« I don’t remember every little conversation from yesterday. »
Her hesitation made me think there was something she wasn’t saying.
« Can we ask Lily? » I said.
Amanda immediately stiffened.
« Don’t drag my daughter into this. »
« I’m not accusing her of anything. I just want to understand what happened. »
Dad nodded.
« Let’s hear what she remembers. »
Amanda reluctantly called Lily from the living room.
She appeared carrying a stuffed rabbit.
Her smile disappeared when she saw me.
« Aunt Jessica? »
« Hi, sweetheart. »
She stayed beside her mother.
I crouched to her level.
« Can I ask you something about my birthday surprise? »
Lily nodded.
« Where did you get the idea to paint my car? »
« Because you love your car, » she replied. « Mommy said you worked really hard to buy it. I wanted you to see pretty flowers when you went to work. »
My eyes stung.
« That’s a very thoughtful reason, honey. Did you ask anyone before you started painting? »
She looked confused.
« I asked Mommy. »
I glanced up at Amanda.
« What did Mommy say? »
Lily smiled slightly, as though remembering something important.
« She said you wouldn’t mind because you love me. »
The room became completely silent.
Amanda stared at the floor.
I stood slowly.
« Amanda, did you tell her she could paint my car? »
« I didn’t tell her to paint it! »
See more on the next page
« That’s not what I asked. »
« I was carrying food outside. She was talking about some birthday surprise, and I wasn’t paying attention. »
Lily frowned.
« But I showed you the paints, Mommy. I said I wanted to make Aunt Jessica’s car pretty. »
Amanda closed her eyes.
I suddenly understood why Lily had looked so proud yesterday.
She believed she’d received permission.
« You told her I wouldn’t mind, » I said.
« I didn’t realize she meant the actual car! »
« Then why didn’t you tell me any of this yesterday? »
Amanda’s voice rose.
« Because you were already upset! »
« I was upset about the paint. I wasn’t angry with Lily. »
« You don’t understand how embarrassing it was! »
That stopped me.
Amanda looked toward Dad, then back at me.
« When you asked about money, I realized I’d probably let her do something expensive. I knew Dad had heard us arguing. I felt like everyone was looking at me as if I’d been careless. »
