My mother often told me, “Don’t sit on Grandpa’s lap.” I never understood why. One day, I didn’t listen to her and sat down anyway. Grandpa smiled, leaned close to my ear, and whispered, “Can you come sleep beside me tonight?”

My aunt said something I couldn’t hear.

Mom answered,

“He said it to Lily.”

Silence.

“Yes.”

Another pause.

“Tonight.”

I leaned forward.

Then Mom said something that made my heart pound.

“I knew this day was coming.”

I didn’t sleep much that night.

Every sound in the house seemed louder.

The refrigerator.

The heating pipes.

A car passing outside.

At around eleven o’clock, the doorbell rang.

Mom went downstairs.

I followed quietly.

It was Grandpa.

He stood on the porch wearing his dark coat.

He looked tired.

Very tired.

Mom opened the door but didn’t invite him in.

“Dad, why are you here?”

“I came for Lily.”

Mom’s face hardened.

“No.”

Grandpa looked at her calmly.

“Sarah.”

“No.”

“You know why I’m here.”

“You should be resting.”

“I have rested enough.”

“She is nine.”

“I know exactly how old she is.”

“She doesn’t understand what’s happening.”

“Then maybe she should.”

Mom’s eyes filled with tears.

“You can’t do this.”

Grandpa looked past her.

I was standing on the stairs.

He saw me.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then he smiled.

That same gentle smile.

“Hello, little bird.”

My mother turned.

“Lily, go upstairs.”

I didn’t move.

Grandpa looked at my mother.