“My 76-Year-Old Grandpa Took Me Into the Woods Every Day and Made Me Undress Until I Was Half-Naked. But One Day, My Mother Secretly Followed Us and Heard Strange Screams Coming From Deep Inside the Forest. When She Got Closer and Saw What We Were Actually Doing, Her Heart Couldn’t Take It. She Fell to Her Knees and Burst Into Tears…”

“I never wanted her to be frightened.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me what was happening?”

Grandpa opened his mouth, but my mother raised her hand.

“No more excuses. I’m taking Emily home.”

I caught her wrist gently.

“Mom, please wait.”

She turned toward me.

“Emily, you don’t have to protect anyone. If something has happened, you can tell me.”

“Nothing happened the way you think.”

“Then tell me what is happening!”

Before I could answer, Grandpa looked toward the opposite bank.

“Sarah, before you take her anywhere, please look over there.”

My mother didn’t move.

“I don’t care what’s over there.”

“Please,” he whispered. “Just look.”

There was something in his voice that made her hesitate.

Slowly, she turned her head.

On the opposite bank stood an old wooden bench beneath a large tree. Its paint had faded, and one of its legs had been repaired with fresh timber.