Emily answered, “Mommy says she’s too fat to be pretty now. She doesn’t even want to be in our family pictures.”
My throat tightened.
Since my divorce, I’d gained weight, avoided mirrors, and criticized my appearance constantly.
I hadn’t realized my daughter was listening.
“Emily wanted to make you happy again,” Dad whispered.
“She asked if we could make a dress like the one your mother gave you.”
Linda picked up the pink fabric.
“Emily chose everything herself. She wanted you to wear it on your fortieth birthday.”
Tears filled my eyes.
“But why did she say you wanted her to show you something in your bedroom?”
Dad pointed toward the drawing.
“She was supposed to bring me her finished picture of you wearing the dress. We were keeping everything here so you wouldn’t find it.”
“And what about the things you said about her body?”
