Lie.
“Who went to Mia’s recitals? Her doctor’s appointments? Her first day of school, who brought her?”
She looks at Kevin, then at me.
“I don’t know.”
And in that instant, I stop calling her my mother.
She’s called me fat, stupid, not enough, and I always forgave her. Always tried to see her as someone to respect.
But the moment she lied to take away my daughter is the moment I bury her in my heart.
I have no mother.
I look straight into her eyes and hope she sees it in mine.
My father takes the stand next.
“Mr. Montgomery,” the attorney asks,“in your opinion, who is more capable of caring for your granddaughter?”
“She should have stayed with her husband,” he says bluntly, looking right at me.“Running off in the middle of the night to live with another man was reckless and selfish.”
My throat burns.
Ethan rubs slow circles on my back behind me, steady, grounding.
“I’m here,” he whispers.
When my father steps down, he doesn’t look at me.
And the message is clear:
You’re on your own.
He’s gone, too.
Now, it’s up to my witnesses.
Josh goes first.
“Who are you to Ms. Montgomery?” my lawyer asks.
Josh looks at me, calm as ever.“I’m not her biological father, but I sure do love her like a daughter. Have since she came over for Thanksgiving dinner.” My eyes water.
“Mia is my granddaughter. No questions about that.”
My lawyer continues, and Josh talks about how I care for Mia and for everyone around me, how Mia is happy and has everything she needs.
Kevin’s attorney tries to poke holes, but gets nowhere.
Then Lily is called.
She walks up with her chin high, smile bright.
“How do you see Ms. Montgomery and her daughter?”
“They’re my daughter and granddaughter.” Lily looks at me, then at my parents, her opinion of them written clearly on her face.“Any parent should be lucky to have them in their lives.”
