr. Hayes, Sophie, Mr. Hayes, and Eli, Mr. Hayes, and Mr. Hayes, a father, Mr. Hayes, who hurts, Mr. Hayes, his family, Mr. Hayes, does not deserve, Mr. Hayes, custody, Mr. Hayes, of his children, Mr. Hayes, in Texas, Mr. Hayes, in Iowa, Mr. Hayes, in America, Mr. Hayes, anywhere, Mr. Hayes.”

City hall erupted.

Neighbors cheered.

Tommy Reed cheered.

Mrs. Helen Brooks cried.

Mr. James Carter cried.

Dr. Sarah Kim smiled.

Mrs. Laura Bennett smiled.

Clara Grant hugged Elias Grant, crying, whispering, “Dad, thank you, Dad. Dad, we are safe, Dad. Dad, Sophie and Eli are safe, Dad, with us, Dad, in the bakery, Dad, forever, Dad.”

Sophie hugged Elias Grant, crying, whispering, “Grandpa, thank you, Grandpa. Grandpa, we are staying, Grandpa, with you, Grandpa, and Mommy, Grandpa, in the bakery, Grandpa, forever, Grandpa.”

Eli hugged Elias Grant, crying, whispering, “Grandpa, thank you, Grandpa, for the bread, Grandpa, every night, Grandpa, for three months, Grandpa, and Grandpa, thank you, Grandpa, for keeping us safe, Grandpa, from Dad, Grandpa, in Texas, Grandpa.”

Elias Grant cried, hugged Clara, hugged Sophie, hugged Eli, and said, “Welcome home, Clara. Welcome home, Sophie. Welcome home, Eli. This bakery is your home, forever, now. No one will take you away, now. Not Daniel Hayes, not Jonathan Pierce, not Texas, not foster care, not anyone, ever again.”

But just as Elias Grant was about to leave city hall, just as Clara Grant was about to go home, to Grant’s Bakery, to rest, to recover from pneumonia, just as Sophie and Eli were about to go home, to Grant’s Bakery, to bake bread, with Elias Grant, their grandfather, in the kitchen, in Grant’s Bakery, on Main Street, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, just as Daniel Hayes was about to leave city hall, defeated, with Jonathan Pierce, with his lawyer, with his Texas custody order, now void, in Iowa, just as Jonathan Pierce was about to leave city hall, defeated, with his folder, with his papers, with his smile that was not kind, that was business, that was cruel, now defeated, Daniel Hayes turned back, in city hall, walked toward Elias Grant, toward Clara Grant, toward Sophie, toward Eli, toward Judge Margaret Ellis, toward everyone, in city hall, and said, loudly, clearly, so everyone in city hall could hear him, so Elias Grant could hear him, so Clara Grant could hear him, so Sophie and Eli could hear him, so Judge Margaret Ellis could hear him, so Jonathan Pierce could hear him, the words that would change everything, again, that would set up Part 4 of Elias Grant’s story, that would make Elias Grant drop his basket of bread, right there, in city hall, in front of everyone, in front of a victory, that had just happened, in front of a celebration, that had just begun, when Daniel Hayes said, with a smile that was not kind, that was business, that was cruel, that was revenge, for losing custody, in Iowa, for losing Sophie and Eli, in Iowa, for losing Clara, in Iowa, for losing, to Elias Grant, their grandfather, in Iowa:

