Hannah handed her a small bowl of frosting and a spoon.
For the next twenty minutes, they worked together. Lily placed the chocolate butterflies on the cake, carefully positioning each one as though she were arranging precious jewels.
Then she stepped back.
“It looks like a fairy garden.”
“It does.”
“Do you think Grandma will like it?”
Hannah’s hand paused.
“Why do you ask?”
Lily shrugged.
“Grandma says things are better when they’re expensive.”
Hannah set down her spatula.
“Sweetheart, something doesn’t have to cost a lot to be special.”
Lily considered that.
“Like the picture I drew for Daddy?”
“Exactly like that.”
Lily smiled and returned to her butterflies.
Hannah watched her for a moment, wondering when her daughter had started measuring the value of things through someone else’s approval.
She made a silent promise to protect that little smile for as long as she could.
By ten thirty, the house was ready.
Pink and gold balloons floated beside the windows. A long table held sandwiches, fruit, cupcakes, and bowls of candy. Eight small chairs surrounded a table decorated with paper butterflies.
Lily’s friends began arriving shortly after eleven.
For the first hour, everything was wonderful.
Children played in the backyard, chased bubbles across the lawn, and laughed over a treasure hunt Hannah had organized.
Daniel took pictures while Hannah served food.
Then Margaret arrived.
She wore a cream-colored designer suit and carried an enormous handbag.
Behind her came Daniel’s younger sister, Vanessa, dressed in a fitted white blouse and expensive heels.
Margaret surveyed the decorations before greeting her granddaughter.
“Goodness,” she said. “You certainly used a lot of pink.”
Lily smiled hopefully.
