“They’re upset. Their father is furious. And you had no right to take them.”
“I know.”
“How did you get on that list?”
She hesitated, then admitted she’d submitted a form with Marcus’s signature.
She copied the signature from an old school document Emily had once shared with her.
The school had accepted it without confirming the change.
“You forged his name?”
“Yes.”
“Do you understand you frightened us? I thought someone had kidnapped my grandchildren.”
“I do. I’m sorry.”
I told her an apology wouldn’t undo it and that the school and authorities would be informed.
She didn’t argue.
“I wasn’t trying to take them away,” she said. “I wanted them to know I wasn’t a stranger. I thought if they met me, Marcus couldn’t keep erasing me.”
“Children aren’t tools for settling arguments with adults.”
“You’re right.”
I was ready to end the call when she asked whether I had read Emily’s letter.
