“But you planned it. You admitted that you wanted me to feel your pain.”
He bowed his head.
“Yes.”
“You saw an excited little girl dressed as a princess. You saw her smile. And you decided to hurt her.”
His eyes filled with tears.
“I know.”
“She asked me why you didn’t like her dress.”
That broke him.
He covered his face, but I didn’t move to comfort him.
I looked at the pictures on his wall.
“Maybe you should think about what you’d want someone to do if Anna came home telling you a neighbor had treated her this way.”
He nodded slowly.
“You’re right.”
He asked whether he could apologize to Lily.
I told him I would discuss it with her first.
“And don’t bring her gifts to make yourself feel better,” I added. “She doesn’t owe you forgiveness.”
“I understand.”
Before leaving, I handed him the gold shoebox.
