It was a Sunday evening when my phone rang. Ethan and I had let the kids spend the weekend at Margaret’s house because she’d insisted, and honestly, we needed the break.
When I saw Lily’s name on the screen, my heart jumped.
“Mommy?” Her small voice was shaking. “Can you come get us?”
“Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” I clutched the phone tighter, already grabbing my keys.
“Mom, Grandma is feeding us pizza crusts!” she whispered, like she was afraid someone would hear her. “But Sophie and Max got the real pizza. The fresh kind with all the cheese.”
My blood ran cold. “What do you mean, honey?”
“We were so hungry, Mommy. Jacob asked if we could have some too, but Grandma said we should be grateful for what we get. Sophie and Max laughed at us.”
“Why did you tell her!? Now we’re gonna get punished!” Jacob yelled in the background.
I could hear her trying not to cry, and it absolutely shattered me.
