Kayla’s mouth opened.
“That isn’t what I meant.”
Lizzie shook her head.
“It is.”
She
gestured between herself and Jennifer.
“She did the sleepless nights. She worked extra jobs. She sat in emergency rooms. She came to school events. She helped us through heartbreak. She paid bills when money was tight. She stayed up when we were sick.”
Her voice trembled only once.
“You skipped the entire part where children need a mother, then came back when you thought we could stand nicely beside you in a picture.”
Kayla began sobbing.
For the first time since arriving, nobody rushed to comfort her.
Part 8 — The Photograph
Graham rubbed both hands over his face.
Then he looked at the twins.
“You don’t owe us a picture.”
Jennifer nodded.
“We know.”
“You don’t owe Kayla one either.”
“We know that too.”
Then Jennifer surprised everyone.
“We’ll still take it.”
