Tania took a bite, gasping for air as her tongue burned, "Mommy, it's too spicy ..."
Her mom scolded her harshly, "Just eat it! Why do you have so many complaints? It won't kill you. Eat it or don't eat it at all!"
Tania, with tears in her eyes, lowered her head and forced down two more bites, "Mommy's right, it's really good!"
That evening, after finishing work, I video-called Tania and asked her how her day had gone. What did she say?
"Dad, I had a great time with Mom. She gave me candy, played games with me and even cooked for me. Mom says she'll take me out to play tomorrow to celebrate Children's Day. Dad, when will you come back? Tania misses you ..."
After a long day of meetings, I believed her words. I thought Sherry's motherly instincts had kicked in, so I didn't check the surveillance footage.
Later that night, when they went to bed, Sherry slept with Tania, but halfway through the night, she took the whole blanket for herself.
Tania woke up in the middle of the night, tugging at the blanket, but couldn't pull it back, so she curled up into a ball.