I looked at her.
« So instead of admitting you made a mistake, you accused me of hating Lily? »
Amanda said nothing.
« Do you know how much that hurt? »
She turned away.
« I was angry. »
« So was I. But I didn’t threaten to take away someone you love. »
Dad stepped closer.
« That’s what concerns me most, Amanda. You made Jessica’s relationship with Lily part of an argument about your responsibility. »
Amanda’s eyes filled.
« I was trying to defend my daughter. »
« From what? » I asked. « I hugged her. I told her that her drawing was beautiful. I waited until she left before I spoke to you. »
Amanda looked at me, and for the first time, she seemed unsure of her own version of what happened.
Then Lily tugged her sleeve.
« Mommy? »
« Yes, sweetheart? »
« Is Aunt Jessica not going to be my aunt anymore? »
I froze, stunned by her question.
« What? »
Lily clutched her rabbit.
« Yesterday, when you were shouting, I heard you tell her to stay away from me. »
Amanda went pale.
« I didn’t know you heard that. »
Lily’s eyes filled with tears.
« Did I make Aunt Jessica stop loving me because I painted her car? »
I knelt immediately.
« Oh, Lily, no. »
« But Mommy said you were mad about my present. »
« I was worried about my car, » I explained gently. « But that doesn’t mean I stopped loving you. I could never stop being your aunt. »
She wiped her eyes.
« Even if I did something bad? »
« You weren’t trying to do anything bad. You wanted to surprise me. »
I touched her little hand.
« But if something belongs to another person, you have to ask that person before changing it. Even when you’re trying to do something nice. »
Lily thought about that.
« Like when I wanted to color Mommy’s bedroom wall? »
« Exactly. »
She looked toward Amanda.
« Mommy told me I couldn’t because it’s her wall. »
I saw Dad glance at Amanda.
Her eyes were fixed on Lily.
« That’s right, » she whispered.
« Then I should’ve asked Aunt Jessica about her car? »
« Yes, sweetheart, » Amanda said quietly. « You should have. »
« But you said it was okay. »
Amanda knelt beside us.
« I know. And that was my mistake. »
Lily looked puzzled.
« Your mistake? »
« I wasn’t listening carefully. I should never have told you Aunt Jessica wouldn’t mind without asking her. »
Amanda brushed Lily’s hair behind her ear.
