“Mom, the teacher said Niah had a stomachache at school today. We should skip cheese fondue—maybe make something light for dinner instead.”
My daughter’s face twisted in outrage. Her voice cracked as she shouted, “Mommy’s lying! She said I’m a waste of money! She said I don’t deserve to eat good food! She said one day she’s gonna break my legs and cut out my tongue!”
She sobbed, trembling, and buried herself in Priscilla’s arms.
Harold, my father-in-law, who’d been reading the paper, looked up sharply and barked, “Your mom almost died giving birth to you, and this is how you repay her? You ungrateful little thing!”
Terrified, my daughter clung to Priscilla’s neck like her life depended on it.
“Grandma, I’m not lying! I don’t—I don’t wanna be kidnapped! Please save me!”
Priscilla gently stroked my daughter’s back, full of tender affection. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. Grandma’s here. You’re safe.”
Then she turned to her husband with a light scold. “She’s just a kid. She doesn’t know what she’s saying. Let’s not take it too seriously.”
Finally, she looked back at me. “No cheese fondue, then. Go out and buy some groceries.”