A Grandfather’s Confession
Chapter 06 - A Grandfather’s Confession
Thomas sat at Emily’s kitchen table with Lily across from him.
Daniel remained near the doorway.
He wanted answers.
But he knew Lily needed them more.
Thomas told her the truth in language a ten-year-old could understand.
He admitted that when Emily became pregnant, he was afraid.
Emily’s mother had died years earlier, and Thomas had become obsessed with controlling anything that might hurt his daughter.
He saw Daniel as unstable because Daniel was building a business and living out of suitcases.
“I thought your mother would give up everything for him,” Thomas said.
Lily frowned.
“So you lied?”
Thomas looked down.
“Yes.”
“And then you kept lying.”
“Yes.”
Lily’s eyes filled.
“Mom cried sometimes.”
Thomas’s shoulders dropped.
“I know.”
“Was that because of you?”
The question destroyed him.
Thomas whispered, “Some of it was.”
Lily stood and left the table.
Daniel followed her only as far as the hallway.
She went into her bedroom and closed the door.
Thomas covered his face.
“I thought someday she’d forgive me.”
Daniel’s voice was cold.
“Emily?”
Thomas nodded.
Daniel looked toward Lily’s closed door.
“You should be more worried about whether Lily does.”
Later that evening, Lily emerged carrying the gray stuffed elephant Emily had given her as a toddler.
She sat beside Daniel on the porch.
“Do I have to live with you now?”
Daniel felt the weight of the question.
“No.”
She looked surprised.
“I’m your father, but I’m also someone you met yesterday. You don’t have to pretend that isn’t strange.”
Lily stared at the elephant.
“Grandpa says the judge might decide.”
Daniel nodded.
“That could happen.”
“Will you fight him?”
Daniel thought carefully.
“I’ll fight for what’s best for you.”
Lily looked at him.
“That’s not the same thing.”
“No,” he said. “It isn’t.”
For the first time since the funeral, she almost smiled.
Then Daniel’s phone rang.
It was his attorney.
May you like
Emily’s will had been filed.
And Thomas had already challenged it.
