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“I suppose.” Mom’s lips pursed.
“Maybe there’s something else both of you enjoy that you can do together,” I suggested, even though I hadn’t thought of one yet.
“I do need some help around here. Maybe you could come once a week and clean,” Mom said, her tone nonchalant.
I placed my fork on the table as white-hot disbelief shot through me. “You’re kidding me, right?”
Mom’s eyes widened. “What?”
“I thought there was a hobby or an interest that one of you shared with Kendall. I didn’t suggest it so she could clean your house.”
It would be one thing if they were elderly and truly needed the help, but I wasn’t offering my daughter up to clean their house for free or otherwise.
Kendall remained quiet throughout the exchange.
The only time I thought moving here was a mistake was when I visited my parents. They were still hopelessly out of touch.
“May I be excused?” Kendall asked softly.
“Yes.” I waited until she left the room.
“She barely ate,” Mom chided me.
I stood, throwing my napkin on the table. “Kendall needs to adjust to life with me and this town. She needs friends and family and love. What she doesn’t need is to be pushed to clean your house or to work with the family business.” Frankly, I wasn’t so sure she needed her grandparents, not if they saw her as hired help.
“You’re overreacting,” Mom said, completely unaffected by my outburst.
“So, I didn’t just listen to you suggest that Kendall clean your house as a way to bond with you?”
Mom’s face pinched as if she smelled something rotten.
“Don’t talk to your mother like that,” Dad said.
It was a familiar order. “I’ll talk to her with the same respect she just gave my daughter.”
Dad coughed. “I think your mother is right. You’re overreacting.”
“I know what I heard.” I clenched my teeth, trying to hold back the years of resentment I felt for my father. It wasn’t the time nor the place.
Rolling back my shoulders, I said, “I’m taking Kendall home.”
No one tried to stop me. I found Kendall sitting on a couch in the formal living room. The one no one ever used. If my mom had seen her there, she would have chided her. I held out my hand to her. “Let’s go.”
Relief flooded Kendall’s face as she placed her hand in mine. My entire body softened at the touch. I hadn’t held her hand since she was six. I needed the connection now.
I’d protect her. I’d make sure she knew she had choices. I’d never pressure her to do something she didn’t want to do.
In the truck, Kendall asked, “Why did you get so angry?”
A muscle ticked in my jaw. “I don’t want you cleaning their house. Not that there’s anything wrong with that profession, but you’re nine. You should be doing other things.”
Kendall was quiet for a few seconds and then said, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I wanted to tell her I’d always stick up for her. I’d always have her best interests at heart. But I couldn’t seem to form the words. Hopefully, she understood from what just happened.
Guiding and protecting her was my job now. I tried not to think about what would happen when Melanie decided my turn was up.
ChapterEleven
