Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 137077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
We finish cooking while Riley cleans up, and I studiously avoid making eye contact with her. But that doesn’t mean I don’t watch her. On the contrary, I’m hyperaware of every move she makes, responding to them on a visceral level despite trying to hide the way I’m tuned in to her.
Is she splashing water like she’s mad? Is that crinkle of her nose because she’s disgusted by me? What’s that look over her shoulder mean?
When we finally sit down, my nerves are frayed. I eat two tasty bites of pancakes, praising Grace for their perfect fluffiness and enjoying the way she preens, before hitting her with the hard questions.
“Riley gave me the quick version of what happened last night. You want to tell me the rest?”
Grace sighs and rolls her eyes. “Hannah was being mean. I called her out. Bella and Trinity did too. We left. The end.”
Okay, that’s not exactly ‘the rest’. That’s basically the same thing Riley told me, only with even fewer details. In fact, I’d say Grace is being overly concise. I meet Riley’s eyes and a thought occurs to me… Grace is coping with it the way I think Riley would. She dealt with it in the moment and isn’t dwelling on it now but is focusing on making and enjoying a delicious breakfast, which is all well and good, but not everything can be dismissed and moved past without dealing with it.
No shit, Sherlock.
But right now isn’t about me apologizing to Riley again. This is about Grace.
“Okay, let me go back,” I say, realizing I jumped ahead of myself. “First, I’m so proud of you for using our signal, and I’m very sorry I wasn’t able to come myself.”
“It’s okay.” She shrugs. “I just wanted out of there, and Riley took me for French fries.”
A bit of the guilt I feel over being incapacitated last night eases. But only the tiniest sliver.
“I’m glad you and Riley talked and you felt better by the time you got home.” Grace cuts her eyes to Riley and smiles shyly. “So, now what?”
Riley cuts in. “You said you were going to talk to Bella and Trinity, and Hannah and Megan today. Is that still the plan?”
Grace takes a too-big bite of pancakes, avoiding the question, and Riley gives her ‘really’ look. “Okay, school is in session then. Do you know what a girl’s girl is?”
I look at Riley, my eyes asking so many questions. Where is she going with this?
Grace swallows her mouthful in an audible gulp before shaking her head.
“A girl’s girl is the best kind of friend. One who will celebrate your successes, offer support during a down time, right your crown when it goes a little crooked, and have your back even when you’re not in the room. They build you up, lift you up, and want you to be your best. Does that sound like Hannah?”
Grace grimaces, twisting her lips together. “Not really. She says things I don’t like sometimes, but it’s usually about other people. Not me.”
Not expecting that, tension shoots through me.
Hannah has come over here, and Grace has gone to her house, so I’ve met the girl numerous times, and she’s always been giggly and sweet. I never would’ve considered her a ‘mean girl’, as Riley called her.
But obviously, I’m wrong.
How did I miss that?
The truth hits me hard. With the nannies doing pickups and drop-offs, and me not probing too deeply beyond ‘How was the sleepover?’ and ‘It was fun.’, I did miss this. And it pisses me off… at myself. Grace is my everything, but just as importantly, I’m all she has. Yes, my family is amazing, but ultimately, I’m her only parent and the one responsible for making sure she’s not being bullied by a friend.
While I’m busy having an existential crisis listing out my faults and failures, Riley’s full-throttle plowing ahead.
“Okay. Does it sound like you?” she asks gently. Grace is quiet for a moment, like the answer is hard for her to admit, so Riley bends down, getting in her line of sight. “There’s a right answer and a true answer. What’s the truth?”
Grace’s grimace deepens and she shakes her head.
“Oh, good!” Riley praises. Acting super-glad, she dramatically gushes, “Because if you had it all figured out at twelve, you’d be the first girl in the history of ever to do that. It’s good that you can be honest with yourself about things you still need to learn. It shows integrity on your part.”
Grace’s frown has started turning upside down into a smile as she straightens with pride, and I’m once again struck by the complete and utter magic Riley possesses.
“Remember how we talked about choosing your friends wisely because they rub off on you?” Riley says slowly, and I can tell she’s building up to something big. Grace nods. “Do you think you’ve maybe done or said some things that weren’t very nice too? To Hannah or maybe to other people?”