Every time I had a conflict, I was expected to solve it myself.
I looked at her and said, “You’ll figure something out.”
Her eyes widened.
“Excuse me?”
“You’re Sophie’s mother. You have a car. You can drive her, arrange a carpool, ask another parent, or change your schedule. Those are the same choices every other parent has.”
“You make it sound so simple.”
“It isn’t always simple. But it is your responsibility.”
Vanessa looked away.
For the first time since I had known her, she seemed to have no immediate response.
Then Sophie stepped forward.
“Mom?”
Vanessa turned sharply.
“What?”
Sophie swallowed.
“Am I not riding with you anymore?”
Vanessa’s expression softened slightly.
“Of course you’re riding with me.”
Sophie looked down.
“I mean, is Emma mad at me? Are we still friends?”
Emma immediately walked down the porch steps.
“No, Sophie. I’m not mad at you.”
She took Sophie’s hand.
