Page 57 of Remember Me

“Really?” Though she also loved my spaghetti casserole, my cooking skills have never been anything to write home about.

“Totally! It’s yumma-roo!” She tears off a small crusty bit and pretend-feeds it to Kangy. “Here, Kangy, you have some too.” Holding the morsel to the kangaroo’s mouth, she makes munching sounds.

“Does she like it?” I ask.

Grinning, Maddie nods the plush toy’s head. “Uh huh! A lot!! She wants more!” She “feeds” the kangaroo another bite.

“Drink your milk, sweetie,” I tell her.

“Mmm, chocolate milk! Kayla never lets me have chocolate milk.”

The mention of her name sends a chill to my skin. My blood runs cold in my veins.

“Why don’t you like her?” I ask, picturing my daughter’s tongue stuck out at Finn’s despicable fiancée.

Maddie blows bubbles with her straw and then looks up at me. “She’s super mean. I think she hates me.”

How could anyone not love this adorable, precocious, big-hearted child? “What makes you say that?”

“She yells at me a lot. And she never wants to play with me!” She pauses, making a face. “I wish she wasn’t marrying my daddy.”

So do I!My stomach twists and my heart clenches. “Why do you think your daddy likes her?”

Taking another bite of her grilled cheese, she shrugs. “Maybe because she’s pretty. But I don’t think so. She looks like the ugly old Barbie she gave me.”

Despite the ache in my chest, I can’t help but laugh at her barb. “Maddie, can I tell you a secret?”

Her eyes light up. I take that as a yes.

“I don’t like her either.”Skank.“And she’s really mean to me too.”

Maddie frowns, then smiles at me. “You’re the nicest person in the whole wide world. And the prettiest and smartest too.”

I’m touched by her words. And humbled. She looks at me earnestly.

“Scarlet, can I tellyoua secret?”

“Sure.”

“You promise not to tell anyone?”

I nod.

“Do you cross your heart and hope to die?”

At her last words, I inwardly tremble. I never want to be in death’s way again. Taken away from my husband and child. Eschewing her question, I give Maddie my word.

“I promise . . . not a soul.”

“Kangy and me . . . ”

“I,” I correct.

“Kangy andIwish my daddy was marrying you and you could be my new mommy.”

I’m speechless. Tears cluster in the back of my eyes.I AM your mommy.

The words ripping through my heart, I look down at Kangy. Solace. Taking the worn toy in my hand, I reach into her pouch. Nothing’s in it.

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