But then Lily said something that stayed in my mind.
We were alone in the kitchen when she walked close to me and lowered her voice.
“Mom?”
“Yes?”
She looked toward the hallway before speaking.
“If Mike tells us not to tell you something, is that bad?”
I stopped cutting vegetables.
“What do you mean?”
She immediately looked nervous.
“Nothing.”
“Lily, what did Mike tell you not to tell me?”
She stared at the floor.
“I can’t say. I promised.”
Every instinct inside me suddenly woke up.
I crouched down so we were at the same height.
“You never have to keep a secret from me if something makes you uncomfortable.”
She shook her head quickly.
“It doesn’t make me uncomfortable.”
“Then what is it?”
She hesitated.
“He just says it has to stay between the three of us until everything is ready.”
“The three of you?”
She nodded.
Before I could ask anything else, Mike walked into the kitchen.
