Grandma Went Away

We met three more times without Lily. My mother never asked when her punishment would end. She never mentioned the trust. She listened.

Months later, Lily agreed to meet her at the same park. I explained it in simple terms. “Grandma made a big mistake. She is sorry. Mommy will stay the whole time.”

“Are you still here?”

“I will be right beside you.”

Brenda waited beside the bench. When Lily approached, my mother crouched but did not reach toward her. “Hi, Lily.”

My daughter hid partly behind my leg. “Hi.”