Chapter 14 - Margaret Came to the Door
Margaret arrived unannounced one Saturday.
Daniel saw her through the front window.
Lily was building blocks on the rug.
He stepped outside and closed the door behind him.
“You need to leave.”
Margaret looked older.
Less polished.
“I want to see my granddaughter.”
Daniel almost laughed at the word.
“You called her a bastard child.”
“I was angry.”
“She was two.”
Margaret’s eyes filled.
“I know what I said.”
“Then you know why you’re not coming inside.”
“I’m her grandmother.”
“That’s a relationship. Not a permission slip.”
Margaret looked toward the house.
“Vanessa won’t talk to me.”
“That’s between you and Vanessa.”
“You’ve taken everyone.”
Daniel shook his head.
“No. You keep describing consequences like somebody stole them from you.”
Margaret stared at him.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then she said something unexpected.
“I hated Megan.”
Daniel stiffened.
Margaret continued.
“Not personally. I barely knew her. But Vanessa could never compete with a woman who died.”
Daniel understood.
Margaret had treated memory like competition.
Then taught Vanessa to do the same.
Daniel replied:
“Megan wasn’t competing with anybody.”
“I know.”
“Lily definitely wasn’t.”
Margaret lowered her eyes.
Daniel opened the front door.
Not for her.
For himself.
“You need to go.”
This time Margaret left.
Daniel locked the door and returned to Lily.
He did not tell her Grandma had been outside.
May you like
She was two.
She did not need to carry adult guilt.
