“Exactly.”

Her voice softened. “I want time with my granddaughter.”

Some old, foolish part of me believed her. I packed snacks, wipes, an extra shirt, and Lily’s emergency card. I told Lily that Grandma was taking her somewhere special.

She was thrilled. She chose her yellow shoes.

When Brenda arrived, she barely glanced at the backpack. “We won’t need all that.”

“Please keep it with her.”