“Aunt Jessica?”
“Hi, sweetheart.”
She stayed beside her mother.
I crouched to her level.
“Can I ask you something about my birthday surprise?”
Lily nodded.
“Where did you get the idea to paint my car?”
“Because you love your car,” she replied. “Mommy said you worked really hard to buy it. I wanted you to see pretty flowers when you went to work.”
My eyes stung.
“That’s a very thoughtful reason, honey. Did you ask anyone before you started painting?”
She looked confused.
“I asked Mommy.”
I glanced up at Amanda.
“What did Mommy say?”
Lily smiled slightly, as though remembering something important.
“She said you wouldn’t mind because you love me.”
The room became completely silent.
Amanda stared at the floor.
I stood slowly.
“Amanda, did you tell her she could paint my car?”
“I didn’t tell her to paint it!”
“That’s not what I asked.”
“I was carrying food outside. She was talking about some birthday surprise, and I wasn’t paying attention.”
