Something in me broke.
I ran down the steps. “Ava,” I said, firm and clear. “Get in the car.”
My mother finally shut off the water and turned to me, one hand planted on her hip. “Excuse me? She is not going to play with her friend today after behaving like that.”
I laughed, short and sharp. “That’s funny. You’re not her parent.”
Her eyes flashed. “Eleanor?—”
“Why did you destroy her art?” I demanded.
She started in on something about HOA rules and property values, but I was already done listening.
“We’re leaving,” I said. “Now.”
“Well, will you be back for dinner?” she asked coolly.
“I don’t know,” I said, and meant it.
I climbed into the driver’s seat, and Ava buckled in beside me, still sniffling. I pulled out of the driveway with more restraint than my teenage self ever would have managed.
No squealing tires. No reckless turns.
Just a quiet, furious exit with my kid beside me.
By the time I pulled up to Alex’s, Ava was still red-eyed and quiet, curled in on herself in the passenger seat like all the fight had leaked out of her.
Leo came tearing out of the front door the second he saw the car. “Ava!” he yelled, skidding to a stop by her door.
She didn’t answer him. Just stared out the window.
Leo looked back at me, confused and hurt, not knowing what was wrong. “Did I do something?”
“No, buddy,” I said gently. “She just . . . needs a minute.”
Alex was on the porch, watching us with that soft, concerned look that told me he was paying attention without intruding. Leo wandered up to him, shoulders slumped, and I caught Alex’s eye.
I held up my finger, motioning for one minute.
He nodded, easy and understanding, and put a hand on Leo’s shoulder. The fact that he knew how to handle kids with big feelings without making them feel small made everything better.
I turned back to Ava. “Hey, baby. What do you want to do?”
She sniffed. “I don’t know.”
“We can hang out here and watch a movie,” I said. “Or you can go play with Leo. Or we can go back to Grandma’s.”
Her face scrunched up like I’d suggested jumping into traffic. “No.”
“Okay,” I said softly. “What about a movie? Would you want Leo to watch with us?”
She nodded slowly. “Yeah… I can ask him.”
I watched as she climbed out of the car and walked up the steps to Leo, saying something I couldn’t hear. His face lit up instantly. He nodded hard, and a second later, they were heading inside together.
Alex stayed on the porch, giving me a small, curious smile.
“Everything okay?” he asked.