“Mr. Grant, congratulations, Mr. Grant, you won custody, Mr. Grant, in Iowa, Mr. Grant, but Mr. Grant, you have not won, Mr. Grant, Grant’s Bakery, Mr. Grant, because Mr. Grant, I sold, Mr. Grant, your bakery’s debt, Mr. Grant, to Jonathan Pierce, Mr. Grant, before I came, Mr. Grant, to Cedar Falls, Mr. Grant, Iowa, Mr. Grant, and Mr. Grant, Jonathan Pierce, Mr. Grant, now owns, Mr. Grant, Grant’s Bakery building, Mr. Grant, on Main Street, Mr. Grant, in Cedar Falls, Mr. Grant, Iowa, Mr. Grant, and Mr. Grant, Jonathan Pierce, Mr. Grant, will triple, Mr. Grant, your rent, Mr. Grant, tomorrow, Mr. Grant, will evict, Mr. Grant, you, Mr. Grant, Clara, Mr. Grant, Sophie, Mr. Grant, and Eli, Mr. Grant, in seven days, Mr. Grant, unless you, Mr. Grant, pay, Mr. Grant, one hundred thousand dollars, Mr. Grant, in seven days, Mr. Grant, to Jonathan Pierce, Mr. Grant, for Grant’s Bakery building, Mr. Grant, and Mr. Grant, if you, Mr. Grant, cannot pay, Mr. Grant, one hundred thousand dollars, Mr. Grant, in seven days, Mr. Grant, Grant’s Bakery, Mr. Grant, will close, Mr. Grant, forever, Mr. Grant, Clara, Mr. Grant, Sophie, Mr. Grant, and Eli, Mr. Grant, will have, Mr. Grant, nowhere, Mr. Grant, to live, Mr. Grant, in Cedar Falls, Mr. Grant, Iowa, Mr. Grant, and Mr. Grant, I, Mr. Grant, will be waiting, Mr. Grant, in Texas, Mr. Grant, for Sophie, Mr. Grant, and Eli, Mr. Grant, to come back, Mr. Grant, to me, Mr. Grant, when they, Mr. Grant, have nowhere, Mr. Grant, else, Mr. Grant, to go, Mr. Grant, in seven days, Mr. Grant, Mr. Grant, unless you, Mr. Grant, can save, Mr. Grant, Grant’s Bakery, Mr. Grant, in seven days, Mr. Grant, Mr. Grant.”

Jonathan Pierce, standing beside Daniel Hayes, smiled, a smile that was not kind, that was business, that was cruel, and said, “Mr. Grant, Daniel is right, Mr. Grant. I own, Mr. Grant, Grant’s Bakery building, Mr. Grant, now, Mr. Grant, I bought, Mr. Grant, its debt, Mr. Grant, from Daniel, Mr. Grant, for fifty thousand dollars, Mr. Grant, and Mr. Grant, your rent, Mr. Grant, triples, Mr. Grant, tomorrow, Mr. Grant, to three thousand dollars, Mr. Grant, a month, Mr. Grant, and Mr. Grant, if you, Mr. Grant, cannot pay, Mr. Grant, one hundred thousand dollars, Mr. Grant, in seven days, Mr. Grant, to buy back, Mr. Grant, Grant’s Bakery building, Mr. Grant, from me, Mr. Grant, I, Mr. Grant, will evict, Mr. Grant, you, Mr. Grant, Clara, Mr. Grant, Sophie, Mr. Grant, and Eli, Mr. Grant, in seven days, Mr. Grant, and Mr. Grant, Grant’s Bakery, Mr. Grant, will become, Mr. Grant, a supermarket, Mr. Grant, on Main Street, Mr. Grant, in Cedar Falls, Mr. Grant, Iowa, Mr. Grant, a supermarket, Mr. Grant, that sells, Mr. Grant, bread, Mr. Grant, cheaper, Mr. Grant, than your bread, Mr. Grant, Elias Grant, Mr. Grant, and Mr. Grant, no one, Mr. Grant, will leave, Mr. Grant, bread, Mr. Grant, outside, Mr. Grant, every night, Mr. Grant, for hungry children, Mr. Grant, in Cedar Falls, Mr. Grant, Iowa, Mr. Grant, anymore, Mr. Grant, ever again, Mr. Grant.”

TO BE CONTINUED IN PART 4…

❤️ If you were Elias, would you fight to save your bakery in seven days — even after you just won custody of your grandchildren?

👇 Comment YES if you want PART 4!