Chapter 4 - The Suitcase Beside Her Bed
“Going away where?”
Michael looked directly at Vanessa.
She didn't answer.
Molly glanced between them.
“To Aunt Lila's.”
Michael frowned.
“Since when?”
“Monday.”
Her little voice was matter-of-fact.
“Mommy said I'm going to have a new bedroom.”
I watched Vanessa press her fingers against her forehead.
“It's just a temporary arrangement.”
Luca turned.
“What arrangement?”
Vanessa looked toward Molly.
“Please don't do this in front of her.”
He glanced at the little girl.
Then lowered his voice.
“Mrs. Carter, would you stay with Molly for a few minutes?”
Molly caught my hand.
“Grace too?”
“Of course.”
I stayed beside her as Mrs. Carter brought a slice of bread with butter.
But I could still hear the adults.
Vanessa explained that her older sister Lila lived in Milwaukee.
Lila had a spare bedroom.
She'd offered to help when Vanessa's mother, Celia, became ill.
“That sounds like a family helping one another,” Luca said. “Why did you have to hide it?”
Vanessa looked miserable.
“Because I didn't know how to tell you everything.”
Michael stepped closer.
“Everything?”
She looked away.
“Don't.”
He stared at her.
“You told me Molly was visiting Lila for two weeks.”
Vanessa didn't answer.
“Vanessa?”
“I was going to figure out the rest.”
Luca's expression darkened.
“Figure out what?”
Vanessa folded her arms tightly.
“Where Molly would go after the wedding.”
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Michael looked as though he couldn't breathe.
“She's not a suitcase you can send somewhere until it's convenient.”
Vanessa turned on him.
“That's interesting coming from you.”
His face tightened.
“What does that mean?”
“You haven't visited her in almost three months.”
Michael lowered his eyes.
“I know.”
“You've had plenty of time for business dinners and your engagement.”
Evelyn stood beside the fireplace.
She didn't interrupt.
But I saw the hurt in her face.
Vanessa continued.
“You don't get to walk into this room and act like you've been raising her.”
Michael looked toward his daughter.
“I never said I had.”
That answer surprised me.
He wasn't defending himself.
Not entirely.
Then Mrs. Carter asked whether Molly wanted to wash her hands before dessert.
Molly nodded.
But before leaving, she tugged my sleeve.
“Can I get my yellow bag?”
“Of course, sweetheart.”
“It's upstairs.”
I looked toward Luca.
He nodded.
“Daniel can bring it down.”
A few minutes later, Daniel returned carrying a small yellow suitcase.
There was a stuffed rabbit attached to its handle.
One ear had been repaired with blue thread.
Molly smiled when she saw it.
“That's Buttons.”
She hugged the rabbit.
Then she opened the suitcase.
Inside were pajamas, two dresses, a toothbrush, a picture book, and a neatly folded pink coat.
Everything a child might need for a short visit.
Except there was something else.
A blue school folder.
Molly held it up.
“Mommy said I have to take this.”
Vanessa moved quickly.
“Molly, give me that.”
The little girl froze.
Her smile disappeared.
I felt her step closer.
Luca noticed immediately.
“Vanessa, stop.”
She lowered her hand.
He turned toward Molly.
“Sweetheart, you can keep your things.”
Molly looked relieved.
She tucked the folder back into her suitcase.
Then asked Mrs. Carter whether she could have strawberry ice cream.
Mrs. Carter smiled.
“I believe we can manage that.”
They moved to the far end of the room.
I stayed close enough that Molly could see me.
Luca turned to Vanessa.
“Why does she have school paperwork in a suitcase for a two-week visit?”
Vanessa's eyes filled.
“Because she might need to stay longer.”
“How much longer?”
“I don't know.”
Michael shook his head.
“You never asked me.”
“You never ask about anything anymore.”
“That isn't true.”
Vanessa looked at him.
“Then tell Luca the last time you took her to school.”
Michael went quiet.
She gave a sad little laugh.
“Exactly.”
Evelyn finally spoke.
“Michael, you told me you were trying to arrange regular visits.”
“I was.”
“Did you?”
He swallowed.
“No.”
Evelyn looked disappointed.
“You should've told me.”
Michael nodded.
“I know.”
She glanced toward Molly.
“I didn't know about the school transfer. And I certainly didn't know she was being locked away.”
Vanessa stared at her.
“You knew Michael had a daughter?”
“Since our third date.”
The room fell silent.
Evelyn continued.
“I asked him to introduce us when Molly was comfortable. I bought her a book for her birthday.”
Vanessa looked stunned.
“You weren't upset?”
“About him having a child? No.”
“Even with me?”
Evelyn looked directly at her.
“Children don't become less important because their parents stop loving each other.”
Vanessa's face crumpled.
For the first time, I realized she'd made a terrible assumption.
She'd believed everyone would treat Molly the way she was treating her.
As a problem that needed hiding.
Luca turned toward his fiancée.
“Vanessa, did you ever ask whether I would welcome Molly?”
She said nothing.
“You knew how I felt about children.”
Tears slipped down her cheeks.
“I thought knowing who her father was would change everything.”
Luca glanced toward Michael.
“It certainly changes how much I trust the two of you.”
Vanessa lowered her head.
I looked toward Molly.
She was sitting beside Mrs. Carter, carefully removing a spoonful of ice cream from its bowl.
Seven years old.
And everybody was discussing where she belonged.
As though she'd never had a home to begin with.
I walked over.
“Molly, sweetheart, do you like school?”
She nodded.
“I like my teacher.”
“What's her name?”
“Mrs. Collins.”
“Will you miss her?”
Molly looked puzzled.
“Mommy said I can't go back.”
My stomach tightened.
“Why?”
“Because the new school doesn't know me.”
She glanced toward Vanessa.
Then lowered her voice.
“Grace?”
“Yes, honey?”
May you like
Her eyes filled.
“At my new school, do I have to tell everybody Aunt Vanessa is my mommy?”
