I covered my mouth.
Daniel's voice broke.
"Margaret, my little girl thought she had to look neglected to prove she still loved her mother."
For several seconds, I couldn't speak.
I remembered Lily standing in the doorway.
The oversized blue dress.
The anxious glance toward the kitchen.
And her whispered explanation.
I'm supposed to wear this one today.
The meaning was finally becoming clear.
Vanessa had made a child responsible for managing the emotions of adults.
She had turned clothing into a test of loyalty.
And Lily had been trying desperately not to fail.
I wiped my cheeks.
"Where is Vanessa?"
"Still out. She said she had a meeting."
I looked toward the clock.
"What are you going to do?"
Daniel was quiet.
Then he said, "First, I'm making sure Lily feels safe. After that, I need to understand what else has been happening."
I nodded.
"Good."
He took a breath.
"She asked if she could call you tomorrow."
My heart broke.
"Of course."
Daniel hesitated.
"She said she was afraid you wouldn't love her if you knew she liked the new clothes."
I began crying.
He continued softly.
"I told her that was nonsense."
I nodded through tears.
"Tell her Grandma loves her in every dress she owns."
Daniel's voice trembled.
"I will."
When the call ended, I sat alone at my table.
And for the first time, my anger at Vanessa was almost overwhelmed by grief for the little girl who had been carrying everyone else's feelings on her shoulders.
The next morning, my granddaughter called before breakfast.
I answered so quickly that I nearly dropped the phone.
"Hello, sweetheart."
There was a pause.
Then Lily whispered, "Grandma?"
"I'm here."
She sounded uncertain.
"Daddy said I could call you."
"Of course you can."
Another pause followed.
Then she asked the question I had been dreading.
"Are you mad at me?"
I closed my eyes.
"Oh, Lily. No."
She didn't answer.
I could hear faint movement in the background and Daniel speaking softly, telling her that she could take her time.
I sat down.
"Sweetheart, why would you think Grandma was angry?"
Lily's voice became smaller.
"Because I wore the wrong things."
My heart felt as though it were breaking.
I thought carefully before answering.
"Lily, there isn't a single dress, sweater, coat, or pair of shoes in the world that could make me stop loving you."