“Savannah, what have we taught you? Be
polite when we have guests. Say hello.”
But Savannah wouldn’t budge, so Bethany
snatched the device from her hands.
Savannah finally stomped over to me and spit
on my shoe.
“Hi, Aunt Riley!”
Bethany rushed over, pretending to scold her.
“That’s no way to behave. That’s your dad’s
sister, not your mom’s. He’ll be so mad if he
saw you!”
“Say sorry to your aunt!”
く
“Daddy loves me, so he won’t punish me.
Make him if you can. I dare you!”
Bethany patted her lightly on the shoulder,
and Savannah darted off.
I reached out to stop her, but she wriggled
free.
Bethany looked shocked, like she couldn’t
believe I’d try to discipline her brat.
She forced a smile.
“Riley, Savannah’s just playing around. Don’t
take it to heart.”
“I know the difference between playing and
being a brat,” I said. “Does she spit on people
all the time?”
く
Seeing how serious I was, Bethany tried
another angle.
“It’s all Ethan’s fault, really. He spoils her
rotten. I try to discipline her, but he won’t let
- me. Now she’s completely out of control.”
“Kids are tough these days. You’ll understand
when you have one of your own.”
I scoffed.
“If you can’t raise your kid, don’t blame the
kid.”
Just then, Riley burst into the room.
“Mommy!”
Г
My sister hurried in behind her. “Sorry,
something came up at work. I had to bring
her here. I’ve gotta run.”
Bethany’s mouth dropped open.
“That’s your kid?”
“Mommy, I need to pee.”
I ignored Bethany and turned to Riley.
“Excuse me,” I said, leading Riley toward the
bathroom.
Maybe it was jet lag or something, but my
stomach was a mess.
I told Riley to wait outside.
<
She must have been waiting a while, because
I heard her start to cry.
I rushed out of the stall. I was just outside the
bathroom, when I heard Ethan’s voice.
“Hey kiddo, what’s wrong?”
“Mommy’s been in the bathroom with diarrhea
for a long time, and I’m worried she’s not
feeling well.”
Ethan was about to ask a waitress to check
on me when I stepped out.
Riley threw herself into my arms, calling me
“Mommy.”
Ethan’s face was priceless.
L
