Chapter 6 - Gloria Stopped Letting Lizzy Stay Overnight With Me
For the first year after Megan’s death, Lizzy stayed at my apartment:
one weekend a month.
We built:
blanket forts,
watched animated movies,
made grilled cheese.
Then Gloria started canceling.
“She has plans.”
“She’s tired.”
“School project.”
“Behavior issue.”
Once I drove over anyway with:
birthday gifts.
Lizzy ran to the door.
“Auntie!”
Gloria immediately said:
“She can’t go anywhere.”
“Why?”
“She lied.”
“About what?”
“Food.”
Again.
Lizzy’s face dropped.
I looked at Mom.
“What happened?”
“She took granola bars into her room.”
I almost laughed.
Then saw:
Mom was serious.
“You’re grounding her over food?”
“She stole.”
“From the kitchen?”
“Yes.”
“Mom.”
“Do not undermine me.”
I should have asked:
Why is a six-year-old hiding food?
Instead I argued:
discipline style.
Wrong question.
May you like
Again.
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