Chapter 1 - THE CHRISTMAS DRESSES
“Can I keep it?”
Emily stood beside her bed, holding the forest-green velvet dress I'd spent almost two weeks sewing.
Her little fingers carefully smoothed the gold stitching along the cuffs.
I looked at her.
“Of course, sweetheart.”
She hesitated.
“Even if Dad doesn't like it?”
My heart broke all over again.
I knelt in front of her.
“Emily, look at me.”
She lifted her eyes.
“You looked beautiful tonight.”
Her lower lip trembled.
“Then why did everybody laugh?”
I swallowed.
“Because sometimes adults say unkind things.”
She looked down.
“Even Dad?”
I closed my eyes.
Especially Dad.
But I couldn't say that.
Not yet.
So I took her hands.
“Your father was wrong to laugh.”
Emily stared.
I'd never said that before.
Not so directly.
Usually, I explained.
Defended.
Softened.
Made excuses.
Tonight, I didn't.
“Adults make mistakes,” I continued. “But that doesn't mean you did anything wrong.”
She nodded slowly.
Then hugged me.
Across the hallway, Lucas stood in his bedroom doorway.
He was still wearing his green vest.
“Mom?”
I looked up.
“Yes?”
“Do you think Mr. Fenwick thought we looked stupid?”
I shook my head.
“No.”
Lucas hesitated.
“He looked angry.”
I smiled sadly.
“I think he was angry at the people who were being unkind.”
Lucas looked down.
Then whispered:
“I liked my vest.”
I crossed the hallway and pulled him into my arms.
“I liked it too.”
He hugged me tightly.
And as I held my children, I made a promise.
Not aloud.
Not dramatically.
Just quietly, inside my own heart.
No one would ever make my children feel ashamed of being loved.
Not Paige.
May you like
Not Colin.
Not anyone.
