His Mother, My Vengeance

evening to a house

n the living room with Lily, building a tower of blocks. She was laughin

I could hear him talking to his mother in low, murmuring tones. A few mi

talk to you in

nd. Not

Lily a kiss on the head. "Mommy wi

ured. Martha was sitting at the table, dabbing at her eyes with a

through the doorw

told me everything. You screamed at her?

heard his mother's side of the story and accepted

aid simply

k of defense. He was expecting me to g

cookie, for God's sake. You're turning

, a cookie full of peanuts, Mark," I said, my voice even. "The 'drama,' as you

my own granddaughter! I just don't believe in all thi

ot even looking at her. My eyes were locked o

ace was red. "You will not speak to my mother that way in our

ger, his complete dismissal of my legitimate fears, his blind loyalty

fueled the ic

l. A brick wall that his mother had built and ma

ooked down at the floor. I ma

ght, Mark.

ggressive stance softened. Martha stopped her

ice. "When I saw the peanuts, I didn't think. I just reacted. I'm so sor

she felt she was owed. "Well. As long as

out it all. The doctors make it sound so serious." I looked at

look on his face. He had won. He had p

one of patronizing authority. "That's b

orry for my outburst this mornin

yal pardon. She felt powerful, vindicated. And that's exac

ound my shoulders. "Was that so hard

ctable. So easi

eable. I let Martha dominate the conversation. I let Mark lecture me on the

lectured me on everything from how I loaded the dishwasher to the

nner when she came out of the

ng," she announced, "I saved the cooki

ttle jump, but I k

t-laced cookies. My eyes flickered to Mark. He was on his ph

ing over to him. "He can eat them. I'm sure he's

e, I would have leaped up, started another fight

t. I just kept placing th

ne, a lazy smile on his fac

ner, pulled out a large co

s mouth full. "Just l

mild pean

arried. It gave him terrible stomach cramps and hives. He avoided peanuts completely. But he h

him take a

ion of pure, unadulterated triumph. She thought s

all, knowing smile that sh

mes begin,