A Mother's Promise

“I know.” Lisa didn’t move.

“Lisa…”

“Yes, I’m going.”

She rose, gave Cecily one last gentle kiss, then marched out. “I’ll be back Thursday afternoon.”

Aunt Katherine’s voice took on its usual caustic tone as she followed Lisa toward the front door. “Yes, I expect you will. But be on time, please. And you can’t spoil the child by bringing her presents each time you come. That’ll have to stop.”

Lisa stopped walking. She slowly turned to stare at Aunt Katherine. The woman would never cease trying to run Lisa’s life. And she wanted permanent custody of Cecily?

Aunt Katherine had said nothing further about the custody issue. Maybe she’d dropped the idea.

Lisa clamped her mouth on a sharp retort. If she wasn’t careful, her aunt’s vindictive attitude could be catching. But now was not the time to challenge her.

“I’ll stop after a time, Aunt Katherine. You are quite right, Cecily would come to expect them. I won’t spoil her.”

The older woman stared at Lisa with suspicion. She didn’t seem mollified by Lisa’s quiet capitulation. It only made her leery.

Keep calm…give her a reasonable answer….

Lisa cleared her throat and continued. “But just now, I want to give my daughter everything I can. I’ve been apart from her for eighteen months. I’ve missed eighteen months of her life. Can’t you understand, Aunt Katherine? I can afford only little gifts now. I can’t give her a home, or food, or clothing or…or…the things you’ve given her for those eighteen months. You needn’t be jealous.”

“I…jealous?” Aunt Katherine’s mouth set in hard lines, and her voice became icy. “You mistake me, my girl. I am not jealous. What have I to be jealous about? But I warn you, Lisa. Don’t give Cecily any more presents. It will be hard on the child when you stop. And I’ll throw them out if you do.”

Throw them out? Aunt Katherine would do it, too. She could be that mean, never giving a thought to how it might affect Cecily.

Lisa had to be careful not to give her aunt further reason to fight her return.

“All right, Aunt Katherine.” Lisa kept her tone even. She’d made a mistake in implying jealousy. Her aunt didn’t admit to such an emotion in herself. “I’ll…see you Thursday.”

Giving in to Aunt Katherine’s demands galled Lisa. Just as in the old days, it would be hard to keep her anger down. But she must behave with the utmost care now. She didn’t dare stir her aunt to greater ire.

Yet Aunt Katherine’s threat lingered.

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