“Okay.”
Kayla stopped.
“What?”
Jennifer smiled pleasantly.
“We understand.”
I stared at my granddaughter.
Lizzie looked equally agreeable.
“Yes,” she said. “Completely.”
Kayla’s shoulders visibly relaxed.
“You do?”
Jennifer nodded.
“Of course, Mom.”
Mom.
The word nearly knocked me out of my chair.
Kayla’s eyes brightened.
“Oh, thank goodness. I was afraid Margaret might’ve spent years making you hate me.”
Jennifer smiled even wider.
“She didn’t.”
Kayla looked relieved.
“Wonderful.”
Then she reached the real reason she had come.
“I actually need both of you tomorrow.”
Jennifer’s expression didn’t change.
“For what?”
“My husband’s family is having a gathering at the country club. Graham’s relatives will all be there. We’re doing professional family portraits.”
Lizzie stared at her.
“You came here because you need us for photographs?”
Kayla laughed as though the question were ridiculous.
“You’re my daughters.”
The room became very quiet.
