was angry or grateful.”
I moved closer.
“Now you know.”
She nodded as she watched Lily laugh with the team.
“I’ve been so jealous of him,” she whispered. “I sit beside her and feel useless. Then Aaron walks through the door, and she becomes herself again.”
I wrapped my arms around my friend.
For several moments, she resisted.
Then her body softened, and she began sobbing against my shoulder.
“We aren’t competing for her love,” I murmured. “You’re her mother. Nothing can replace that.”
“It feels as though I’m failing her.”
“You aren’t failing. You’re carrying what no parent should have to carry.”
She held on more tightly.
“I don’t know how to do this.”
“Neither do I,” I admitted. “But you don’t have to do it alone.”
Behind us, Lily called, “Mom?”
Diane quickly wiped her cheeks and turned.
Lily held out her hand.
“Come here. You need to
