Chapter 1: The Question No Child Should Ask
Chapter 1: The Question No Child Should Ask
I wrapped my arms around Millie as gently as I could.
She buried her face against my shoulder.
After a long silence, she whispered,
"Daddy... do I really have to apologize?"
I frowned.
"Apologize for what, sweetheart?"
Millie's tiny fingers twisted the edge of her dress.
"Great-Aunt Linda said I was rude because I didn't let her kiss me."
My heart skipped a beat.
"And when I moved away..."
She touched the red mark on her cheek.
"...she slapped me."
I felt every muscle in my body tense.
"She said good girls obey older people."
I took a slow breath, fighting to stay calm.
"No one has the right to hit you, Millie."
Her eyes filled with tears again.
"But Grandma said I should say sorry so everyone can have a nice birthday."
Before I could answer, my mother appeared in the doorway.
"There you are," she said, forcing a smile.
"Millie just misunderstood Linda."
I stood up slowly.
"Misunderstood?"
Mom sighed.
"It was only a little slap."
"Linda didn't mean any harm."
I stared at her in disbelief.
"You saw it happen?"
She hesitated.
May you like
Then nodded.
The room suddenly felt much smaller.
