Chapter 3 - The Promise
The morning of the accident began with a message from the twins’ daycare.
A water pipe had burst overnight. The building would be closed for emergency repairs.
Mara read the message while Noah sat in his high chair crushing banana pieces between his fingers. Lily was beside him, carefully dropping cereal onto the floor.
Mara had an important meeting at eleven with investors involved in the largest contract her company had ever pursued.
She could reschedule, but doing so could cost the company months of work.
Mara called her mother.
Evelyn answered on the fifth ring.
“I need you and Claire to watch the twins for three hours,” Mara said. “The daycare is closed.”
There was a long pause.
“We have plans.”
“What plans?”
“A pickleball tournament.”
Mara looked at the clock.
“Mom, I have a major meeting. I never ask you to take them alone.”
“You ask us for things constantly.”
Mara almost laughed at the unfairness of the statement.
She paid nearly every major expense in Evelyn’s life, yet three hours of childcare was apparently too much.
“I’ll pay the registration fee for another tournament,” Mara offered. “Please. I’m stuck.”
Evelyn sighed dramatically.
“Fine. We’ll come over.”
“Thank you.”
“And Claire needs money for new tires.”
Mara closed her eyes.
“Send me the invoice.”
Evelyn and Claire arrived at ten, already dressed in athletic clothes.
Claire looked at the twins and frowned.
“They aren’t going to cry the entire time, are they?”
“They just ate,” Mara replied. “They’ll probably nap soon.”
Mara showed them the prepared bottles, diapers, emergency contacts, and sleep schedule.
Evelyn waved her hand.
“We’ve raised children before.”
As Mara picked up her work bag, Noah reached toward her.
She hesitated.
A strange uneasiness settled in her stomach.
“Call me if you need anything.”
“We’ll be fine,” Evelyn said.
Mara kissed both twins and left.
She did not see Claire checking her phone.
May you like
She did not hear her sister whisper that their first match had been moved earlier.
She did not know that Evelyn had already decided three hours was too much to sacrifice.
