Daddy Said Yes

Three weeks earlier, Meadow had left Bethany’s apartment with hair that reached the middle of her back.

She had brushed it carefully that morning and asked Bethany to braid it with a pale-blue ribbon. It was the same ribbon she had worn when she won first place in her school’s reading competition.

Her father was waiting in the parking lot.

Dustin leaned against his silver car, looking impatiently at his phone. Since the divorce, his visits with Meadow had become less frequent and more complicated. He often changed the schedule at the last minute, blaming work, traffic, or Bethany.

That Sunday, he had promised to take Meadow to the science museum.

“Remember, I’ll pick you up at six,” Bethany told her.

Meadow nodded and hugged her tightly.

“Will Grandma Evelyn be there?”

“Your dad said it would be just the two of you.”

Meadow seemed relieved.

Bethany noticed, but before she could ask why, Dustin called from across the parking lot.

“We’re already late.”

Meadow climbed into the car.

Instead of driving to the museum, Dustin took her to Evelyn’s large house outside the city.

Evelyn Cromwell believed children should speak only when invited, sit straight at the dinner table, and obey adults without questions. She had never forgiven Bethany for divorcing her son.

“You took his home away,” Evelyn once told her. “Now you’re raising his daughter to think she can do whatever she wants.”

At the house, Meadow discovered several relatives gathered for lunch.

Evelyn immediately noticed the reading medal pinned to Meadow’s sweater.

“What is that?”

“I won it at school.”

Evelyn held out her hand.

“Let me see it.”

Meadow carefully removed the medal and placed it in her grandmother’s palm.

Evelyn examined it, then smiled toward the relatives.

“She’s very proud of herself.”

“I practiced a lot,” Meadow said.

“You talk about it constantly,” Evelyn replied, although Meadow had mentioned it only once.